• GK Bernd Leno (Arsenal) Thanks to their goalkeeper, Arsenal are still in their Europa League semi-final against Villarreal. Entitled to have felt let down by his defenders for the two Villarreal goals, his saves in the second period kept 10-man Arsenal alive. Getty Images
    GK Bernd Leno (Arsenal) Thanks to their goalkeeper, Arsenal are still in their Europa League semi-final against Villarreal. Entitled to have felt let down by his defenders for the two Villarreal goals, his saves in the second period kept 10-man Arsenal alive. Getty Images
  • RB Kyle Walker (Man City) The catalyst for City’s proactive approach after going into half-time 1-0 down at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Pacey, as ever, in his wing-play and recuperation, he was also quick-witted in attack and defence. afp
    RB Kyle Walker (Man City) The catalyst for City’s proactive approach after going into half-time 1-0 down at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Pacey, as ever, in his wing-play and recuperation, he was also quick-witted in attack and defence. afp
  • CB Eder Militao (Real Madrid) The Brazilian, deputising for Sergio Ramos, became the general in a makeshift defence against an aggressive Chelsea in the Champions League. Confident in his tackling and interceptions and always ready to look for the incisive pass. Getty Images
    CB Eder Militao (Real Madrid) The Brazilian, deputising for Sergio Ramos, became the general in a makeshift defence against an aggressive Chelsea in the Champions League. Confident in his tackling and interceptions and always ready to look for the incisive pass. Getty Images
  • CB Ruben Dias (Man City) Endorsed his reputation as perhaps the shrewdest signing by any elite club of the last 12 months. The Portuguese tamed a dynamic PSG. Thanks to Dias as much as any City player, Kylian Mbappe was kept in check. EPA
    CB Ruben Dias (Man City) Endorsed his reputation as perhaps the shrewdest signing by any elite club of the last 12 months. The Portuguese tamed a dynamic PSG. Thanks to Dias as much as any City player, Kylian Mbappe was kept in check. EPA
  • LB Alfonso Pedraza (Villarreal) He was up against the dashing Bukayo Saka, but Pedraza took the game to his Arsenal counterpart, watchful and calm. His forceful running, dribbling and combination play helped Villarreal take the initiative. AFP
    LB Alfonso Pedraza (Villarreal) He was up against the dashing Bukayo Saka, but Pedraza took the game to his Arsenal counterpart, watchful and calm. His forceful running, dribbling and combination play helped Villarreal take the initiative. AFP
  • RM Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) When greatness is assumed, generosity follows. He admitted his goal, to launch the City comeback in Paris, was “lucky”. He then let Riyad Mahrez take the free-kick that gave City their lead. Modest he may be, he was still the star of the show. PA
    RM Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) When greatness is assumed, generosity follows. He admitted his goal, to launch the City comeback in Paris, was “lucky”. He then let Riyad Mahrez take the free-kick that gave City their lead. Modest he may be, he was still the star of the show. PA
  • CM N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) Up against the most experienced and grooved midfield in Europe’s elite - Real Madrid’s Modric-Casemiro-Kroos triumvirate - Kante took command, his sixth sense for danger at its best, his instinct for when to surge forward spot on. AP Photo
    CM N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) Up against the most experienced and grooved midfield in Europe’s elite - Real Madrid’s Modric-Casemiro-Kroos triumvirate - Kante took command, his sixth sense for danger at its best, his instinct for when to surge forward spot on. AP Photo
  • LM Angel Di Maria (PSG) Always probing, always careful of his positional responsibilities, the least celebrated member of PSG’s dazzling attacking stars was the one who maintained his threat throughout the see-saw 90 minutes against City. EPA
    LM Angel Di Maria (PSG) Always probing, always careful of his positional responsibilities, the least celebrated member of PSG’s dazzling attacking stars was the one who maintained his threat throughout the see-saw 90 minutes against City. EPA
  • AM Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) For a team to score six in a major semi-final is unusual. For one player to be involved in all of those goals rarer still. He scored two and directly assisted two against Roma in United’s huge stride towards the Europa League final. AP Photo
    AM Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) For a team to score six in a major semi-final is unusual. For one player to be involved in all of those goals rarer still. He scored two and directly assisted two against Roma in United’s huge stride towards the Europa League final. AP Photo
  • CF Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) Under the cosh against Chelsea, Madrid needed a special moment to shift the momentum. The leading candidate to provide it duly stepped up to the plate. An ingenious volleyed goal from the totemic Bezema keeps the tie in the balance. Reuters
    CF Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) Under the cosh against Chelsea, Madrid needed a special moment to shift the momentum. The leading candidate to provide it duly stepped up to the plate. An ingenious volleyed goal from the totemic Bezema keeps the tie in the balance. Reuters
  • CF Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) A textbook exhibition of how to be a centre-forward: delicate lay-offs, masterly hold-up play, predatory instincts from close range. Cavani, who scored twice against Roma, can do it all - and more, as his curled pass for United’s sixth goal showed. Reuters
    CF Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) A textbook exhibition of how to be a centre-forward: delicate lay-offs, masterly hold-up play, predatory instincts from close range. Cavani, who scored twice against Roma, can do it all - and more, as his curled pass for United’s sixth goal showed. Reuters

Football

Textbook Cavani and totemic Benzema - Europe's team of the week in pictures

Who starred in this week's Champions League and Europa League semi-final first legs

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey
London

April 30, 2021

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Edinson Cavani and Karim Benzema showed why they are considered two of the premier centre-forwards in European football.

Cavani's all-round play against Roma was textbook, enhanced by two quality goals that practically guarantees Manchester United's place in the Europa League final.

Benzema, meanwhile, again proved the man for the big occasion as his volley earned Real Madrid a 1-1 draw against Chelsea ahead of their Champions League semi-final return leg in London.

Kyle Walker was the catalyst for Manchester City's proactive approach that earned a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League semi-final.

Arsenal are still in their Europa League semi-final against Villarreal despite a 2-1 defeat in Spain thanks to their goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

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