Champions League teams of the week: Kimmich breaks record…and Arsenal | Champions League

IIf Tuesday night’s Champions League second leg tilted first to one side and then to the other with attacking flair, then Wednesday was a night where courage was needed to win and English football to be the underdog. This also brought about the restoration of the old order, with Bayern and Real Madrid meeting in the semi-finals.

Goalkeeper: Andre Lunin, Real Madrid

Lunin saved two City penalties, although one was essentially passed to him by Bernardo Silva. There are now 180 minutes left before becoming the goalkeeper of Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League title. Mateo Kovacic’s save down low on the right was also solid, but that was by no means Lunin’s entire workload on the night. He also made eight saves in the game, six of which came in the Real box, and increasingly angered the defending champions as Ukraine advanced to the semi-finals in his breakthrough season.

Defender: Joshua Kimmich, Bayern Munich

A player once considered the standard-bearer for club and country has recently lost his way and popularity. But he turned the tables against Arsenal. “Every Dick and Harry has been talking about me this season,” Kimmich said after the game. Tom was right to remain silent. Returning to the right-back position, Kimmich continued his recent excellent form, eliminating the disappointing Gabriel Martinez and later Leandro Trossard. Arsenal’s attack repeatedly failed. His performance will, of course, be best remembered for his winning header from Rafael Guerrero’s cross that decided the game and carried with him the confidence that the player was back to his best. Kimmich’s goal was the 31st goal in this year’s quarterfinals, breaking the scoring record at this stage of the competition. Maybe scrapping the away goals rule isn’t such a bad idea after all?

Defender: Nacho, Real Madrid

Nacho won his duel with Erling Haaland and it could well prove to be key in the second leg at the Etihad. He also kicked penalties in the style of Real Madrid captain Fernando Hierro or Sergio Ramos. Now, the player who once played for one club might be a Type 1 diabetic is now emulating the club’s greats. Haaland’s movement in the penalty area was limited and he was never able to dominate the sky. Nacho bears the greatest responsibility for this.

Defender: Nussel Mazraoui, Bayern Munich

Several tiring moments for Bukayo Saka highlighted Arsenal’s defeat at the Allianz Arena. Saka, like his Arsenal team-mates, was brought to a standstill, such is the expertise of Bayern’s defense. Thomas Tuchel will leave with his reputation for knockout plans intact. Mazraoui, the Moroccan who had replaced Alphonso Davies, cut off Saka’s supply line, adding to the frustration of the fallen Star Boy. Saka had nowhere to go as Guerrero doubled down on Mazraoui.

Midfielder: Leon Goretzka, Bayern Munich

If rumors are true that Julian Nagelsmann is set to return to Munich this summer, then Goretzka is likely to leave after a previously troubled relationship. If so, his performance against Arsenal proved why he will be in huge demand elsewhere, with his dominance in midfield eclipsing £100m-rated player Declan Rice. Like Kimmich, a player who looked lost in Bavaria could emerge at the right time. Goretzka also hit the woodwork and, along with Konrad Laimer, kept Martin Odegaard as quiet as possible.

Midfielder: Marcel Sabitzer, Borussia Dortmund

Maybe this is the week where Bayern’s fallen star shines again. The Austrian was the force behind Dortmund’s win over Atletico Madrid of all teams. Sabitzer served from midfield and scored the final goal of Tuesday’s rout, celebrating in a manner that reflected his full-match performance. It’s the kind of performance United fans never saw during his loan spell last season but will appreciate now. Jadon Sancho has also performed well for Dortmund, which might just double the regret at Old Trafford.

Midfielder: Vitinha, Paris Saint-Germain

A player who returns from last week’s selection, a player whose reputation continues to grow as PSG move forward in the competition. After scoring and performing well in the first leg, he scored a brilliant and crucial goal against Barcelona after Ronald Araujo was sent off. Vitinha took aim from a short corner and fired past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to put the score in Parisian hands. It was his passing that put Barca in trouble as PSG won the draw.

Forward: Ousmane Dembélé, Paris Saint-Germain

Dembélé is a match-winner for Olympique Luis, a classic example of a former player haunting his former club. Kylian Mbappe was upstaged for the first time despite scoring two late goals. Dembélé’s time in Catalonia has been extremely frustrating given his talent and price tag, with injuries and form. On Tuesday, he showed Barca what is possible. He leveled the score by hitting Bradley Bakra’s pass, before causing joyous hell down the right wing. He scored two goals in six months, both against Barcelona, ​​and left the pitch with a huge smile, even as the home fans jeered at him.

Forward: Julian Brandt, Borussia Dortmund

With Marco Reus fading and the routine departure of talent being sold to richer clubs, Brandt has become a leader at the club he joined in 2019. Jurgen Klopp preferred to sign Mohamed’s player Salah in 2017. Brandt, a deep-lying striker playing behind Nicolas Forkruger, was the main reason for Atletico’s downfall, collecting the ball deftly and scoring from a tight angle to score the opener. Throughout the game, he dictated the tempo and tempo of the game (having more possession than any other team except Dortmund’s centre-back pairing), keeping the game flowing and holding Atletico’s well-thought-out defense at bay. Out of position.

Forward: Rodrygo, Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s success at the Etihad Stadium was aided by a second-leg penalty shootout, but it still wouldn’t have been possible without the skill and precision of the Real Madrid Brazilian. Vinicius Junior himself played the role of victim, converting a layup at the second attempt after Jude Bellingham’s gentle touch. Rodrygo will soon be competing with Kylian Mbappe and Jndrick in the Real Madrid squad and he remains a match-winner. His sheer work rate up front is another huge factor in disrupting City’s flow.