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There were some spectacular games in this week’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, and this is an XI of the best players in those games.
Willy Caballero – Malaga
Or more specifically, Caballero’s left leg. The Malaga goalkeeper makes the team despite conceding three goals. Malaga lost in the last second, but they were only in the game because of the saves from Caballero earlier in the game. He saved a Reus header and a threaded strike from Gotze with his outstretched left leg, as he at times put up a one man resistance.
Phillip Lahm – Bayern Munich
Lahm has long been one of the best full-backs in the world, and showed why against Juventus. Bayern completely shut down the Juventus attack, particularly in wide areas where Juventus are reliant on their rampaging wing backs. Lahm neutralised left wing-back Asamoah and also the left wandering Vucinic. He led by example and drove his Bayern to victory.
Dante – Bayern Munich
Dante wasn’t as well known as his teammates outside of Germany, but he is now. A dominant display from the giant Brazilian was important in Bayern keeping an away clean sheet in Turin. He let nothing past him and is surely playing his way in to the Brazilian national side.
Thiago Silva – PSG
If Dante becomes first choice for Brazil, he will play alongside the superb Thiago Silva. Silva is, quite simply, the best central defender in the world. He was at his calm, assured best against Barcelona, organising his defence and deftly playing the ball out from the back. Because PSG were able to play so calmly, it helped them to get a foothold in the game and he was the key man in doing so.
Marcel Schmelzer – Borussia Dortmund
Schmelzer didn’t cover himself in glory for Joaquin’s goal, but that was his only fault in any otherwise exemplary performance of all-action full-back play. He was a prime example of the tenacious and ferocious work ethic that saw the Germans never give up and steal a late victory. The sight of him throwing himself in front of the last Malaga cross of the game to tie things up got the crowd off their feet and summed him up.
Marco Verratti – PSG
How many players come to the Nou Camp and out play Xavi? How many of those are 20 years old making their first appearance at the Nou Camp? Verratti put on a sensational display in the deep midfield pivot point of the PSG midfield. Verratti intercepted and tackled efficiently, but the composure he demonstrated on the ball was unbelievable. A potentially world class player in the making.
Ilkay Gundogan – Borussia Dortmund
Gundogan was the player of the week. He was the heart of everything good that Dortmund did. He covered every blade of grass in attack and defence, and he moved the ball rapidly and accurately, which kept the high tempo Dortmund attack at full pelt. In the end, the work he did in the continuous prompting and probing eventually paid off, as Malaga looked tired at the end of the game when Dortmund launched their late charge for victory. Sublime.
Andres Iniesta – Barcelona
Sure, Messi will get the plaudits but Iniesta was at his gliding, effortless best. The way he turned Jallet had Gary Neville thanking his lucky stars that he wasn’t having to deal with it. He also had a run in the first half which was stopped by Silva, which saw him bouncing the ball between his feet past 3 PSG defenders, and was nearly able to get a shot away. He was close to making something memorable happen at all times.
Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund
Reus was spectacular against Malaga. He scored one and set the other two up and was also a constant menace with his pace and movement. This is the kind of performance which shows just what an incredible prospect he is. His assist for the Lewandowski goal was amazing, as he flicked it from behind his back in air. He was then right on the spot to score the crucial second goal and then smashed the ball across the box which was tapped in for the third.
Didier Drogba – Galatasaray
There’s something about this competition and Drogba. He was in undefendable mode against Madrid and gave young Varane a real lesson in what it’s like to play against such a physical presence. His excellent goal with a little reverse flick was the topping on a relentless performance. He drags everyone on with his will to win and nearly took Galatasaray to the most unimaginable of victories.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid Ronaldo was at his decimating best against Galatasaray. He scored twice, missed a sitter and nearly scored an absolute wonder goal. Such is life for Ronaldo. It seemed like his early goal had flattened the Turkish side, but after their incredible second half fight back it was Ronaldo who finished things off just as Madrid were looking wobbly again. It’s a shame that he didn’t score his almost Bergkamp-like drag down and volley to top it off.
