Champions League Team of the Week: Musso, Mendes and Kane Among Quarter-Final First Leg Stars
Tom Hancock
The first legs of the Champions League quarter-finals produced plenty of impressive individual performances.
Here, we run through the very best of them, with the players who made it into LiveScore’s Team of the Week.
Juan Musso – Atletico Madrid
Deputising for the injured Jan Oblak between the sticks, Juan Musso played a key role in Diego Simeone finally getting his first managerial win at Camp Nou – at the 19th attempt.
The Argentine made seven saves as Atletico Madrid determinedly warded off the attacks of 10-man Barcelona to triumph 2-0 on the night, finishing the game with a total of 0.77 goals prevented.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Real Madrid
He ended up on the losing side, but Trent Alexander-Arnold helped Real Madrid stay in the tie against Bayern Munich.
Completing successive 90 minutes for the first time since November, the England international provided an assist for the third game running, delivering a fine low cross for Kylian Mbappe to halve Bayern’s 2-0 lead at the Bernabeu.
Marquinhos – PSG
Leading by example as usual, Marquinhos captained Champions League holders PSG to a dominant 2-0 first-leg win over Liverpool at the Parc des Princes.
An integral component of Luis Enrique’s side in and out of possession, the Brazil star found a teammate with 80 of his 84 passes and won two of his three aerial duels.
Willian Pacho – PSG
Marquinhos’ centre-back partner Willian Pacho enjoyed a very similar night to his defensive colleague.
The Ecuadorian was accurate with 66 out of 70 passes and won two out of two aerial duels, as well as making a match-high seven clearances.
Nuno Mendes – PSG
As PSG kept Liverpool at bay, their left-back turned in a typically potent attacking performance to help keep the pressure on the visitors.
Nuno Mendes created three chances for his team – including two big chances – and was on the money with three long balls out of three.
Declan Rice – Arsenal
En route to a dramatic late victory at Sporting CP, Arsenal’s standout midfielder was once again Declan Rice.
The 27-year-old covered more ground than any other midfielder on the pitch (11.2km), completed all but one of his 68 passes and carved out two chances.
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
Barcelona couldn’t find a way through Atletico Madrid’s robust rearguard action on the night, but Lamine Yamal could just be the difference-maker if they are to overturn the 2-0 deficit in the second leg.
Lively as ever, the 18-year-old had four shots – including one on target and two blocked – and created three further chances.
Vitinha – PSG
PSG’s midfield linchpin, Vitinha attempted a whopping 139 passes against Liverpool – and only missed the mark with three of them.
The Portugal international enjoyed 147 touches of the ball overall, attempting 13 passes into the final third and recovering possession on five occasions.
Julian Alvarez – Atletico Madrid
Thriving with Atletico Madrid, Julian Alvarez made it seven goal contributions in five appearances with a stunning free-kick to give his side the lead against Barcelona.
A menace throughout the game, the 26-year-old Argentine attempted six dribbles – and completed five of them.
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Harry Kane was already having the best season of his career in front of goal, and the England captain is now just one goal away from hitting 50 this term.
And his strike to put Bayern Munich 2-0 away to Real Madrid was emblematic of his quality: a powerfully curled low effort from 20 yards which gave Andriy Lunin no chance.
Kai Havertz – Arsenal
Arsenal’s late saviour in the Champions League for the second round running, Kai Havertz came off the bench to down Sporting CP with a 91st-minute winner.
It was the German’s only shot, but it was the only one he needed to clinch a morale-boosting triumph for the Gunners in Lisbon.
