Champions League round-up: The star men from Wednesday’s action

 

PSV Eindhoven 2-2 Tottenham - Luuk de Jong - 8.72 rating

 

Luuk de Jong set a record for aerial duels won in a Champions League match this season (14) and scored a late equaliser to grant PSV a huge point at home to Tottenham in one of Wednesday’s two early kick offs. The 28-year-old former Newcastle striker was colossal in the air and hit the target with two of his three shots on goal.

 

Club Bruges 1-1 Monaco - Hans Vanaken - 8.28 rating

 

Belgian minnows Club Bruges denied Monaco manager Thierry Henry his first win in charge of the club after coming from behind to earn a share of the spoils. Hans Vanaken provided the assist for Wesley’s goal, which was one of five key passes from the 26-year-old. The Belgian also managed three efforts on goal himself but failed to hit the target. Only his marvellously named team-mate, Marvellous Makamba (6) made more tackles than Vanaken (5) from both sets of players.

 

Borussia Dortmund 4-0 Atletico Madrid - Axel Witsel - 8.78 rating

 

There were a number of standout performers from Dortmund’s performance, as the Bundesliga outfit inflicted the biggest defeat of Diego Simeone’s career as Atletico Madrid manager. Axel Witsel got Lucien Favre’s side up and running and generally bossed the midfield area. He attempted 75 passes with a success rate of 93.3%, as well drawing Jan Oblak into another save during the game. The Belgium international completed two dribbles and was fouled once.

 

Barcelona 2-0 Inter - Ivan Rakitic - 8.32 rating

 

With Leo Messi watching on from the sidelines, this was far from a classic but Barcelona ran out comfortable victors in the end. Ivan Rakitic helped hold down the fort in central midfield, providing the assist for Barcelona’s second on the night. No player completed more dribbles than the 30-year-old (3), who also made two tackles and won two fouls.

 

Liverpool 4-0 FK Crvena Zvezda - Fabinho - 8.69 rating

 

Fabinho was given the chance to impress from the off by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who labelled Wednesday’s win over FK Crvena Zvezda as the midfielder's real debut in the build up to the game. The 25-year-old did not disappoint, turning in a man of the match performance despite a brace from Mohamed Salah. Fabinho completed nine tackles in central midfield, a figure that can only be usurped by Nabil Bentaleb (10) in a Champions League game this season. Fabinho also won six aerial duels and created two goalscoring chances.

 

 

Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Napoli - Neymar - 9.07 rating

 

Paris Saint-Germain were not at their best and required a stunning late Angel Di Maria finish to get a point, but Neymar was still a real menace throughout. The Brazilian completed 12 dribbles against Napoli, a record in a Champions League match this season. Not only that, but Neymar impressively completed 92% of his passes. Only team-mate Adrien Rabiot (108) had more touches of the ball than Neymar (101) and the PSG No.10 always looked to make things happen. He hit the target with two of his four shorts on target, including a powerfully hit free-kick.

 

Lokomotiv Moscow 1-3 Porto - Yacine Brahimi - 8.29 rating

 

Porto survived an early penalty scare to run out 3-1 winners and continue their unbeaten start to Group D in the Champions League this season. Yacine Brahimi was the star man, finishing the match with one assist and six dribbles to his name. The 28-year-old was too much to handle for the Russian side, who ended up fouling him four times. Brahimi’s end product wasn’t always right, only managing two shots and one key pass, which he will need to improve on.

 

Galatasaray 0-0 Schalke - Ozan Kabak - 8.68 rating

 

18-year-old centre-back Ozan Kabak has emerged as one of the most promising players in Turkey this season and he excelled on the biggest stage of them all on Wednesday night. The teenager had the most touches of the ball (96), made a clearance off the line, completed 11 tackles and interceptions combined, as well as seven clearances. Kabak did not put a foot wrong on his Champions League debut and is one to watch for the remainder of the campaign.

Champions League round-up: The star men from Wednesday’s action