Champions League Team of the Week: Rashford, Vlahovic, Kane | OneFootball

Our Champions League Team of the Week after a brilliant round of action on matchday one. Featuring star names from Liverpool, Barcelona, and Juventus.

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia – Barcelona

The Spaniard was called into regular action as Newcastle knocked on the door against Barcelona. Garcia made five saves, including a massive drop to deny Harvey Barnes one-on-one.

Right-back: Matheus Silva – Qarabag

Qarabag produced a stunning comeback to become the first Azerbaijani side to win a Champions League game in the competition proper. Two goals down inside 16 minutes, Qarabag refused to give up to claim a 3-2 win at Benfica.

Matheus Silva epitomised their fighting spirit, with the right-back winning a massive seven tackles and 16 defensive duels, in addition to a crucial last-man challenge.

Centre-back: Derrick Lukassen – Pafos

Pafos battled to a point on their Champions League debut, with the Cypriot champions holding Olympiacos to a goalless draw in Athens. Their resilient result came despite the dismissal of Bruno Felipe after just 26 minutes and the enforced substitution of ex-Chelsea defender David Luiz.

In the absence of Luiz, Derrick Lukassen was a rock. The Dutch defender racked up a mammoth 19 clearances to help Pafos to a point.

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk has been colossal for Liverpool this season and delivered when the Reds needed him on matchday one.

Having made more clearances (8) and won more aerial duels (6) than any other Liverpool player against Atletico Madrid, he rose to thump home a late winner at Anfield.

Left-back: Youssoupha Mbodji – Slavia Prague

Slavia Prague defender Mbodji certainly had a Champions League debut to remember. Mbodji scored his first goal for Slavia to open the scoring against Bodo/Glimt, but required goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek to bail him out with a save after conceding a penalty.

Just minutes later, the 21-year-old found the net again to make it an unlikely brace on his first appearance in the competition.

Midfield: Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter Milan

Having agitated for an exit in the summer, Hakan Calhanoglu has responded with some strong performances for Inter.

After scoring twice against Juventus at the weekend, his dead-ball delivery was the difference in Inter’s 2-0 win at Ajax. Two expert crosses found Marcus Thuram to head home and decide the game.

Midfield: Hans Vanaken – Club Brugge

At 33, Hans Vanaken remains the driving force of the Club Brugge side. The veteran was instrumental in the club’s 4-1 win over Monaco, completing 100% of his dribbles (3/3) and ending the contest with a goal and assist. His strike was stunning, an instinctive volley beyond a crowd of players.

Midfield: Francisco Trincão – Sporting Lisbon

Two excellent goals from Francisco Trincāo set Sporting on their way to a 4-1 win over minnows Kairat Almaty. The midfielder lashed home two unstoppable efforts as the Portuguese champions kick-started their continental campaign with a win.

Forward: Marcus Rashford – Barcelona

Marcus Rashford lit the touch paper for his career at Barcelona after marking his return to England with a match-winning display. Rashford looked dangerous from the start against Newcastle, with his direct football and shoot-on-sight style causing problems.

He netted his first Barcelona goal with a fine header before blasting home an even better second. Handed his chance in the absence of Lamine Yamal, he’s pushing for a starting role now. How can Hansi Flick leave him out after that?

Forward: Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus

Juventus might have tried to usher Dusan Vlahovic out the door this summer, but the Serbian striker is stating his case for a big role in Igor Tudor’s plans.

Having scored twice off the bench in Serie A already this season, Vlahovic added to his super-sub reputation against Dortmund. Introduced with Juventus trailing, he scored twice and created the equaliser as the Italians fought back to claim an eventual draw in a topsy-turvy game.

Forward: Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

No player has scored more Champions League goals than Harry Kane since the forward’s move to Munich in 2023.

Kane has now scored 21 goals in 26 European games for Bayern, after his brace helped see off Chelsea at the Allianz Arena. The England captain has started the season on fire, with 10 for the season in all competitions already.

Read – Champions League Awards: Juve’s super sub and Rashford’s redemption

See more – The fastest players to 50 Champions League goals as Haaland destroys record

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