UCL Fans' Top 5: Zlatan inspires PSG and Ederson stars for SLB

Sport360 staff 15:12 10/03/2016
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  • Who was your best player in this week's Champions League games?

    YOU have direct influence on who appears in each Top Five so be sure to rate each weekend.

    Do you agree with this week’s Top Five? Have your say by using our Valora Futbol tool or on Twitter using #360Fans. ​

     1. ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (PSG) – 7.29

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent Chelsea crashing out of the Champions League as PSG booked their place in the quarter-finals for the fourth year in a row following a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

    Leading 2-1 from the first leg of the last 16 tie, PSG stretched their lead when Ibrahimovic crossed for Adrien Rabiot to tap in and he volleyed home in the 68th minute to complete a 4-2 aggregate success.

    Zlatan continues to chase an illustrious first Champions League medal, one that he has failed to achieve in his prominent career to date.

    Could 2016 be the year?

    2. EDERSON MORAES (Benfica) – 6.87

    With Julian Caesar injured, 23-year-old Moraes was making his Champions League debut and just his second start of the season against Zenit St Petersburg.

    The Brazilian didn’t look out of place either, making a number of precious saves to earn his team a place in the last eight of the competition.

    One of the saves of the match was denying Artyom Dzyuba – scorer of six goals in the group stages – early in the first-half when a goal looked certain.

    He showed his composure again after the break, forcing a save from Igor Smolnikov after a scramble in the box.

    3. DIEGO COSTA (Chelsea) – 6.65

    Diego Costa looked like being the night’s hero after an energetic display against PSG, cancelling out Adrien Rabiot’s opener after 27 minutes.

    However, despite the defeat, Costa was a menace and was always looking to get on the ball and force attacking opportunities.

    His goal was a gem. Thiago Motta lost the ball in midfield to Pedro, and fed Costa, who burst past Thiago Silva and nestled the ball into the bottom corner.

    4. NICOLAS GAITAN (Benfica) – 6.48

    The Argentine’s late goal powered Benfica through to the next round as they beat Zenit 3-1 on aggregate in Russia.

    The decisive goal from nowhere came in the 85th minute. Substitute Raul Jimenez crashed a shot off the woodwork from distance and, with Yuri Lodygin taken out of the game, Gaitan followed in to score.

    If Benfica are to be a realistic force in the last eight, they will need influential figures like Gaitan and Talisca to step up for Rui Vitoria’s men.

    5. CRISTIANO RONALDO (Real Madrid) – 6.46

    A man who needs no introduction.

    A goal and an assist from the Portuguese maestro helped secure Real Madrid’s passage through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

    Ronaldo swept home Vazquez’s cross in the first-half for his 13th UCL goal of the season before teeing up James Rodriguez to tuck home the second.

    With Madrid looking confident under Zinedine Zidane’s tutelage, could this be the year they usurp their Spanish rivals Barcelona and lift the European crown for a record 11th time?

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