Our Champions League Team of the Week following the fifth round of group stage fixtures, featuring names from Liverpool, Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven.
Goalkeeper: Dmytro Riznyk – Shakhtar Donetsk
You’ve got to feel for Dmytro Riznyk. The goalkeeper had the game of his life as Shakhtar Donetsk took on PSV Eindhoven, only to see the Ukrainian side blow a 2-0 lead to lose late on. PSV struck three times after the 87th minute to snatch a 3-2 win, finally finding a route past the inspired Riznyk.
The 25-year-old made a mammoth 15 saves in Eindhoven, a record in the Champions League, and prevented an xG of 1.75. It was late heartbreak after his heroics.
Right-back: Marcos Llorente – Atletico Madrid
Llorente has done a fine job in filling a full-back role for Atleti this season. Though not his favoured position, he was no less effective as Atletico ran riot to win 6-0 at Sparta Prague. A player who can – and does – do it all for Diego Simeone, Llorente scored one, recorded two assists, created three chances and won 100% of his tackles (4/4). All-action.
Marcos Llorente vs Sparta:
– 1 goal
– 2 assists
– Playing as a right back
Incredible. pic.twitter.com/x43N3GFm0I
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) November 27, 2024
Centre-back: Kim Min-jae – Bayern Munich
After a mixed first season with Bayern, Kim Min-jae is beginning to live up to his ‘Monster’ nickname in Munich. The South Korean has been a standout this season and leads all centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for passes (1108) and forward passes (494).
Against PSG, he helped Bayern to a crucial 1-0 win, scoring the decisive goal and performing excellently alongside Dayot Upamecano en route to a clean sheet.
Centre-back: Gabriel – Arsenal
Just how do you stop him? Get the delivery right and there’s a good chance Gabriel will come crashing onto the end of it. The big Brazilian scored in Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing of Sporting Lisbon with a trademark header while battling well to combat the threat of the free-scoring Viktor Gyokeres. The Gunners are looking back to their best.
Left-back: Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen
A fine night’s work for one of the most effective wing-backs in world football. Alejandro Grimaldo scored a fantastic free-kick in Bayer Leverkusen’s 5-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg, the highlight of another delightful display. He won four tackles, 5/7 of his defensive duels and created four chances as Leverkusen cruised to a big win.
Midfield: Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool
The best player on the pitch as Liverpool maintained their perfect start with a 2-0 win over Real Madrid. Mac Allister relished his battle with Jude Bellingham, carved out good opportunities for Darwin Nunez and Conor Bradley, and barely misplaced a pass all evening. The Argentine took his opening goal in fine style to set Liverpool on their way to a statement win over the holders.
😛🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/CtT1DqABDT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 28, 2024
Midfield: Malik Tillman – PSV Eindhoven
Malik Tillman is emerging as one of the breakout stars of this season’s Champions League. The 22-year-old has three goals and two assists in five appearances this season after netting a brace in PSV’s comeback win against Shakhtar Donetsk. The USA international’s equaliser was a cracker, blasted in from distance to level late on. His profile is one that is sure to attract interest from Europe’s top clubs.
Midfield: Charles De Keteleare – Atalanta
After failing to make the grade at AC Milan, Charles De Keteleare has found an ideal environment in which to flourish at Atalanta. The 23-year-old had himself a night against Young Boys this week after becoming the first player in Champions League history to score twice and provide three assists in the same fixture. The potential is clear.
Forward: Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
Someone, very soon, is going to break the bank for Florian Wirtz.
The German made it five goals in five Champions League appearances this season with a brace in Bayer Leverkusen’s 5-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg, while he’s collected the man-of-the-match award in four of those fixtures. Full of invention and goal threat, he brought up 50 competitive goals for Leverkusen this week. A reminder that he’s still just 21.
Florian Wirtz is magic 🪄#B04SAL pic.twitter.com/yrp15PlFew
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) November 27, 2024
Forward: Mateo Retegui – Atalanta
Mateo Retegui is having himself a season at Atalanta with the summer signing having hit the ground running. The leading scorer in Serie A with 12 goals in 13 games, he netted his first European goals with a brace against Young Boys this week.
Forward: Julian Alvarez – Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez produced arguably his best performance in an Atletico Madrid shirt this week to lead the Spanish side to a six-goal thrashing of Sparta Prague. He scored twice, including a fabulous free-kick that left the goalkeeper motionless, to extend his record to nine goals in 20 games since arriving from Manchester City in the summer.
Julian Alvarez with a BEAUTY 😍#UCL | #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/7EExxULV2F
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 27, 2024
Read – Champions League Awards – King Charles, Man City crumble
See more – Slot delighted as Liverpool beat ‘pain in the ass’ Real Madrid
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