Barcelona's Lionel Messi stars in our Champions League Team of the Week

Tom Biggs 13:25 20/09/2018
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  • As the UEFA Champions League made its return this week, we witnessed a host of terrific individual performances from some of Europe’s biggest names.

    Lionel Messi moved on to 103 Champions League goals with a hat-trick against PSV, while Isco shone in Real Madrid’s 3-0 success at home to Roma and Paul Pogba netted twice for Manchester United in their win at Young Boys.

    Here we pick out the standout players from Tuesday and Wednesday’s action to form our first Champions League Team of the Week for the season…

    GK: Robin Olsen (Roma)

    His team may have lost, but Olsen left the Bernabeu with his head held high having made some high-class saves to keep the score respectable against Real Madrid. The Sweden No1 made eight saves in total, including a fine stops from Isco and Marco Asensio in either half. Olsen could do little about all three goals he conceded.

    RB: Joao Cancelo (Juventus)

    After Juventus were reduced to ten men when Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off, the work rate of their full-backs was going to be crucial against Valencia. So it proved, with Portugal star Cancelo providing excellent support both defensively and offensively. The 24-year-old made three tackles, three interceptions and two clearances, while also providing a threat at the other end.

    CB: Marcelo (Lyon)

    Experienced defender Marcelo was a warrior at the back for Lyon alongside Jason Denayer in their shock win at Manchester City. The Brazilian threw himself in the way of everything as Pep Guardiola’s side looked to get themselves back in the game. Marcelo made ten clearances, four interceptions and one tackle to help the Ligue 1-outfit record a memorable result.

    CB: Felipe (Porto)

    Despite dominating possession, Porto were still troubled in their 1-1 draw away at Schalke. Thanks to the excellent defensive work of Felipe and fellow Brazilian Eder Militao, they came away with a point. Felipe, 29, made an impressive six interceptions, nine clearances and two tackles to deny the Germans, also winning nine aerial duels in an excellent defensive showing.

    LB: Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax)

    Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico scored twice against AEK Athens

    Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico scored twice against AEK Athens

    Scorer of the 500th goal by an Argentine in the Champions League, Tagliafico was excellent as Ajax kicked off with a victory. The left-back took his opening goal superbly, firing home on the volley, before a rather fortuitous second late on. The 26-year-old did his job defensively too, making three tackles, four interceptions and one clearance.

    CM: James Milner (Liverpool)

    At 32-years old, Milner just seems to get better with age. His fine start to the Premier League season carried over to the European stage, with a superb showing in Liverpool’s win against PSG. After confidently converting from the spot, the midfielder was excellent in possession, while also helping out defensively with five tackles to quell the threat from PSG.

    CM: Isco (Real Madrid)

    After Lionel Messi’s perfect free-kick on the Tuesday night, Madrid star Isco followed suit 24 hours later, netting from 20 yards to get the reigning champions up and running against Roma. The Spaniard was excellent in possession throughout, making an impressive five key passes and finishing with a pass accuracy of 90 per cent from his 69 passes.

    CM: Paul Pogba (Man United)

    Paul Pogba netted twice for Manchester United

    Paul Pogba netted twice for Manchester United

    A completely dominant midfield performance from Pogba, who was at the heart of everything Manchester United did well in their 3-0 win against Young Boys. The World Cup winner netted a superb left-footed strike to open the scoring, before finding the back of the net, again, from the penalty spot. After scoring twice, he then turned provider, driving forward before finding Anthony Martial, who made the game safe.

    CAM: Nabil Fekir (Lyon)

    So close to a move to Liverpool in the summer, Fekir showed just what he can do on English shores as he produced a terrific display to help Lyon stun Manchester City. After providing the assist for the opener, Fekir struck a low shot beyond Ederson to double Lyon’s lead. With three key passes and a pass accuracy of 88 per cent, the Frenchman showed his quality in a huge win for his side.

    ST: Michal Krmencik (Viktoria Plzen)

    While his two goals couldn’t help Viktoria Plzen to a winning start at home to CSKA Moscow, Krmencik can be delighted with his display in the 2-2 draw. The Czech striker took both of his goals superbly well, reacting well to fire home a loose ball in the box for the opener, before an exquisite volley doubled his side’s lead.

    ST: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

    An eighth Champions League hat-trick for the magician. Messi was at his best in Barcelona’s 4-0 win against PSV, getting his side up and running with an inch-perfect free-kick. The Argentine added to that brilliant opener with two superbly taken goals in the second half. He looks like a man on a mission in the Champions League this season.

    Our Champions League Team of the Week from matchday one

    Our Champions League Team of the Week from matchday one

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