Champions League Fans’ Top 5: Wolfsburg star Henrique top

Sport360 staff 14:04 07/04/2016
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  • Victorious Wolfsburg lead the Valora Futbol UCL top five.

    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) BRUNO HENRIQUE (WOLFSBURG) – 7.78

    Wolfsburg shocked giants Real Madrid in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final – and new forward Henrique revelled in his first European outing for his new team.

    The 25-year-old, who signed for the Bundesliga side in January from Brazilian side Goias, caused the Los Blancos backline plenty of problems with pace and trickery, setting-up Max Arnold for Wolfsburg’s second goal.

    Dieter Hecking is beginning to show lots of faith in Henrique, who in recent weeks has become a permanent fixture in his side.

    2) LUIS SUAREZ (BARCELONA) – 6.98

    The Barcelona hitman bagged a crucial second-half brace for the Catalan giants as they turned the tables to comeback and defeat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.

    Diego Simeone’s men argued that Suarez should not have been on the pitch to score those goals after he was caught kicking out at defender Juanfran, in a first-half incident which could have led to a red card.

    But the 29-year-old carried on with his goalscoring business, proding home an equaliser from close range in the 63rd minute to break stubborn Atletico’s 10-man resistance.

    And just over 10 minutes later, Suarez powerfully headed in Dani Alves’ pin-point centre to give Barca a slender lead heading into next week’s second-leg.

    3) FERNANDINHO (MANCHESTER CITY) – 6.91

    Fernandinho scored a 72nd-minute equaliser to give Manchester City the advantage going into Tuesday’s second-leg at the Etihad Stadium.

    The Brazilian played a hand in both Blues goals, and despite failing to track Adrien Rabiot for PSG’s second, he looked a totemic presence on and off the ball.

    He intercepted a loose pass to feed Kevin de Bruyne for City’s opener on 38 minutes, and pounced on some comical PSG defending to score a decisive second goal with 18 minutes remaining.

    Those away goals, and the fact PSG will be without the suspended David Luiz and Blaise Matuidi for the return, could prove crucial.

    4) EDERSON MORAES (BENFICA) – 6.87

    Despite finishing on the losing team, goalkeeper Ederson pulled off a string of superb saves to keep Benfica’s Champions League hopes alive.

    With Julio Caesar ruled out with a groin injury, 22-year-old Ederson stepped up to deliver an impressive display as he denied Arturo Vidal, Franck Ribery, Douglas Costa and Thomas Mueller from adding a second goal.

    Trailing 1-0 ahead of the second-leg on Wednesday in Lisbon, Benfica will be bidding to reach the last four for the first time since 1990.

    5) JARDEL (BENFICA) – 6.82

    It was always going to prove to be a difficult task for Benfica to beat Bayern without the deadly duo of Jonas and Kostas Mitroglou up front – the pair having scored 48 goals so far in the Portuguese league – but one man to lead by example was the titanic Jardel.

    The defender played a key role in ensuring Encarnados still have a chance in the second-leg, bravely blocking Costa’s shot and cutting out Bayern’s threat and pace down the right flank.

    He was instrumental throughout and Rui Vitoria’s side will need the Brazilian to replicate his magic if they are to progress to the last four of the competition.

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