Champions League Team of the Week – Osimhen, Forbs, Foden | OneFootball

Our Champions League Team of the Week pays tribute to the finest performers from the matchday four action.

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich

A calming presence when Bayern Munich came under fire at Paris Saint-Germain. The German champions had issued a statement by racing into a two-goal lead against the holders, but Luis Diaz’s red card before half-time invited pressure.

Fortunately, Bayern had Neuer to rely upon, with eight saves and unwavering composure.

Right-back: Conor Bradley – Liverpool

Few full-backs have broken Vinicius Junior’s spirit quite like this. On the night that Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to Anfield, Conor Bradley showed he has what it takes to be the Reds’ right-back for the long term.

He dominated his duel with one of the world’s best wide players and tested the Brazilian’s work ethic by driving forward to join the attack.

Centre-back: Loic Balde – Bayer Leverkusen

An immense presence as Bayer Leverkusen got their European campaign up and running. Having shipped seven to PSG last time out, Balde was at the heart of the German side’s resistance in their 1-0 win at Benfica.

He won 100% of his defensive duels (6/6), made a crucial goal-line clearance to stop Vangelis Pavlidis scoring, and barely misplaced a pass (97.2%). Crucial to Leverkusen’s smash-and-grab win in Lisbon.

Centre-back: Derrick Luckassen – Pafos

A historic night for Cypriot football saw Pafos claim their first-ever win in the Champions League proper. Derrick Luckassen scored the only goal against Villarreal, meeting Ken Sema’s corner kick to head home.

The Dutch defender was also critical to the clean sheet, with a mammoth 12 clearances. A huge win for Pafos, who now have five points and three clean sheets from their four games. Founded just 12 years ago, it’s some story.

Left-back: Dan Burn – Newcastle United

There’s rarely a more popular scorer at St James’ Park than big Dan Burn. The defender scored a sensational header to open the scoring against Athletic Bilbao, meeting Kieran Trippier’s free-kick perfectly at the back post.

Newcastle have impressed in Europe despite mixed league form. Aggressive in his defending, hometown hero Burn has been at the heart of it.

Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool

Continues to be the driving force in Arne Slot’s side this season. The Hungarian has excelled since reverting back to his role as the most advanced of a midfield three, with his surging runs and energy setting the tone.

He was everywhere against Real Madrid, forcing two good saves from Thibaut Courtois and creating the winner with a wonderful set-piece delivery.

Midfield: Phil Foden – Manchester City

The standout player on the pitch as Manchester City eased past Borussia Dortmund. Pep Guardiola believes Foden is getting back to his best in a welcome sight for all involved at City.

Two brilliantly taken goals were the highlight of a performance in which Foden ran the show, finding pockets of space and punishing the Dortmund defence. Thomas Tuchel, take note.

Right-wing: Carlos Forbs – Club Brugge

Barcelona couldn’t live with him on a memorable night for Club Brugge. The winger beat the offside trap to set up Nicolo Tresoldi for the opener, before finishing the second wonderfully after the same two players combined.

Forbs for his second of the night in a see-sawing game with a dinked finish to deceive Wojciech Szczesny. Brugge weren’t able to hold on for the win, but this is an evening that will live long in the memory.

Left-wing: Florian Wirtz – Liverpool

No tangible end product for the social media vultures, but the eye test certainly showed Florian Wirtz in fine form against Real Madrid.

The German brought work-rate and classy composure in possession, linking well with his Liverpool teammates. One perfect pass was wasted by Dominik Szoboszlai, though this was encouraging from the summer signings. It feels a matter of when – and not if – it clicks for Wirtz at Anfield.

Forward: Mikel Merino – Arsenal

Mikel Merino had never played centre-forward before Arsenal’s desperate roll of the dice last season.

Since then, he’s become the reliable auxiliary option Mikel Arteta needs, in addition to finding a real purple patch in a Spain shirt. It’s now 19 goals for club and country in 2025, after Merino netted twice in a 3-0 win at Slavia Prague.

Forward: Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen fired his way to the top of the Champions League’s scoring chart after netting a hat-trick in Galatasaray’s 3-0 win at Ajax. The Nigerian broke the deadlock with a header from Leroy Sane’s cross, before confidently dispatching two penalties to claim the match ball.

He’s now scored in eight consecutive European games for the Turkish champions. There will be some huge European clubs regretting not rivalling Galatasaray for his signature last summer.

Read – Five of the best solo goals in Champions League history

See more – Youngest Champions League players ever as Arsenal starlet makes history

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