Our Champions League Awards honour the very best – and worst – of the midweek European motion, that includes the Madrid derby and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Second of the Week
Atletico Madrid simply can’t exorcise their demons towards Actual Madrid. For the fifth time the capital golf equipment met within the Champions League and, for the fifth time, Actual Madrid progressed. It’s typically been agonising for Atletico and this was no completely different. Conor Gallagher’s purpose inside 27 seconds noticed The Metropolitano erupt as Atletico levelled the tie, one unable to be separated throughout 210 minutes of motion.
As was the case within the 2016 closing between the groups, penalties determined the end result. Once more, Atletico fell brief. Julian Alvarez’s spot-kick was dramatically dominated out because the Argentine slipped on contact, deemed to have touched the ball twice earlier than it hit the online.
“Are you afraid since you’re going to be punished?” 🤐
Diego Simeone reacts to Julian Alvarez drama after Atletico Madrid’s Champions League exit.
🎥 UEFA2025
Although Jan Oblak saved from Lucas Vazquez, Marcos Llorente hit his effort towards the bar for Atleti. Antonio Rudiger settled the shootout – and tie – to maintain Actual Madrid’s dream of a sixteenth European title alive. Atletico’s ambitions ended once more by their fiercest rivals.
Participant of the Week
Gianluigi Donnarumma had his critics after Paris Saint-German’s defeat to Liverpool final week. Whereas Alisson was extraordinary on the different finish to frustrate the French champions, Donnarumma didn’t get a powerful sufficient hand to Harvey Elliott’s smash-and-grab winner.
The Italian answered these critics at Anfield. An engrossing recreation noticed the 2 groups commerce blows all through on Merseyside, with Donnarumma equal to something Liverpool threw at him. He relieved strain with six aerial claims, earlier than standing tall to resolve the shootout.
Saves from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones despatched PSG into the quarter-finals and few will fancy going through Luis Enrique’s facet within the latter levels. For Donnarumma, it was one other unforgettable night in England, after his heroics for Italy in the course of the Euro 2020 closing at Wembley. He’s now confronted 12 penalties in shootouts in England, with seven saved or missed.
Aim of the Week
We’ve not seen something like Lamine Yamal earlier than. Not at this age. Not Lionel Messi. Not Cristiano Ronaldo. Maybe not even Pele, given the completely different period, regardless of World Cup success at 17.
It’s simple to neglect that Yamal doesn’t flip 18 till July. He’s already approaching 60 targets and assists for membership and nation. He’s received a significant worldwide event. La Liga and, maybe, the Champions League might comply with earlier than that 18th birthday.
The youngest participant to attain and help in a Champions League recreation this week, he helped Barcelona e book their place within the final eight. One other second of magic to savour from {the teenager}.
“The prince will not be far off turning into the king spherical this place” 👑
Lamine Yamal’s produces an exquisite roller to make it 3-1 on combination to Barcelona 🤩
Save of the Week
Lucas Chevalier would possibly simply be a person in demand this summer season. The goalkeeper has been excellent throughout Lille’s run to the knockout rounds and did his utmost to defy Dortmund within the final 16. It wasn’t sufficient for progress, however triple saves of this ilk could have turned the heads of recruiters.
“HOW MANY TIMES” 😧
Chevalier denies Dortmund THREE occasions 🧤
Stat of the Week
Aston Villa followers have a brand new favorite.
It’s not too typically January signings hit the bottom operating however Marco Asensio has finished simply that. Two targets towards Membership Brugge took The Villans into the Champions League quarter-finals and made it seven in all competitions since his mortgage arrival from PSG.
Time to open talks over a everlasting deal?
6 – Solely Ousmane Dembélé (8) has scored extra targets in Europe’s large 5 leagues throughout all competitions than Marco Asensio since his debut for Aston Villa in February (6). Hero.
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