LW: Riyad Mahrez (Man City). His three goals in the semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain represent the difference between another City near-miss and their first Champions League final. The big occasion suits the Algerian, coolest man on the pitch over an epic 180 minutes. AP
GK: David De Gea (Man United). It’s a nice gig, defending a 6-2 first-leg lead. It becomes troubling when you have to make 10 vital saves in the second leg. De Gea, no longer automatic first-choice at United, reminded, at Roma, of his shot-stopping excellence, steering his team to the Europa League final. AFP
RB: Mario Gaspar (Villarreal). A wonderful night at Arsenal for the Villarreal stalwart, veteran of over 400 games with the club but in the side thanks to others’ injuries for their historic qualification for the Europa League final. Kept the Arsenal left flank largely quiet with his diligence. AP
CB: Ruben Dias (Man City). Impeccable. City’s defensive monolith blocked Paris Saint-Germain shots with every part of his body on the rare occasions where he wasn’t intercepting danger earlier. A transformative player for a club on their way to a first Champions League final. AFP
CB: Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea). Six months ago, he was on the margins at Chelsea. A new manager brought renewed faith in the forthright German defender, who against Real Madrid was resolute at the back and always alert to attacking opportunities on the counter. Reuters
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Man City). So much for City’s problem position. On the landmark night of the club’s history, the position was given to the unsung warrior, Zinchenko. He contained, with maturity, PSG’s best efforts on his flank and attacked with relish and great effect. EPA
CM: Dani Parejo (Villarreal). All his vast knowhow concentrated into a cool, selfless performance at Arsenal. Never flustered, shrewdly positioned at the base of midfield, he has emerged as a reliable leader in Villarreal’s best-ever run in a European competition. Reuters
CM: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea). Not many men run rings around Real Madrid’s Casemiro, let alone outshine Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Kante did it over two legs, and besides the defensive covering that is his second nature, he helped create both goals at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images
AM: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City). Who wouldn’t make De Bruyne their centrepiece? The one club who willingly let him leave, Chelsea, may be painfully reminded, yet again, of their error. The Belgian, dominant throughout the semi against PSG, will face Chelsea in the Champions League final. Getty Images
RW: Pedro (Roma). The winger who has won everything believed in the impossible against Manchester United in Rome. He led Roma's attempt to erase a vast first-leg deficit. With Pedro at his wiry, inventive best, Roma briefly threatened a full comeback. Reuters
CF: Edinson Cavani (Man United). In a week that made the orthodox, free-scoring centre-forward look unfashionable, Cavani gave one of his regular reminders that there is no surer currency than the high-class finisher. Scored two in Rome, to add to his brace and three assists in the first leg. Reuters
LW: Riyad Mahrez (Man City). His three goals in the semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain represent the difference between another City near-miss and their first Champions League final. The big occasion suits the Algerian, coolest man on the pitch over an epic 180 minutes. AP
GK: David De Gea (Man United). It’s a nice gig, defending a 6-2 first-leg lead. It becomes troubling when you have to make 10 vital saves in the second leg. De Gea, no longer automatic first-choice at United, reminded, at Roma, of his shot-stopping excellence, steering his team to the Europa League final. AFP
RB: Mario Gaspar (Villarreal). A wonderful night at Arsenal for the Villarreal stalwart, veteran of over 400 games with the club but in the side thanks to others’ injuries for their historic qualification for the Europa League final. Kept the Arsenal left flank largely quiet with his diligence. AP
CB: Ruben Dias (Man City). Impeccable. City’s defensive monolith blocked Paris Saint-Germain shots with every part of his body on the rare occasions where he wasn’t intercepting danger earlier. A transformative player for a club on their way to a first Champions League final. AFP
CB: Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea). Six months ago, he was on the margins at Chelsea. A new manager brought renewed faith in the forthright German defender, who against Real Madrid was resolute at the back and always alert to attacking opportunities on the counter. Reuters
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Man City). So much for City’s problem position. On the landmark night of the club’s history, the position was given to the unsung warrior, Zinchenko. He contained, with maturity, PSG’s best efforts on his flank and attacked with relish and great effect. EPA
CM: Dani Parejo (Villarreal). All his vast knowhow concentrated into a cool, selfless performance at Arsenal. Never flustered, shrewdly positioned at the base of midfield, he has emerged as a reliable leader in Villarreal’s best-ever run in a European competition. Reuters
CM: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea). Not many men run rings around Real Madrid’s Casemiro, let alone outshine Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Kante did it over two legs, and besides the defensive covering that is his second nature, he helped create both goals at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images
AM: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City). Who wouldn’t make De Bruyne their centrepiece? The one club who willingly let him leave, Chelsea, may be painfully reminded, yet again, of their error. The Belgian, dominant throughout the semi against PSG, will face Chelsea in the Champions League final. Getty Images
RW: Pedro (Roma). The winger who has won everything believed in the impossible against Manchester United in Rome. He led Roma's attempt to erase a vast first-leg deficit. With Pedro at his wiry, inventive best, Roma briefly threatened a full comeback. Reuters
CF: Edinson Cavani (Man United). In a week that made the orthodox, free-scoring centre-forward look unfashionable, Cavani gave one of his regular reminders that there is no surer currency than the high-class finisher. Scored two in Rome, to add to his brace and three assists in the first leg. Reuters
LW: Riyad Mahrez (Man City). His three goals in the semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain represent the difference between another City near-miss and their first Champions League final. The big occasion suits the Algerian, coolest man on the pitch over an epic 180 minutes. AP
