Real Madrid pair lead attack after Chelsea thrashing: Champions League team of the week

Liverpool and Manchester City have two players each in the XI after wins against Benfica and Atletico

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (4-3-3): GK Odysseas Vlachodimos (Benfica). He conceded three goals. But it could have been twice as many. The Greece international had a busy evening against Liverpool at the Estadio da Luz. He can expect a demanding one at Anfield next week, too, but he has just about kept Benfica’s slim hopes in the tie alive. Getty

RB Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Not for the first time on a late-phase, big-stage Champions League night, the Liverpool right-back took the initiative and epitomised his team’s self-belief. A terrific long pass helped create one goal, a super through ball to Mohamed Salah nearly made another. EPA

CB Juan Foyth (Villarreal). An outstanding showing from the former Tottenham Hotspur player, disciplined in his containing of the livewire potential of Bayern Munich’s left-sided attacking players but also proactive. He was involved in Villarreal’s early goal in the surprise 1-0 win for the underdogs. EPA

CB Felipe (Atletico Madrid). Towering in the air, astute in his positioning and careful in how he timed his more aggressive challenges, the Brazilian endured a sapping night of constant vigilance against Manchester City. He set the tone for his team’s defensive rigour. EPA

LB David Alaba (Real Madrid). The go-to man in Madrid’s back four when calm needs restoring. Alaba, ex of Bayern Munich, played his 100th Champions League fixture at Stamford Bridge. He marshalled the defence in masterly fashion, always with a sharp eye on the chance for a counter-attack. EPA

RM Giovani Lo Celso (Villarreal). An inspired, dynamic showing from one of Villarreal’s several former Spurs players. A step ahead of his Bayern’s opponents in his vision, inventive in his passing, and the crosser who made the goal that puts his team 1-0 ahead going to Bavaria next week. AP

CM Naby Keita (Liverpool). One error in possession, but beyond that a commanding display for a midfielder yet to fully convince that he is good value for his high transfer fee, but getting to the point where he soon may. Bold and mobile in Lisbon, he helped set up the important third Liverpool goal. AFP

LM Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City). Where avenues are forever closed, De Bruyne will keep probing. City came up against a low block of warrior defenders - all 11 of them for much of the time Atletico resigned themselves only to damage-limitation - and it was the tireless Belgian who eventually breached the wall. Reuters

RW Phil Foden (Manchester City). The man with the key to unlock an exceptionally stubborn Atletico Madrid. Foden was introduced as a substitute, asked to seek out the tiny gaps in a deep-set, highly-choreographed opponent. Foden obliged, setting up the one goal of the night. Getty

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / Getty Images)

LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). Andreas Christensen, the Chelsea defender, has homework over the next six days, analysing how Vinicius utterly mastered his territory in the first half of Madrid’s 3-1 win. ‘Vini’ could have opened the scoring, hitting the bar. His fine cross invited Benzema to make it 1-0. AFP

The first leg fixtures of the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals were played out this week and there were some stunning results across Europe.

On Tuesday, Liverpool put one foot in the semi-finals after comfortably defeating Benfica 3-1 in Portugal, with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane, and Luis Diaz. Dawid Nunez got on the scoresheet for the Lisbon side to provide a glimmer of hope ahead of the return fixture at Anfield next Wednesday.

On the same night, Manchester City earned a slender lead in their tie with Atletico Madrid after Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal of the game at the Etihad.

While Tuesday's matches went largely as expected, Wednesday was a different story. Villarreal stunned German giants Bayern Munich 1-0 - and could have won by more - through Arnaut Danjuma, while Real Madrid thrashed holders Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of a Karim Benzema hat-trick. Kai Havertz pulled one back for the Blues, who now face a huge task to overturn the deficit at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Assessing the performances from the Champions League quarter-final first legs, Ian Hawkey has selected his team of the week in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.