This week saw two of the most dramatic of matches in UEFA Champions League history. While the defending champions Real Madrid were embarrassed terribly at their home by a rather young Ajax side. A resurgent Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eliminated the fiery Paris Saint Germain at their own fortress. While last year's semi-finalist Roma went down to Porto 3-4 on aggregate. Tottenham was the only side that held onto their lead from the first leg to knock out Borussia Dortmund in their own home.
In our build to the Champions League round of 16, here is the UCL team of the game-week (Round of 16):
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper:
Hugo Lloris: It was just another day in the life of Hugo Lloris where he was successful in saving the ball from getting to the back of the net. Having the same back three from the first leg, Tottenham were rock solid in defence yet again. And even when the ball penetrated through, Lloris was there to the rescue for his side. Brilliant saves from the France International against the likes of Marco Reus, Julian Weigl, Mario Gotze and Jadon Sancho saw him earn yet another clean sheet in Europe.
Defence:
Jan Vertonghen: The big Belgian was on the task from the minute when the ref blew his whistle. His 10th-minute tackle on Marco Reus exemplified his resolve going into this match. Going against one of the most attacking sides in the world, Vertonghen was in the way of most of their attacks. Putting his body on the line to get the better of his German counterparts.
Pepe: Quite honestly, Porto was not the favourites as the match kicked off with Roma leading 2-1 in the tie. But on the 52nd-minute mark when Moussa Marega levelled the match up on aggregate, the honours were on Pepe and company to keep the likes of Dzeko and De Rossi away. And they managed it with some authority. Pepe was one of the silent heroes on the pitch for Porto.
Luke Shaw: Luke Shaw has been one of the most improved players in the Premier League this season. But this match held a different test for him altogether. It is not a nice sight for any defender to have Kylian Mbappe and Julian Draxler running at you. But he was up for the challenge. Nullifying every attack that came his way. He was a major threat offensively too as he saw United make one of the most incredible comebacks in the history of the Champions League.
Serge Aurier: Serge Aurier was in top form against the likes of Marco Reus, Mario Gotze and Jadon Sancho. And keeping in mind that the same players have been creating havoc from the right side of the pitch in the Bundesliga, a lot relied on the shoulders of the Ivorian to see his side through. And he was solid in defence throughout the game. Breaking the tempo of the game every now and again.
Midfield:
Fred: You just couldn't fancy Fred to be in the starting eleven if Solskjaer had the likes of Matic, Herrera, Mata and Pogba(suspended) fit for selection. But he made the most of the opportunity that came his way. He looked worth the money that United paid for his services in the summer. He was solid in defence and was quickly releasing the ball forward to get Lukaku and Rashford in on the act.
Frankie De Jong: The Barcelona-bound teenager had a point to prove to his newest employers and he did that with a bit of swag. He was all around the pitch, putting his body on the line to stop Vinicius Junior and running the entire yard of the pitch to provide pinpoint passes to his forwards. His one-touch play is a thing to behold. With the game having the likes of Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos, he was quite rightly the best midfielder on the pitch.
Moussa Sissoko: One of the most consistent performers for Tottenham this season has been Moussa Sissoko and he was on top of his game for this encounter too. It was Sissoko's ball through which Kane scored and put the tie far beyond the reach of Dortmund. He was defensively sound as well. Sissoko was unplayable, breaking every threat that came his way. It's fair to say that the former Newcastle man is getting better with every passing week.
Forwards:
Moussa Marega: Moussa Marega was at the heart of every attack going forward for Porto. He played a major role in the first goal. He was the one who started the move by winning the ball in the centre of the park before unleashing a vital cut-back for Francisco Soares to break the deadlock. And he got his goal too when his volley from Corona's cross found its way into the net. He has been instrumental to Porto's impressive run in the Champions League with a dozen goals already to his name in the tournament.
Dusan Tadic: If there was any player who was more influential than De Jong, it had to be Dusan Tadic. He just didn't put a foot wrong in the entire match. He assisted the first two goals before marking the occasion with a wonderful goal himself. It did require performance of this kind to knock the reigning champions out of the Champions League. Tadic tore apart the entire Real Madrid's defence with some quick feet and pinpoint accuracy.
Romelu Lukaku: Never in the history of the Champions League had a team that lost the first home leg 2-0 managed to get past to the quarterfinals of the Champions League. And with a total of 10 first team absentees to go with it, no one backed United to go through. But Lukaku had other thoughts. He pounced on every opportunity that came his way. Two mistakes from PSG and Lukaku was at the right place at the right time. Apart from the goals too, he was making life difficult for PSG's defence with the aerial superiority that he possesses.
Substitutes: Andre Onana, Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Kane, Juan Bernat, Marcus Rashford, and Jesus Manuel Corona.
Based on their recent performances, this side could be a real treat to watch!
