The Champions League’s inaugural league section concluded this week, in a goal-laden (if complicated) finish to the brand new format.
It introduced an finish to the new-look league section and following the affirmation of these to have progressed, we’ve mirrored on the occasions in Europe’s high competitors up to now.
Listed below are our Champions League Awards for the 2024/25 League Section.
Greatest Staff – Liverpool
Liverpool eased to an automated place within the Spherical of 16, sealing progress with a sport to spare. Arne Slot’s facet received every of their first seven video games, conceding simply two objectives within the course of.
Alongside hard-fought wins on the likes of AC Milan and RB Leipzig, Liverpool despatched an announcement of their credentials on residence soil. Comfy wins over the champions of Germany (Bayer Leverkusen) and Spain (Actual Madrid) at Anfield have been a present of energy.
Largely untroubled all through, Slot’s facet’s good report solely got here to an finish when a second-string facet took on PSV this week with qualification assured.
Greatest Participant – Raphinha (Barcelona)
Raphinha’s outstanding marketing campaign at Barcelona continues to go from energy to energy. Closely linked with an exit in the summertime, the Brazilian is now the primary title on the group sheet in Spain. He has been a revelation underneath Hansi Flick with 23 objectives and 13 assists throughout all competitions.
The winger was straight concerned in 12 objectives in eight video games through the league section, greater than another participant within the event. He delivered in huge moments too, together with a hat-trick within the 4-1 thrashing of Bayern Munich and a last-gasp winner at Benfica.
His turnaround at Barcelona is likely one of the tales of the season.
Breakthrough participant – Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Although hardly an unknown amount, Florian Wirtz has been the perfect of the Champions League debutants this season. Six objectives in eight video games fired Bayer Leverkusen into the final 16, with the German champions bypassing a tough playoff tie.
Wirtz was an exquisite watch once in a while, underlining his standing as top-of-the-line younger skills within the sport. The 21-year-old is a star.
Greatest Aim – Zino Debast
Often when a centre-back strides ahead and takes goal from distance, there’s a collective groan from teammates and followers alike.
Not this time.
Zeno Debast’s blast is our Aim of the Match up to now.
Greatest Save – David Raya
All the way in which again on matchday one, Arsenal required the reflexes of David Raya to bail them out in Bergamo.
A goalless draw at Atalanta was earned the exhausting manner, with Raya the hero after this astonishing double cease. Having saved Meteo Retegui’s preliminary penalty, Raya sprang again into motion to disclaim the ahead a second time.
Razor-sharp.
Greatest Sport – Benfica 4-5 Barcelona
Benfica and Barcelona delivered an all-time basic on matchday seven, a contest that actually had all of it. A shock begin, three penalties, a pink card, some catastrophic goalkeeping and a last-gasp winner to cap a nine-goal thriller, it’s exhausting to think about there shall be a greater sport wherever this season.
Sit again and luxuriate in a bonkers conflict.
Shock package deal – Lille
As pre-tournament favourites Manchester Metropolis, Actual Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all didn’t make the highest eight, sandwiched in among the many elite have been Lille.
The French facet prevented a playoff after progressing straight to the Spherical of 16, their reward for an unforgettable European marketing campaign. Lille upset each Madrid groups through the league section and concluded their marketing campaign with a 6-1 dismantling of Feyenoord on the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
A facet famed for the event and sale of expertise may simply have attracted extra scouts to Northern France, the place Jonathan David, Edon Zhegora, Lucas Chevalier and Alexsandro Ribeiro are positive to be within the ideas of recruiters. Their European run has been a distinction to their home kind this season, the place Lille sit fifth in Ligue 1 after profitable simply three of their final 10.
Largest Disappointment – RB Leipzig
Manchester Metropolis’s win towards Membership Brugge on Wednesday noticed the Residents sneak by means of and Pep Guardiola’s facet are lucky to overlook out right here.
Our greatest disappointment, nevertheless, has been RB Leipzig, who exited Europe with out as a lot as a whimper. Seven defeats in eight video games is a poor return from a facet stacked with expertise, regardless of an, admittedly, powerful draw.
Solely Younger Boys and Slovan Bratislava collected much less factors than the Bundesliga facet.
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