Champions League Team of the Week – Rogers, Dembele, Wirtz

For the final time in the league phase, it’s our Champions League Team of the Week. Here are our top performers from matchday eight.

Goalkeeper: Anatoliy Trubin – Benfica

Benfica beat Juventus on the road in an impressive conclusion to a campaign that saw the Portuguese side seal a playoff place. Anatoliy Trubin excelled in goal for the visitors in Turin, making a point-blank save from Samuel Mbangula early on. Another smart stop denied Douglas Luiz, as Trubin earned his clean sheet. One of the best u-23 goalkeepers around at the moment.

Right-back: Lucas Vazquez – Real Madrid

The veteran was full of drive from right-back as Real Madrid eased to victory against Brest. He teed up Jude Bellingham for the second goal, one of three big chances created on the night.

Centre-back: Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich

Moved to a centre-back but no less influential. Kimmich strode forward to cross brilliantly for Thomas Muller’s opener and created six chances despite his shift to the backline. Defensively he was comfortable all evening, winning 5/6 duels alongside Kim Min-jae.

Centre-back: John Stones – Manchester City

John Stones’ return could be the lift Manchester City need for the second half of the campaign. The centre-back snuffs out danger and roams into midfield intelligently to find openings, helping City exert a level of control missing in Rodri’s absence. He claimed two assists on the night against Club Brugge, though he will be frustrated at missing a sitter with City trailing. Fitness issues have denied Pep Guardiola of Stones too often but he’s back in a big boost for the Blues.

Left-back: Mitchel Bakker – Lille

A standout on a big night for arguably the surprise package of the league phase. Lille sealed their place in the Round of 16 in style with a 6-1 thrashing of Feyenoord in France. Bakker was back at left-back and a marauding threat, as he carved out four chances and was not dribbled past all evening. Worked well in tandem with the impressive Osame Sahraoui.

Midfield: Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen

It’s been a debut Champions League campaign to remember for Florian Wirtz. Six goals in eight games have propelled Bayer Leverkusen into the Round of 16 and few will fancy facing the German champions in the knockout rounds. Wirtz is a wonderful watch and his intelligent movement – or lack of – created the space to sweep in the opener against Slavia Prague. The 21-year-old seems set to shine on this stage for seasons to come.

Midfield: Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa

Morgan Rogers called his hat-trick against Celtic the highlight of his career to date. The 22-year-old became the first player in Champions League history to score twice inside the opening five minutes of a match, as Villa blitzed the Scottish champions early.

Celtic responded to level before half-time, before goals from Watkins and Rogers completed a win that sent Villa straight into the Round of 16. It’s been a rapid rise for Rogers, who rose to the occasion on a crucial night. He is unplayable when in this mood.

Right-wing: Ousmane Dembele – Paris Saint-Germain

After a false start, Paris Saint-Germain finished strong in the league phase to book their place in the next round. Ousmane Dembele was the architect of their 4-1 win at Stuttgart, scoring a stunning hat-trick to continue his purple patch in front of goal. Dembele turned in his first from close range, before lashing in a sweetly-struck second. He arced a fine finish into the far corner to seal his hat-trick and make it 11 goals in his last eight games. A man in form.

Left-wing: Rodrygo – Real Madrid

Rodrygo does not always get the plaudits of his Real Madrid teammates but the Brazilian is a terrific talent. Out on the left at Brest, he scored twice as the holders sealed their fifth straight win in all competitions. A wonderful individual effort opened the scoring before Rodrygo put the finishing touch on a 3-0 success with a delicate third – his second of the night.

Forward: Lautaro Martinez – Inter Milan

Inter Milan eased into the last 16 with a comfortable win over Monaco assuring their progress. Lautaro Martinez scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at the San Siro to take him to 15 goals for the campaign in all competitions.

A low penalty found its way under the dive of Radoslaw Majecki before Martinez struck a second that squirmed through the ‘keeper’s grasp. The match ball was claimed with a predatory third, as the Argentine reacted quickest to a rebound. The 27-year-old is closing in on 150 goals for Inter but, somehow, remains under-appreciated across Europe.

Forward: Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid

Antoine Griezmann is showing few signs of slowing down even as the French forward approaches his 34th birthday. Two goals against Red Bull Salzburg made it six in seven Champions League games this season for Griezmann, the first Atletico player to reach 50 goal involvements in this competition.

There have been few better to have worn the colours of the Rojiblacos.

Read – Every team qualified for the Champions League knockout stage

See more – A brilliant XI of the Premier League’s best ever January signings

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