Manchester United target Haaland makes Champions League best XI

 

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona) - 8.23 rating 

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In a match that promised goals, Barcelona held Borussia Dortmund to a 0-0 draw in Germany on Tuesday, and that was made possible by Bluagrana shotstopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Barcelona number one made four saves in the stalemate, including a second half penalty stop to deny Marco Reus, and was quick enough to claim the ball when it looked as though it had dropped kindly for the Dortmund captain on the rebound. With a 92.3% pass success rate to boot, Ter Stegen makes our first Champions League team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 8.23. 

 

Right-back: Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) - 8.39 rating 

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Atletico Madrid fought from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Juventus in a barnstorming encounter in Madrid as they saved face in front of their own fans. It took a late Hector Herrera goal to salvage a point at the Wanda Metropolitano with Kieran Trippier providing the assist for his fellow summer arrival. That assist came from one of seven key passes, that more than any other player this week, while three clearances and one tackle saw the England international return a WhoScored rating of 8.39. 

 

Centre-back: Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) - 8.49 rating 

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The sole Borussia Dortmund representative in the best XI this week, Mats Hummels put in an imperious performance at the heart of the BVB backline. The 30-year-old was rarely troubled in the air, winning one of one aerial duel contested, but dealt with attacks on the ground with ease as Hummels chipped in with nine clearances, eight interceptions and four tackles to make the best XI with a WhoScored rating of 8.49. 

 

Centre-back: Joel Veltman (Ajax) - 8.45 rating 

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Partnering Hummels at the heart of the defence with a WhoScored rating of 8.45 is Joel Veltman. The Dutchman is the first of three Ajax stars to make the cut in the best XI this week following their comfortable 3-0 win over Lille. Veltman returned a 96.8% pass success rate from his 62 passes against the French outfit, and won five aerial duels. Additional returns of eight clearances, five tackles and three interceptions secured the 27-year-old his spot in this XI and ensured a clean sheet for the Dutch powerhouse. 

 

Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax) - 10.0 rating 

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Manchester United target Haaland makes Champions League best XI

 

The Champions League player of the week and one of two players to land a perfect 10 rating, Nicolas Tagliafico put in a fine performance for Ajax as he scored one from two shots and assisted another from two key passes. Defensively sound, too, the Argentine made more tackles and interceptions combined (16) than any other player in the first round of Champions League matches in a stunning performance for the defending Eredivisie champions. 

 

Right midfield: Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb) - 9.32 rating 

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Dinamo Zagreb romped to a resounding 4-0 win over Champions League debutants Atalanta to kick off their campaign with a bang. The victory was made possible by man of the match Mislav Orsic, who earned a WhoScored rating of 9.32 against the Italian outfit, with his hat-trick coming from six shots. One successful dribble also contributed to such a fine rating for the 26-year-old. 

 

Central midfield: Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich) - 9.14 rating 

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Bayern Munich began their Champions League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over FK Crvena Zvezda, but in truth, the score margin should have been higher. Milan Borjan made more saves (7) than any other goalkeeper in this round of fixtures, in a game that Thiago Alcantara secured the man of the match gong. The Spaniard gained a WhoScored rating of 9.14 having provided the assist for Thomas Muller’s late strike, that coming from one of two key passes, while seven tackles and three interceptions was a fine return for the midfielder. 

 

Central midfield: Edson Alvarez (Ajax) - 8.72 rating

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The third and final Ajax player to feature in the Champions League best XI of the week, Edson Alvarez netted their second goal in the opening stages of the second half, that coming from one of three shots from the Mexican. The 21-year-old managed a 90.7% pass success rate over the 90 minutes, while four tackles and two interceptions contributed to the youngster’s WhoScored rating of 8.72.

 

Left midfield: Angel Di Maria (PSG) - 9.04 rating

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Angel Di Maria landed his third WhoScored man of the match award in as many appearances as he managed a WhoScored rating of 9.04 from PSG’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid. The Argentine netted twice in the opening 45 minutes, including a stunning strike from distance to double PSG’s advantage, with his brace coming from three shots. Four successful dribbles and two key passes helped push Di Maria’s rating so high to feature in the best XI.

 

Manchester United target Haaland makes Champions League best XI

 

Striker: Erling Haaland (Salzburg) - 9.44 rating

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It’s an all Salzburg front two to finish the best XI this week with highly rated frontman Erling Haaland good value for his spot in this side. The 19-year-old enjoyed a superb Champions League debut, becoming the first teenager since Wayne Rooney in 2004 to bag a hat-trick on his first appearance in the competition. Impressively, Haaland’s hat-trick came from three shots, as the Salzburg star secured a WhoScored rating of 9.44.

 

Striker: Hwang Hee-Chan (Salzburg) - 10.0 rating

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Haaland’s partner in crime Hwang Hee-Chan completes the best XI with the 23-year-old yielding a WhoScored rating of 10.0 from his man of the match display against Genk. Hwang had a direct hand in three goals, scoring one and assisting two, that the most by a South Korean player in a single game in the competition’s history. Four shots, three key passes and one successful dribble helped the young forward secure the WhoScored man of the match award.

Manchester United target Haaland makes Champions League best XI