The Football Faithful
·22 January 2026
Champions League Team of the Week – Romero, Jesus, Vinicius

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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·22 January 2026

The Liverpool loanee was outstanding as Ajax kept alive faint hopes of progress at Villarreal. The Dutch side earned a 2-1 win at El Madrigal, but relied on Jaros to keep them in the game. A string of saves from the Czech shot-stopper helped Ajax escape with a win.
Abduilkerim Bardakci helped Galatasaray hold Atletico Madrid in Istanbul, a result that edged the Turkish champions closer to the knockout stages.
The centre-back made eight clearances – including one off the goal-line – and blocked three shots in a performance full of determined defending.
A captain’s performance from Cristian Romero to keep Spurs on course for the last 16 and, perhaps, Thomas Frank in a job. The Argentine steered Spurs ahead with the opener from Wilson Odobert’s cross and led his team by example. He deserved the clean sheet.
Arne Slot was keen to highlight the performance of Joe Gomez as the rarely used Liverpool defender excelled in Marseille. So calm and defensively sound throughout. He should keep his place for the weekend, ahead of Ibrahima Konate.
We need to talk about Hans Vanaken. The veteran remains the heartbeat at Club Brugge and was instrumental in their 4-1 win at Kairat.
A goal, assist, and two chances created highlighted his ongoing importance to the Belgians. It’s now 260 goal involvements for Brugge across an 11-year spell with the club.
Athletic Bilbao survived an early onslaught to win a five-goal thriller in Atalanta. Roberto Navarro was the star for the Spaniards, creating their first two goals in the 3-2 win, before scoring the third himself in style.
Navarro’s cross for the second was out of this world, with the summer free transfer recruit settling nicely in Bilbao.
A real flash of Odobert’s potential as the 21-year-old dismantled Dortmund. Odobert assisted the opener for Cristian Romero, recovering from a scuffed shot to drive forward and square for his captain to convert.
He set up the second one, too, for Dominic Solanke, with a near interchange and cross into the box. So, so sharp.
A confident Vinicius Junior is a problem for any team in world football. The Brazilian tore AS Monaco to pieces as Real Madrid thrashed the French side this week, setting up two goals and scoring another at the Bernabeu.
In total, he created SEVEN chances and completed four dribbles in a 10/10 performance.
Gabriel Jesus’s audition for a more regular role at Arsenal was passed with flying colours this week.
The Brazilian started at the San Siro as Arsenal beat Inter Milan to make it seven straight Champions League wins. Two poachers’ efforts have given Mikel Arteta plenty to think about.
Kasper Hogh could perhaps hardly believe the space he was afforded as Bodo/Glimt upset the odds to beat Manchester City. The forward twice found himself in acres and punished the Premier League side.
After 40 goals over the last two seasons, Hogh started 2026 with a bang. It could be his final involvement for Bodo as clubs circle for his signature.
Kylian Mbappe’s explosive European campaign continued with two goals to sink former club, AS Monaco.
The Frenchman was apologetic to his old employers after another clinical performance. He’s averaging a Champions League goal every 48 minutes this season.







































