The first round of Champions League fixtures are done and several players wasted no time making their mark on this edition.
Two hat-tricks were scored this week, including one from a teenage debutant. Meanwhile, Real Madrid were put to the sword by a former player.
Here’s our Team of the Week.
(4-3-3)
GK: MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN | BARCELONA
If not for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marco Reus would likely have made this week’s team. The Barcelona keeper denied his compatriot on multiple occasions, even saving his penalty. Ter Stegen was flawless between the sticks and made good saves look routine.
Ter Stegen is definitely NOT the guy you want to face from the spot. 😱 pic.twitter.com/GNNuvdeAyB
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 17, 2019
RB: KIERAN TRIPPIER | ATLETICO MADRID
Trippier contained Cristiano Ronaldo reasonably well without really being sucked into one-on-one battles. The Englishman supplied 11 crosses, including seven key passes. He delivered the corner for Hector Herrera’s late equaliser and even made a goal-line clearance.
Kieran Trippier created 7 chances vs. Juventus, 3 more than any other player on the pitch.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 18, 2019
Caused havoc with his corners. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/zppz135yXi
CB: MATS HUMMELS | BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Outstanding in defence and showed why Dortmund re-signed him. His reading of the game was superb, making eight interceptions to break up several attacks. He also registered four tackles and nine clearances as he lead the back-line expertly against Barca.
Mats Hummels' #UCL game by numbers vs. Barcelona:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 17, 2019
100% duels won
87% pass accuracy
53 touches
10 clearances
7 interceptions
6 recoveries
3 tackles
0 fouls committed
0 goals conceded
Back to his very best. pic.twitter.com/wt7LSzJUzp
CB: NICOLAS TAGLIAFICO | AJAX
The Ajax left-back has rarely featured in the middle of defence but we had to fit him into this XI after his goal and assist against Lille. With eight tackles and eight interceptions, he was brilliant in defence. He set up Quincy Promes for the opener and rounded off the scoring with a bullet header of his own.
Give it up for today’s King! 🇦🇷
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) September 14, 2019
🤴 Nico Tagliafico#KingOfTheMatch pic.twitter.com/LunFtddz4t
LB: JUAN BERNAT | PSG
Juan Bernat is the reason for Tagliafico’s move into central defence. His run and cut-back for Angel Di Maria’s opener was excellent but not as good as his selfless play at the death when he combined with Thomas Meunier for the Belgian to slot home the third goal.
CM: THIAGO ALCANTARA | BAYERN MUNICH
Not enough praise is showered on Thiago Alcantara. Apart from setting up Thomas Muller for the third goal with a clever chipped free-kick, the Spaniard was indomitable in midfield. He absolutely bossed proceedings with 110 passes, controlling the game effortlessly.
CM: RIYAD MAHREZ | MANCHESTER CITY
Having been afforded a start by Pep Guardiola, Riyad Mahrez grabbed the opportunity with both hands and delivered a match-winning display. He was heavily involved in the final third and was alert to break the deadlock before assisting Ilkay Gundogan as well.
CM: ANGEL DE MARIA | PSG
Never mind filling in for one superstar, Di Maria did so for three. With Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Neymar all unavailable, the Argentine stepped up and produced a couple of stunning goals to inspire PSG to a resounding win over Madrid. He came close to completing his hat-trick a couple of times.
RW: MISLAV ORSIC | DINAMO ZAGREB
A measured finish from outside the area saw him slot away his first before he was on hand to nod into an empty net from Bruno Petkovic’s knockdown. Peeled away from the right-back well before bringing down the ball and finishing with aplomb in the far corner for his third goal.
Mislav Oršić is the first Dinamo Zagreb player to score a Champions League hat-trick in the #UCL era.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 18, 2019
⚽️ 31'
⚽️ 42'
⚽️ 68'
History has been made. pic.twitter.com/XCZNJPayNj
ST: ERLING HAALAND| RB SALZBURG
The last player to score a hat-trick on his Champions League debut was Wayne Rooney. If Erling Haaland is anywhere near as good, he has a decent career ahead of him. He showed great composure and clinical finishing for his treble, profiting from some good work by strike partner Hwang Hee-Chan.
Erling Braut Håland for Red Bull Salzburg this season:
— UtdArena. (@utdarena) September 17, 2019
👤 – 9 games
⚽ – 17 goals
🅰 – 4 assists
📈 – 33:29 minutes per goal-involvement
He has a hatrick in the first half. That write-up may change in the next hour.
19-years old. pic.twitter.com/aiuI08nZ91
LW: TIMO WERNER | RB LEIPZIG
His two goals in the second half came against the run of play. His first in particular was instinctive as he hit a loose ball first time past the keeper from just inside the box. It was a sucker punch to Benfica who were the team on top. A poacher’s finish then secured the points with Portuguese outfit only having time to halve the deficit before the final whistle.