LW Christian Pulisic (Chelsea): A superbly taken goal, just before half-time, took the wind out of Lille’s sails in France, equalising on the night and restoring the aggregate advantage for the Champions League holders. Always a threat with his movement and pace, and in good form. Getty Images
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (3-5-2): GK Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid). The Slovenian, such a tower of strength throughout his Atletico career, has not had his best season with the club. Against Manchester United, under pressure and away from home, a vintage Oblak reappeared, his reflexes sharp, his positioning inspired. EPA
CB Pau Torres (Villarreal): Set the platform for a defiant 3-0 victory for his hometown club with his busy first half of blocks, duels with Dusan Vlahovic and anticipations at Juventus. Capped a superb night by scoring the second of Villarreal’s three late goals. EPA
CB Lisandro Martinez (Ajax): Apart from his part in conceding the free-kick that led to Benfica’s against-the-run-of-play goal in Amsterdam, Martinez had an excellent night, vigilant in restricting the opposition to single shot on target and precise in his long and short passing. AP
CB Jan Vertonghen (Benfica): Stayed cool and authoritative against an Ajax who at times were relentless in their control of the tempo. For the first time in eight Champions League matches, Ajax’s Sebastien Haller finished a game goalless. Vertonghen applied the handcuffs. AFP
RWB Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea): “He is, maybe, the perfect example as a leader,” beamed Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea manager, after the 2-1 win at Lille. In an unsettled club, as Chelsea are, the skipper assumes more responsibilities. ‘Azpi’ extended his by scoring a rare goal. AFP
LWB Alex Grimaldo (Benfica): The Spanish full-back, a graduate of Barcelona’s youth system, had his work cut out up against Antony and Noussair Mazraoui, a dashing tandem on Ajax’s right flank. He held his own, always looking to get on the front foot quickly once in possession. AP
CM Fred (Manchester United): The outcome - defeat - for Manchester United was dispiriting. But aspects of the performance, especially in the first-half against Atletico Madrid, encouraged. Fred’s inventive, proactive instincts showed he is more than the conservative midfielder he is caricatured as. AP
CM Dani Parejo (Villarreal): Hard-working and a reassuring presence when keeping possession is imperative. Having hauled Villarreal back onto equal teams in the first leg, Parejo kept his team’s confidence when Juventus were on top in the second, the launchpad for a startling away win. Reuters
RW Antoine Griezmann (Atletico): A performance of initiative, energy and self-sacrifice from the France international. Griezmann did not return to Atletico last summer to spend long stretches as an auxiliary right-back, but having lent his expertise in attack, he rolled up his sleeves to show he can do that too if needed. Reuters
CF Darwin Nunez (Benfica): Barely 18 months ago, the Uruguayan was in the Spanish second division. His first Champions League campaign has been a dream. He struck a brace against Barcelona; he came off the bench to score at Bayern, and, at Ajax, headed in the goal that sealed a quarter-final berth. AP
LW Christian Pulisic (Chelsea): A superbly taken goal, just before half-time, took the wind out of Lille’s sails in France, equalising on the night and restoring the aggregate advantage for the Champions League holders. Always a threat with his movement and pace, and in good form. Getty Images
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (3-5-2): GK Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid). The Slovenian, such a tower of strength throughout his Atletico career, has not had his best season with the club. Against Manchester United, under pressure and away from home, a vintage Oblak reappeared, his reflexes sharp, his positioning inspired. EPA
CB Pau Torres (Villarreal): Set the platform for a defiant 3-0 victory for his hometown club with his busy first half of blocks, duels with Dusan Vlahovic and anticipations at Juventus. Capped a superb night by scoring the second of Villarreal’s three late goals. EPA
CB Lisandro Martinez (Ajax): Apart from his part in conceding the free-kick that led to Benfica’s against-the-run-of-play goal in Amsterdam, Martinez had an excellent night, vigilant in restricting the opposition to single shot on target and precise in his long and short passing. AP
CB Jan Vertonghen (Benfica): Stayed cool and authoritative against an Ajax who at times were relentless in their control of the tempo. For the first time in eight Champions League matches, Ajax’s Sebastien Haller finished a game goalless. Vertonghen applied the handcuffs. AFP
RWB Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea): “He is, maybe, the perfect example as a leader,” beamed Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea manager, after the 2-1 win at Lille. In an unsettled club, as Chelsea are, the skipper assumes more responsibilities. ‘Azpi’ extended his by scoring a rare goal. AFP
LWB Alex Grimaldo (Benfica): The Spanish full-back, a graduate of Barcelona’s youth system, had his work cut out up against Antony and Noussair Mazraoui, a dashing tandem on Ajax’s right flank. He held his own, always looking to get on the front foot quickly once in possession. AP
CM Fred (Manchester United): The outcome - defeat - for Manchester United was dispiriting. But aspects of the performance, especially in the first-half against Atletico Madrid, encouraged. Fred’s inventive, proactive instincts showed he is more than the conservative midfielder he is caricatured as. AP
CM Dani Parejo (Villarreal): Hard-working and a reassuring presence when keeping possession is imperative. Having hauled Villarreal back onto equal teams in the first leg, Parejo kept his team’s confidence when Juventus were on top in the second, the launchpad for a startling away win. Reuters
RW Antoine Griezmann (Atletico): A performance of initiative, energy and self-sacrifice from the France international. Griezmann did not return to Atletico last summer to spend long stretches as an auxiliary right-back, but having lent his expertise in attack, he rolled up his sleeves to show he can do that too if needed. Reuters
CF Darwin Nunez (Benfica): Barely 18 months ago, the Uruguayan was in the Spanish second division. His first Champions League campaign has been a dream. He struck a brace against Barcelona; he came off the bench to score at Bayern, and, at Ajax, headed in the goal that sealed a quarter-final berth. AP
LW Christian Pulisic (Chelsea): A superbly taken goal, just before half-time, took the wind out of Lille’s sails in France, equalising on the night and restoring the aggregate advantage for the Champions League holders. Always a threat with his movement and pace, and in good form. Getty Images
