In-form Lewa leads Barcelona quartet in Champions League best XI
With the second week of Champions League Round of 16 first-leg ties complete, we take a look at the standout performers in our team of the week, with Barcelona the dominant side. Also included in the XI are players from Napoli, Porto, Inter and Borussia Dortmund.
Napoli stopper Alex Meret earns the title of the highest rated goalkeeper in the Champions League this week after his efforts in the 1-1 draw with Barcelona on Wednesday evening. Meret was forced into making five saves, while he also recorded a pass success rate of 76%, to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.27.
Perhaps the surprise of the week came at the Estadio do Dragao, where FC Porto claimed victory over Arsenal after Galeno’s 94th-minute strike found the bottom corner. Porto’s defensive effort was immense, and right-back Joao Mario played a huge part in denying Arsenal a shot on target for the first time this season. The 24-year-old won two aerial duels, made five tackles and two clearances to help himself to a WhoScored rating of 7.07.
Joining Joao Mario in defence is Porto teammate Otavio, who made his first Champions League appearance of the season in the win over Arsenal, and the 21-year-old looked right at home alongside Pepe. Otavio provided the assist for Galeno’s 94th-minute winner, while he also made two tackles, two blocks and two clearances to take home a WhoScored rating of 7.09.
Alessandro Bastoni (Inter) - 7.09
Serie A leaders Inter kept a third successive Champions League clean sheet when they edged out Atletico Madrid at the San Siro on Tuesday night. Crucial in keeping the visitors at bay, as ever, was 24-year-old centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who made three interceptions, one key pass and six accurate long balls, while maintaining a pass success rate of 87.9%, to land a WhoScored rating of 7.09.
Joao Cancelo (Barcelona) - 7.57
Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo continues to excel in the Champions League for Barcelona this season, and though his performance against Napoli earns him a spot in the team of the week, it is actually only his fifth-highest rated in the competition for the Blaugrana. Against the Italian champions, Cancelo made one tackle, four interceptions, two clearances, one key pass and five successful dribbles to return a WhoScored rating of 7.57.
Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund) - 8.00
Dutch attacker Donyell Malen returned to haunt former club PSV when he opened the scoring against the Eredivisie leaders on Tuesday evening, that his first goal in the Champions League this season. The 25-year-old found the net with one of five attempts on goal, while he also made three successful dribbles and was fouled on two occasions on his way to a WhoScored rating of 8.00, the best of any player in the competition this week.
Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella made only his third start in the Champions League this season in the win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but his presence may have proved crucial for the hosts. Barella put in an all-round performance in the middle of the park, making four tackles, one interception, one block and four key passes to register a WhoScored rating of 7.67.
Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona) - 7.10
Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan earns a place in our XI after his display against Napoli on Wednesday. The German midfielder fire off four shots on goal, while he also made one interception, three key passes and one successful dribble to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.10.
Keeping with the theme of Barcelona midfielders, Pedri joins Gundogan in the team of the week after he provided the assist for Robert Lewandowski to put the visitors ahead at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Pedri, who played in a wide-left role, also made three tackles, one interception, two key passes and one successful dribble to post a WhoScored rating of 7.64.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) - 7.71
Barcelona’s goalscorer on the night was Robert Lewandowski, and that strike saw the 35-year-old net for the fourth successive match across all competitions. The former Bayern Munich star gave his side the lead with one of four attempts on goal, while he also made one key pass, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.71.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter) - 7.48
Serie A’s top goalscorer Lautaro Martinez may not have been on target against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but his performance earns him a place in our best XI. As he often does, the Argentina international made a nuisance of himself as he fired off a total of seven shots, won four aerial duels, made one successful dribble and won five fouls to take home a WhoScored rating of 7.48.
