Kane leads Bayern quintet in Champions League Team of the Week
With half of the Champions League’s Round of 16 ties now settled, we’ve taken a look at the best performers across the week’s four matches. Included in our Team of the Week are players from PSG, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Real Sociedad and Manchester City.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) - 7.21
Taking his place between the sticks is PSG and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who put in a typically brilliant display in his side’s 2-1 victory at the Reale Arena on Tuesday evening. The 25-year-old made a total of six saves, one high claim and two aerial wins to help himself to a WhoScored rating of 7.21.
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) - 7.68
Bayern Munich’s versatile man Joshua Kimmich lined up at right-back for Tuesday’s second-leg clash with Lazio, and the 29-year-old was in fine form. Kimmich made four key passes, two successful dribbles, three accurate crosses, two clearances and won three ground duels to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.68.
Willi Orban (RB Leipzig) - 7.86
Hungarian defender Willi Orban gave RB Leipzig hope of levelling their tie at the Santiago Bernabeu when he headed home an equaliser on the night just three minutes after Vinicius Junior had put Real Madrid ahead, but ultimately the visitors could not find a crucial second goal. Along with his goal, Orban put in a solid defensive performance, making three blocks, six clearances and four ball recoveries to return a WhoScored rating of 7.86.
Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich) - 7.75
When Bayern Munich took the lead in the tie shortly before half time on Tuesday evening, it looked as though Matthijs de Ligt had fired home a stunning volley, though replays would reveal that Thomas Muller got the final touch to steer it goal-bound. Despite that, though, De Ligt is credited with the assist, while he also won both of the aerial duels he contested and misplaced just six of the 106 passes he attempted on the night on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.75.
David Raum (RB Leipzig) - 7.66
Joining teammate Willi Orban in our team of the week is RB Leipzig left-back David Raum, who made four key passes at the Bernabeu - no player on the pitch made more. Raum also won all three of the tackles he attempted, and made two interceptions and two ball recoveries, to register a WhoScored rating of 7.66.
Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich) - 8.33
Though he may not have been directly involved in any of Bayern’s three goals against Lazio on the night, German winger Leroy Sane proved as dangerous as ever. The former Manchester City man had five shots on goal, made three key passes and six successful dribbles to land a WhoScored rating of 8.33.
Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) - 8.13
Mikel Merino and indeed Real Sociedad may have been outplayed across both legs by Luis Enrique’s PSG side, but the Spanish midfielder can hold his head high after an impressive showing in Tuesday’s return leg. Merino found the net late on for La Real’s solitary goal in the tie, while he also made two tackles, two interceptions, two clearances and five ball recoveries to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.13.
Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich) - 8.05
29-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka was nigh-on perfect against Lazio at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, at least as far as his passing was concerned. The Germany international completed 80 accurate passes, misplacing just one, while he also made three tackles, five clearances, four interceptions and four ball recoveries to post a WhoScored rating of 8.05.
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) - 8.69
Defending champions Manchester City put their last 16 tie with FC Copenhagen to bed early on, when Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez both found the net inside just nine minutes at the Etihad Stadium. Alvarez’s corner was calmly volleyed home by Akanji after five minutes, before the Argentine’s speculative effort only moments later found its way into the goal with some help from Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. Alvarez also made four key passes and two successful dribbles, while maintaining a pass success rate of 91%, to take home a WhoScored rating of 8.69.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) - 8.88
Outgoing Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel will have Harry Kane to thank for his side’s progression to the quarter-final stage after the England captain netted his fifth and sixth goals in the competition this season against Lazio. Kane was on hand to head home the hosts’ opener seven minutes before the break, before adding Bayern’s third of the evening, and ultimately settling the tie, with 66 minutes on the clock. Kane found the net with two of his four attempts on goal, while he also made one key pass and won five ground duels on his way to a WhoScored rating of 8.88.
With a WhoScored rating of 9.19, PSG marksman Kylian Mbappe is our Champions League player of the week after his performance against Real Sociedad on Tuesday evening. Having put the French side ahead in the first leg, Mbappe did so again with a ruthless finish on 15 minutes, before finding the net again 10 minutes into the second half. The France captain also made two key passes, completed four dribbles and won nine duels in what was a fine all-round display.
