Roma, Tottenham and Atletico dominate best rated XI from last 16 Champions League ties
Now the round-of-16 first legs of the Champions League are done and dusted, it gives us the perfect opportunity to take stock and run through the best rated XI, with additional information about their Football INDEX share prices.
Goalkeeper: Anthony Lopes (Lyon) - 7.99 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.71
Lyon equalled the Champions League record for successive draws (six) in Tuesday’s stalemate with Barcelona. The French giants crucially did not concede an away goal to Barcelona and have goalkeeper Anthony Lopes to thank. The 28-year-old made five saves, won one aerial duel and successfully claimed one cross.
Left-back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) - 9.34 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.97
With neither Danny Rose nor Ben Davies fit enough to start against Borussia Dortmund, Jan Vertonghen was required at left wing-back and the 31-year-old flourished for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Vertonghen played a direct hand in two of the three goals Tottenham scored, setting up the first of the night with a David Beckham-esque cross before doubling their lead with seven minutes of normal time remaining with a well-taken finish.
Centre-back: Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid) - 8.04 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.21
Diego Godin has given Juventus a mountain to climb if they want to remain in the Champions League after scoring Atletico Madrid’s second unanswered goal on Wednesday. Atletico ran out 2-0 winners after a dominant display against Juventus. Godin made two tackles, made one clearance and blocked one Juventus shot to help Atletico keep yet another clean sheet at home in the Champions League
Centre-back: Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) - 8.07 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.45
Jose Gimenez netted Atletico Madrid’s first goal against Juventus after reacting quickest to a loose ball in the penalty area to cap off a superb evening for the 24-year-old. The Atletico defender made eight clearances, two interceptions and completed one tackle and played a huge part in keeping the likes of Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic quiet for the away side. Gimenez also won two fouls to alleviate the pressure around their penalty area.
Right-back: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) - 7.82 rating
Football INDEX share price - £2.37
Dani Carvajal had to dig in deep at times when Ajax were attacking down his side but his perseverance paid off, as he supplied the assist for Real Madrid’s match-winner in the 87th-minute. The Spain international made seven tackles and interceptions combined and also blocked one shot to help Madrid secure a vital away win over their Dutch counterparts. Despite having a lot of defending to do, he still managed to get forward and registered three key passes in total.
Left midfield: Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain) - 8.08 rating
Football INDEX share price - £2.02
Angel Di Maria supplied two assists in seven blistering second-half minutes to all but wrap up the tie for Paris Saint-Germain against former club Manchester United. The Argentine endured a difficult first half on his first return to Old Trafford since leaving United in 2015 but had the last laugh, assisting both Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe. Di Maria registered three key passes in total, had two shots and even made two tackles and interceptions combined.
Centre midfield: Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma) - 8.31 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.91
Lorenzo Pellegrini is one of three Roma players in the best rated XI after playing an integral part in their 2-1 first leg win at home to Porto. The Italy international tested Iker Casillas with three of his four shots on target and also registered five key passes. He also won four aerial duels, completed three dribbles and made as many tackles and interceptions combined.
Centre midfield: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) - 8.35 rating
Football INDEX share price - £4.74
Christian Eriksen has now played a direct hand in three goals in Tottenham’s last two matches after registering an assist in their 3-0 win over Dortmund. The Denmark international whipped in the corner from which Tottenham scored their third of the night, which should put the tie beyond their German counterparts. The 27-year-old created four goalscoring chances in total and even fired off five shots.
Right midfield: Nicolo Zaniolo (Roma) - 8.98 rating
Football INDEX share price - £5.48
Nicolo Zaniolo has spent the season operating centrally behind the striker and his display against Porto was another huge tick against the youngster’s name. Deployed in an unfamiliar role on the right hand side of attack, the 19-year-old scored both of Roma’s goals to give them a slender advantage heading into the second leg. Zaniolo also made three tackles and interceptions combined, drew Porto goalkeeper Casillas into another save and won four fouls for the Italian side.
Striker: Edin Dzeko (Roma) - 7.91 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.75
Edin Dzeko supplied the assist for Zaniolo’s first and was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet himself when his low drive cannoned back off the post, though into Zaniolo’s path for his and Roma’s second of the night. Dzeko won six aerial duels up against Porto’s defence, completed two dribbles and won three fouls.
Striker: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 7.68 rating
Football INDEX share price - £16.64
Kylian Mbappe all but killed the tie for Manchester United after scoring Paris Saint-Germain’s second away goal at Old Trafford. There was more pressure on the youngster’s shoulders with Neymar and Edinson Cavani both sidelined but the 20-year-old delivered. He demonstrated his frightening speed to rip through United’s centre-backs and slide in his fourth goal in seven Champions League matches this season.
