LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). Andreas Christensen, the Chelsea defender, has homework over the next six days, analysing how Vinicius utterly mastered his territory in the first half of Madrid’s 3-1 win. ‘Vini’ could have opened the scoring, hitting the bar. His fine cross invited Benzema to make it 1-0. AFP
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (4-3-3): GK Odysseas Vlachodimos (Benfica). He conceded three goals. But it could have been twice as many. The Greece international had a busy evening against Liverpool at the Estadio da Luz. He can expect a demanding one at Anfield next week, too, but he has just about kept Benfica’s slim hopes in the tie alive. Getty
RB Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Not for the first time on a late-phase, big-stage Champions League night, the Liverpool right-back took the initiative and epitomised his team’s self-belief. A terrific long pass helped create one goal, a super through ball to Mohamed Salah nearly made another. EPA
CB Juan Foyth (Villarreal). An outstanding showing from the former Tottenham Hotspur player, disciplined in his containing of the livewire potential of Bayern Munich’s left-sided attacking players but also proactive. He was involved in Villarreal’s early goal in the surprise 1-0 win for the underdogs. EPA
CB Felipe (Atletico Madrid). Towering in the air, astute in his positioning and careful in how he timed his more aggressive challenges, the Brazilian endured a sapping night of constant vigilance against Manchester City. He set the tone for his team’s defensive rigour. EPA
LB David Alaba (Real Madrid). The go-to man in Madrid’s back four when calm needs restoring. Alaba, ex of Bayern Munich, played his 100th Champions League fixture at Stamford Bridge. He marshalled the defence in masterly fashion, always with a sharp eye on the chance for a counter-attack. EPA
RM Giovani Lo Celso (Villarreal). An inspired, dynamic showing from one of Villarreal’s several former Spurs players. A step ahead of his Bayern’s opponents in his vision, inventive in his passing, and the crosser who made the goal that puts his team 1-0 ahead going to Bavaria next week. AP
CM Naby Keita (Liverpool). One error in possession, but beyond that a commanding display for a midfielder yet to fully convince that he is good value for his high transfer fee, but getting to the point where he soon may. Bold and mobile in Lisbon, he helped set up the important third Liverpool goal. AFP
LM Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City). Where avenues are forever closed, De Bruyne will keep probing. City came up against a low block of warrior defenders - all 11 of them for much of the time Atletico resigned themselves only to damage-limitation - and it was the tireless Belgian who eventually breached the wall. Reuters
RW Phil Foden (Manchester City). The man with the key to unlock an exceptionally stubborn Atletico Madrid. Foden was introduced as a substitute, asked to seek out the tiny gaps in a deep-set, highly-choreographed opponent. Foden obliged, setting up the one goal of the night. Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / Getty Images)
LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). Andreas Christensen, the Chelsea defender, has homework over the next six days, analysing how Vinicius utterly mastered his territory in the first half of Madrid’s 3-1 win. ‘Vini’ could have opened the scoring, hitting the bar. His fine cross invited Benzema to make it 1-0. AFP
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (4-3-3): GK Odysseas Vlachodimos (Benfica). He conceded three goals. But it could have been twice as many. The Greece international had a busy evening against Liverpool at the Estadio da Luz. He can expect a demanding one at Anfield next week, too, but he has just about kept Benfica’s slim hopes in the tie alive. Getty
RB Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Not for the first time on a late-phase, big-stage Champions League night, the Liverpool right-back took the initiative and epitomised his team’s self-belief. A terrific long pass helped create one goal, a super through ball to Mohamed Salah nearly made another. EPA
CB Juan Foyth (Villarreal). An outstanding showing from the former Tottenham Hotspur player, disciplined in his containing of the livewire potential of Bayern Munich’s left-sided attacking players but also proactive. He was involved in Villarreal’s early goal in the surprise 1-0 win for the underdogs. EPA
CB Felipe (Atletico Madrid). Towering in the air, astute in his positioning and careful in how he timed his more aggressive challenges, the Brazilian endured a sapping night of constant vigilance against Manchester City. He set the tone for his team’s defensive rigour. EPA
LB David Alaba (Real Madrid). The go-to man in Madrid’s back four when calm needs restoring. Alaba, ex of Bayern Munich, played his 100th Champions League fixture at Stamford Bridge. He marshalled the defence in masterly fashion, always with a sharp eye on the chance for a counter-attack. EPA
RM Giovani Lo Celso (Villarreal). An inspired, dynamic showing from one of Villarreal’s several former Spurs players. A step ahead of his Bayern’s opponents in his vision, inventive in his passing, and the crosser who made the goal that puts his team 1-0 ahead going to Bavaria next week. AP
CM Naby Keita (Liverpool). One error in possession, but beyond that a commanding display for a midfielder yet to fully convince that he is good value for his high transfer fee, but getting to the point where he soon may. Bold and mobile in Lisbon, he helped set up the important third Liverpool goal. AFP
LM Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City). Where avenues are forever closed, De Bruyne will keep probing. City came up against a low block of warrior defenders - all 11 of them for much of the time Atletico resigned themselves only to damage-limitation - and it was the tireless Belgian who eventually breached the wall. Reuters
RW Phil Foden (Manchester City). The man with the key to unlock an exceptionally stubborn Atletico Madrid. Foden was introduced as a substitute, asked to seek out the tiny gaps in a deep-set, highly-choreographed opponent. Foden obliged, setting up the one goal of the night. Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / Getty Images)
LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). Andreas Christensen, the Chelsea defender, has homework over the next six days, analysing how Vinicius utterly mastered his territory in the first half of Madrid’s 3-1 win. ‘Vini’ could have opened the scoring, hitting the bar. His fine cross invited Benzema to make it 1-0. AFP
