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Another week of the UEFA Champions League has gone by as we get closer to knowing who might make it to the knockout stages of club football’s biggest competition. Matchday four produced several high scoring games and some nail-biting finishes.Bayern Munich’s 5-1 demolition of Arsenal was probably the biggest game of matchday four as the Bundesliga giants are gradually emerging as the team to beat in this year’s edition of the Champions League.There were numerous inspiring and exciting individual performances in all the 16 encounters on matchday four as we pick the best 11 across all the teams involved for our team of the week.
#1 Goalkeeper
David de Gea
The Manchester United shot stopper’s transfer fiasco in the summer has but all been forgotten as he has been in exceptional form for the Red Devils so far this season. The Spanish International put in a solid performance for United at home against group rivals CSKA Moskva.
United went on to win the game 1-0 and moved to the top of Group B, and De Gea finished with yet another clean sheet. The 24-year-old made a sublime save to prevent CSKA Moskva striker Seydou Doumbia from scoring the opener when one on one with the striker in the 78th minute. It turned out to be a match-winning save as United secured all three points.
#2 Defence
Stephen Lichtsteiner
The Swiss International was making a comeback into the Juventus starting lineup against Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night a month after he underwent a heart surgery. The right-back capped his return with a stunning goal from a delightful Paul Pogba chip late in the first half to equalise for the Turin-based club. The defender never looked like he was away from action as he put in a solid shift for the Old Lady.
Chris Smalling
Easily Manchester United’s most consistent player this season, Smalling continued his rich form into the Champions League. He was instrumental in keeping out CSKA attackers and marshalled the defence superbly. He capped yet another excellent display at the heart of the defence which included a goal-line clearance to deny Seydou Doumbia towards the end of the 90 minutes.
Diego Godin
Atletico Madrid’s rock in the defence for many years now, Diego Godin is known for his no-nonsense defending. The Spanish club played against Champions League debutants Astana in Kazakhstan which turned out to be a dull draw but the Uruguayan didn’t put a foot wrong defensively.
David Alaba
It was yet another masterclass on the left flank from the Austrian international. David Alaba was one of the players of the match which saw Bayern Munich demolish Arsenal 5-1. The highlight of his display was his stunning strike in the 44th minute where he curled an unstoppable shot past Petr Cech from outside the box.
He also picked up an assist as his cutback was converted by Arjen Robben from close range for Bayern’s fourth of the night.
#3 Midfield
Angel di Maria
Di Maria slots in on the right flank after his stellar display in PSG’s unfortunate 1-0 loss against former club Real Madrid. The Argentine dazzled on his return to the Santiago Bernabeu and did not deserve to come away on the losing side. He was unlucky on two different occasions as he hit the woodwork twice. He was a thorn in Real’s flesh throughout the night and was desperately unlucky not to score against his former employers.
Fernandinho
The Brazilian was superb in City’s midfield with the support of Fernando and capped his performance with a goal and a neat pass for Raheem Sterling’s opener. Manchester City qualified for the last 16 with a superb attacking display in the 3-1 win against Sevilla and midfielder Fernandinho added the crucial second goal with a header after Wilfried Bony's shot was blocked. No Manchester City player attempted more passes than Fernandinho against Sevilla (51).
Thiago Alcantara
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have not qualified for the knockout stages yet but kept up their record of averaging five goals per home Champions League game with a superb display against Arsenal. Former Barcelona man Thiago created four chances on the night. Thiago attempted the most passes (125) which is the highest by any player on matchday four.
Raheem Sterling
The winger has begun to justify his £49 million price tag with impressive performances on City’s left flank. Tuesday’s game was no different as the former Liverpool forward excelled in a scintillating attacking display from the Citizens. He opened the scoring and created five chances for his team-mates.
#4 Attack
Neymar
Neymar made sure that Barca continued to thrive, despite the ongoing injury to star player Lionel Messi, with two goals in the 3-0 win over Borisov. The Brazilian had four shots on target and created six chances for his team-mates. He also provided the assist for Suarez to net home Barca’s second of the night.
The Brazilian netted twice and was instrumental in putting the Champions League holders on the brink of reaching the knockout stage. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (15) has scored more Champions League goals since the start of last season than Neymar (12).
Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller made it four goals in six games against Arsenal with a pair of clinical strikes in the Allianz Arena. Team-mate Robert Lewandowski may have stolen the headlines this season with his run of form, but Muller now has 20 goals for club and country this season. Muller has found the net seven times in his last six Champions League games at home.
Substitutes: Yuri Lodygin(Zenit), Srna(Zagreb), Luisao(Benfica), Eran Zahavi (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Pardo(Olympiacos), Pogba(Juventus), Suarez(Barcelona)
