Foden outshines rest in star-studded Champions League quarter-final best XI

The Champions League quarter-finals came to a close this week with the second legs played out but in truth the damage from the week previous proved irreversible for Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and FC Porto.

Real Madrid will play Manchester City, while PSG will face Chelsea in two mouth watering semi-finals and, as one might expect, all four are represented in our Champions League Team of the quarter-finals, with just one inclusion from the eliminated quartet. The following is the top rated XI to have made an appearance in both legs.

Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain) - 7.69

After he was forced off at the weekend, Mauricio Pochettino will have been sweating on the fitness of his first choice keeper but Navas was fit to start as PSG welcomed Bayern and played another important role. He may have conceded three goals over the two legs but the Costa Rican produced 14 saves - well clear of the other seven keepers during the round - to ensure the Parisians exacted revenge on their victors from the final last year.

Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) - 7.31

Despite being a late sub in the first leg, Valverde makes the lineup at right-back thanks to a superb, man of the match performance out of position at Anfield. Indeed, in the absence of Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal, Valverde's inclusion at the expense of the more natural replacement in Alvaro Odriozola came as a surprise but proved a masterstroke from Zinedine Zidane. The young Uruguayan looked like he'd been playing there his whole career, even producing a record of nine interceptions in a single Champions League game this season.

Eder Militao (Real Madrid) - 7.41

Another player who would have unlikely have featured were it not for injuries to both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Militao's assured displays will have gone a long way to cementing his future in Madrid. It's been a tough time in the Spanish capital for the Brazilian in large parts but he excelled in both legs against Liverpool to prove that he does have the potential to be a long term successor to either Ramos or Varane, producing six clearances, three blocks and two tackles to keep the Reds at bay at Anfield.

Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich) - 7.22

Another player that hasn't been wholly convincing since a huge money move to Bayern, Hernandez has started predominantly at left-back this season, as he did in the first leg defeat to PSG, but was sensational in his favoured centre-back role in Paris. The Frenchman produced seven tackles to keep the hosts at bay but his attacking counterparts couldn't quite do enough at the opposite end to reward the 25-year-old's defensive heroics.

Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) - 7.59

Justifying his inclusion as the more dependable option on the left ahead of Marcos Alonso in both legs, Chilwell scored a crucial late goal in the first fixture that ultimately proved decisive over two legs against FC Porto. Over the course of the quarter-finals he produced five tackles, five interceptions and completed three dribbles to prove his ability to play at the highest level, which was perhaps still a minor question mark ahead of the Euros this summer.

Casemiro (Real Madrid) - 7.47

If his two teammates in this XI were somewhat enforced inclusions in Zidane's quarter-final thinking, Casemrio is arguably the first name on the teamsheet for the big occasion. Karim Benzema would likely have something to say about that but the Brazilian is just so consistent in what he does and that, primarily is to disrupt the opponent's rhythm. He did so to expert levels in both legs against Liverpool, with a high of 12 tackles during the quarter-finals, along with six clearances and three interceptions.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 7.87

The first of a Man City trio in the lineup, while they looked to be in trouble in Dortmund, Pep Guardiola's side were ultimately the only team to win both legs of their quarter-final, with De Bruyne playing a typically pivotal role. Having opened the scoring from midfield in the first leg, the Belgian operated as a false nine in Germany and led by example from the front. He came desperately close to scoring, striking the woodwork with one of five shots, while completing five dribbles and two tackles as the favourites came from behind.

Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) - 7.91

Something of an unsung hero at City, Mahrez stepped up to be counted by converting a crucial penalty in the second half at Dortmund that swung the tie back in his sides favour. That having registered the assist for the late match winner in the home leg, which was one of seven chances created over the two games, saw the Algerian earn his place in the side and further cemented his status as first choice on the flanks right now.

Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 8.46

The player of the round in the Champions League quarter-finals, Phil Foden is not only performing at the highest level at 20 but outperforming the competition. The City slicker was the only player to score in both legs, netting late winners in each against Dortmund, and the only player to earn both man of the match ratings available to him. On top of his invaluable strikes the youngster had six shots, completed five dribbles, created four chances and even completed six tackles, proving that he really does have it all.

Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) - 7.67

There were shades of the knockout stages last year to Neymar's quarter-final performances, missing a number of chances to ensure PSG were more comfortable but still appearing levels above his esteemed opposition at times. The Brazilian registered two assists in the first leg win in Munich and despite failing to convert his six shots in the reverse fixture - hitting the woodwork twice - he was a constant thread over the course of the round, creating five chances, completing seven dribbles and winning 11 fouls.
 
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 7.55

Having booked a place in the final four for the second season running, Mbappe will now also have his eyes firmly set on usurping the now eliminated Erling Haaland in pursuit of the Golden Boot. The France star notched twice in Munich to take his tally to eight goals in the competition and move just two shy of the Norwegian, whilst completing five dribbles across the two legs and proving a constant counter-attacking threat to the holders.