LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - The supercool finishing of Vinicius has been a feature of the season, a contrast to his erratic habits in the past when his tricky slaloms and searing pace put him in promising space. Struck twice and dazzled throughout the 5-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk. AP
GK Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal) - Again and again, the hero of last season’s Europa League final defied Young Boys, to put a deceptive gloss on the scoreline of a hard-fought first group stage victory for Villarreal in Berne. It finished 4-1. But for Rulli, it might have been 4-4. AFP
RB Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus) - Vigilant in his defensive duties, adaptable in his positioning, the right back found himself on the opposite flank by the time he delivered the winning assist, a cross for Dejan Kulusevski, in the tight contest against Zenit in St Petersburg. AP
CB Sebastian Coates (Sporting) - An epic night for the captain of the Portuguese champions. Scored two headed goals to silence the Istanbul crowd at Besiktas, effectively won a penalty, too, and marshalled the Sporting defence with authority to keep intact a 4-1 away win. AP
CB Merih Demiral (Atalanta) - If ever a substitution swung a contest, it was Demiral’s at half-time of the visit to Old Trafford. Thanks to their totemic Turk’s headed goal and his saving tackle on a breakaway Marcus Rashford, Atalanta led 2-0 at the break. After his injury, Manchester United scored three. AP
LB Angelino (RB Leipzig) - To be an adventurous wide player against Paris Saint-Germain is to be rewarded. Angelino sought to exploit PSG’s vulnerabilities and his crossing earned goals. Not at fault when a slack pass played to him cost Leipzig a goal, and effectively the points, in PSG’s 3-2 win. AFP
RM Antony (Ajax) - The Brazilian is thoroughly enjoying his second season in the Champions League, galvanising free-scoring Ajax to the top of their group. Almost unplayable in the breathtaking 4-0 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund, he capped his star turn with the third goal. AFP
CM James Milner (Liverpool) - “Dirty points,” Jurgen Klopp called the three Liverpool took away from Atletico Madrid, having squandered a two-goal lead before winning 3-2. First to roll up his sleeves was veteran Milner, switching positions to cover weaker areas and always combative. Reuters
LM Phil Foden (Man City) - Outstanding in the burying of Bruges, Foden has in recent weeks, for club and country, shown off the full range of his abilities, across midfield and forward roles. A superb Foden pass set up the opening goal of a dominant City performance. PA
RW Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich) - Bayern had to wait for their breakthrough against Benfica, and the scoreline flatters some of their players. Not Sane, endlessly inventive and poised, who made the breakthrough with 20 minutes to go, and then added Bayern’s fourth and final goal. AP
CF Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - Where would PSG be without Mbappe? Four points worse off, most likely, in their Champions League campaign. Earned a penalty, set up a goal and scored one in the 3-2 win against RB Leipzig, so he can be forgiven for blazing a late spot-kick over the bar. Reuters
LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - The supercool finishing of Vinicius has been a feature of the season, a contrast to his erratic habits in the past when his tricky slaloms and searing pace put him in promising space. Struck twice and dazzled throughout the 5-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk. AP
GK Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal) - Again and again, the hero of last season’s Europa League final defied Young Boys, to put a deceptive gloss on the scoreline of a hard-fought first group stage victory for Villarreal in Berne. It finished 4-1. But for Rulli, it might have been 4-4. AFP
RB Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus) - Vigilant in his defensive duties, adaptable in his positioning, the right back found himself on the opposite flank by the time he delivered the winning assist, a cross for Dejan Kulusevski, in the tight contest against Zenit in St Petersburg. AP
CB Sebastian Coates (Sporting) - An epic night for the captain of the Portuguese champions. Scored two headed goals to silence the Istanbul crowd at Besiktas, effectively won a penalty, too, and marshalled the Sporting defence with authority to keep intact a 4-1 away win. AP
CB Merih Demiral (Atalanta) - If ever a substitution swung a contest, it was Demiral’s at half-time of the visit to Old Trafford. Thanks to their totemic Turk’s headed goal and his saving tackle on a breakaway Marcus Rashford, Atalanta led 2-0 at the break. After his injury, Manchester United scored three. AP
LB Angelino (RB Leipzig) - To be an adventurous wide player against Paris Saint-Germain is to be rewarded. Angelino sought to exploit PSG’s vulnerabilities and his crossing earned goals. Not at fault when a slack pass played to him cost Leipzig a goal, and effectively the points, in PSG’s 3-2 win. AFP
RM Antony (Ajax) - The Brazilian is thoroughly enjoying his second season in the Champions League, galvanising free-scoring Ajax to the top of their group. Almost unplayable in the breathtaking 4-0 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund, he capped his star turn with the third goal. AFP
CM James Milner (Liverpool) - “Dirty points,” Jurgen Klopp called the three Liverpool took away from Atletico Madrid, having squandered a two-goal lead before winning 3-2. First to roll up his sleeves was veteran Milner, switching positions to cover weaker areas and always combative. Reuters
LM Phil Foden (Man City) - Outstanding in the burying of Bruges, Foden has in recent weeks, for club and country, shown off the full range of his abilities, across midfield and forward roles. A superb Foden pass set up the opening goal of a dominant City performance. PA
RW Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich) - Bayern had to wait for their breakthrough against Benfica, and the scoreline flatters some of their players. Not Sane, endlessly inventive and poised, who made the breakthrough with 20 minutes to go, and then added Bayern’s fourth and final goal. AP
CF Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - Where would PSG be without Mbappe? Four points worse off, most likely, in their Champions League campaign. Earned a penalty, set up a goal and scored one in the 3-2 win against RB Leipzig, so he can be forgiven for blazing a late spot-kick over the bar. Reuters
LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - The supercool finishing of Vinicius has been a feature of the season, a contrast to his erratic habits in the past when his tricky slaloms and searing pace put him in promising space. Struck twice and dazzled throughout the 5-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk. AP
