UEFA Champions League Matchday 1: Team of the week

Valencia v Juventus - UEFA Champions League Group H
UEFA Champions League

16 matches played, 45 goals scored, 26 assists, 1 hattrick, 73 yellow cards, 3 red cards, and some jaw-dropping moments later, we are at the end of matchday 1.

Football never fails to excite us and who better to do it than the superstars of football, playing for the top European clubs in the most elite competition around the globe.

Matchday 1 saw some intense action as 32 teams came forward to stake their claim on the big prize. Some clubs passed with flying colours while others failed to make an impression.

The players showed grit and skill as they strut their stuff on the pitch and gave us the 'oohs and aahs' across 2 days of elite level football.

Who makes the combined 11 from matchday 1? Read further to know.


GK - Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)

Japan v Poland: Group H - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
He is doing well for the club!

Juventus saw star performer, Cristiano Ronaldo sent off within the first half hour and the team stuck together to perform heroically with 10 men to win 2-0 at Valencia. The scoreline wouldn't have remained the same as Valencia looked dangerous had it not been for Szczesny, who is fitting in the role well after Buffon's departure, who saved Daniel Parejo's late penalty, thus ensuring that their superb away form continued.

RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

England Media Access
Young but brutally effective!

Liverpool's young right-back looked set to face one of the toughest tests of his short career when a £360mn duo of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe travelled up to Anfield, but the 19-year-old dealt with them impeccably while providing a key attacking outlet for the hosts. Alexander Arnold completed both of his dribbles, had 91 touches and completed five out of his six tackles. He was crucial in the build-up to Sturridge's opening goal and even managed to hit the bar with a freekick late on.

CB - José Giménez (Atlético Madrid)

Real Betis v Atletico Madrid - La Liga
He has formed an impeccable partnership with Godin!

The Uruguayan was at his dominant best against Monaco on Tuesday night when Godin found it hard to find his feet, helping his side come from behind to beat the Ligue 1 side. Gimenez scored what turned out to be the winning goal when he met Koke's corner with a thumping header in first-half stoppage time. The 23-year-old marshalled the Atletico Madrid backline admirably, so much so that Monaco didn't even look like getting an equalizer.

CB - Milos Degenek (Red Star Belgrade)

Australia Media Opportunity & Training Session
Australia Media Opportunity & Training Session

Australian National team center back, Degenek has been a quite a revelation since joining the club he supported since he was a boy. Red Star didn't find it easy facing Napoli on their long-awaited return to the big stage and their back line was expected to stay strong and compact. Degenek's quality showed as he marshalled them to a clean sheet which gives them genuine hope of making a vivid impact on the group stage.

LB - Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax)

Ajax v AEK Athens - UEFA Champions League Group E
Ajax v AEK Athens - UEFA Champions League Group E

It is not every day that a left-back gets on the scoresheet twice where one of the goals is a ridiculous left-footed volley from an impossible-looking angle. Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico became the first defender to score a double for the Dutch giants since Frank de Boer back in 1995, a stat which I'm sure he'll be proud of. The Argentine's two goals, saw his side record a dominant victory in their opening Champions League game.

CM - Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

BSC Young Boys v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Group H
BSC Young Boys v Manchester United

More performances like the one on Tuesday and all the doubts about Paul Pogba's attitude or temperament will soon vanish into thin air. He was dominating the middle of the park throughout the match and was involved in all 3 of United's goals. His opening goal was delightfully flicked into the roof of the net while his second was a confidently taken penalty and the signs are that he is in no mood to stop without inflicting further damage to his opponents.

CM - Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich)

SL Benfica v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Group E
SL Benfica v FC Bayern Munchen

What a lovely moment it was when the Estadio da Luz rose as one to acclaim Sanches, their former player when he burst through the Benfica midfield and defense to ultimately score the second goal for Bayern Munchen on the night.

A failed loan move to Swansea last season looked to spell the end of his Bayern career, but he has been resurgent under Niko Kovac. On his return to his boyhood club, he was excellent, driving into open spaces and showing the ability that caused such excitement at Euro 2016.

AM - Nabil Fekir (Lyon)

Manchester City v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Champions League Group F

There is a reason why Liverpool went over their heads to sign this world cup winner back in the summer. He plays as a left attacking midfielder, has a cracking shot, cuts in to his right foot and hits them from outside the box.

I'm pretty sure he reminded the Merseyside club of a certain Brazilian they sold. On the night as well, he bossed the proceedings as he scored a cracker and made Fernandinho look like an amateur. High expectations are in place for this young lad.

RW - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

FC Barcelona v PSV - UEFA Champions League Group B
FC Barcelona v PSV - UEFA Champions League Group B

What hasn't already been said about this little man from Argentina? He scored the first goal of the 18/19 Champions League season with a beautiful freekick. He left it late when he scored two more goals in the last 15 minutes of the game to take home another match ball. It is his ability to make the absolutely astonishing and incredible things that he does week in-week out look like just another day in the office. Routine.

ST - Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)

FC Internazionale v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League Group B
FC Internazionale v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League Group B

How Argentina would have fared if they had this guy leading the line instead of Higuain is just food for thought. His performance on the night was that of a typical No. 9

He didn't take too many touches of the ball, was a nuisance to the opposition centre-backs and was always ready to make runs into the box and in behind defenders. His moment came when he met a cross from outside the box with perfectly time volley off his right foot and the ball nestled into the left side corner. Precise.

LW - Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga

Someone had to step up when your club sells the poster boy and most liked athlete for a hundred miles. Gareth Bale stood up and displayed that there was life after Ronaldo when he tore into opposing defenses and put himself on the scoresheet. Ronaldo has left a big void in the Madrid team. Only time will tell if Gareth Bale is worthy of filling said void.

Julen Lopetegui might just bring out the best version of Bale in his stint at the Madrid club.

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