Manchester City dominate Champions League best XI after Schalke success
The final four Champions League last-16 matches took place this week. Here we take a look at the team of the week as Juventus, Manchester City, Liverpool and Barcelona booked their quarter-final spots.
Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City) - 7.06 rating
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson is the first of six Manchester City players to make the best XI this week after they put Schalke to the sword in a 7-0 win on Tuesday night. The 25-year-old may not have been called upon with any real regularity at the Etihad Stadium, but was solid when needed as he made one save and one successful cross claim, while a 95% pass success rate helped him secure a WhoScored rating of 7.06.
Right-back: Kyle Walker (Manchester City) - 7.22 rating
It was a similar story for Kyle Walker, who had little in the way of action, both offensively or defensively, down his side of the pitch. He was a solid performer in the victory as he won one aerial duel and returned a 94% pass success rate to gain a WhoScored rating of 7.22.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 8.38 rating
Liverpool defied the odds to book their place in the next round of the Champions League. The Reds have faltered on their travels in the competition this season, but made light work of Bavarian powerhouse Bayern Munich on Wednesday night to secure a 3-1 win at the Allianz Arena. The Dutchman had a direct hand in two of their three goals, scoring one and assisting another, while five clearances, four aerial duels won and three interceptions helped land a WhoScored rating of 8.38.
Centre-back: Gerard Pique (Barcelona) - 7.96 rating
Featuring alongside Van Dijk at the heart of the defence is Barcelona ace Gerard Pique. Like Van Dijk, the Spanish centre-back netted in his side’s 5-1 win over Lyon to secure their quarter-final spot, hitting the back of the net with his only shot on goal, while four clearances, two tackles and two interceptions helped gain a WhoScored rating of 7.96.
Left-back: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City) - 8.64 rating
Rounding off the defence is Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, who came away from the 7-0 win over Schalke with a WhoScored rating of 8.64. The Ukrainian youngster continues to shine in the absence of Benjamin Mendy as he registered one assist from two key passes, while returns of five tackles, three interceptions and a 95% pass success rate culminated in his fine score.
Right midfield: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 10.0 rating
The first of three perfect 10s in this XI, Lionel Messi was at his destructive best once more as Barcelona swept Lyon aside with ease. The Argentine had a direct hand in four of the five goals Barcelona netted on Wednesday night, scoring with two of seven shots and assisting with two of three key passes, while an additional three successful dribbles capped another excellent showing for the mercurial Argentine.
Central midfield: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) - 9.44 rating
Bernardo Silva has proven himself a key player for Manchester City this season as he put in another superb showing at the Etihad Stadium this week. Indeed, the Portuguese midfielder scored one and assisted another for Pep Guardiola’s side to help gain a WhoScored rating of 9.44.
Central midfield: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City) - 8.28 rating
Partnering Silva in midfield is Manchester City teammate Ilkay Gundogan. The German attempted more passes (138) than any other player in the Champions League this week, returning a 92% pass success rate in the process, and while he didn’t have a direct hand in a goal, his three interceptions, two key passes and one successful dribble saw him gain a WhoScored rating of 8.28.
Left midfield: Leroy Sane (Manchester City) - 10.0 rating
Completing the Manchester City sextet is our Champions League player of the week Leroy Sane, who returned a perfect 10 rating in the success over former employers Schalke. The German youngster had a direct hand in four of the seven goals scored on home turf as he hit the back of the net from one of three shots and provided three assists from three key passes. Three tackles and two successful dribbles capped off another wonderful display from Sane.
Striker: Luis Suarez (Barcelona) - 9.16 rating
The second Barcelona player to make the cut is Luis Suarez, who failed to get on the scoresheet in the 5-1 win over Lyon, but at least provided an assist in the victory. That came from four key passes, while three successful dribbles, four fouls won and two tackles helped return a WhoScored rating of 9.16.
Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 10.0 rating
Rounding off this XI is Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo after his match winning display over Atletico Madrid. 2-0 down after the first leg, Ronaldo grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck to bag a hat-trick to send Juventus into the next round of the Champions League. Having completed more dribbles (6) than any other player this week, Ronaldo was good value for his perfect WhoScored 10 rating.
