Champions League Team of the Week – Valverde, Olise, Alvarez | OneFootball

Our Champions League Team of the Week is locked in after a thrilling week of last-16 action.

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid

An outrageous piece of distribution assisted Federico Valverde’s opener against Manchester City, before the big Belgian made a stunning stop from Nico O’Reilly to preserve Real Madrid’s commanding lead. Courtois often comes alive in the latter stages of this competition.

Centre-back: Odin Luras Bjortuft – Bodo/Glimt

What a win. What a story.

Bodo/Glimt have one foot in the quarter-finals after thrashing Sporting Lisbon 3-0 in Norway this week. Bjortuft was brilliant in the Bodo backline, with five clearances and 100% of his defensive duels won (3/3).

Centre-back: Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid

Antonio Rudiger relishes coming up against Erling Haaland and again came out on top in their box-office duel. The German won all of his defensive duels (4/4) at the Bernabeu and made a vital goal-saving block.

Centre-back: Abdulkerim Bardakci – Galatasaray

Galatasaray will travel to Anfield with a narrow lead after beating Liverpool for the second time this season. Abdulkerim Bardakci led the Turkish team to a clean sheet, largely keeping a lid on the threat of Hugo Ekitike.

Right-midfield: Fede Valverde – Real Madrid

A world-class performance from the stand-in skipper who scored his first career hat-trick against Manchester City.

There were many who suggested Real Madrid were underdogs in this tie, but the Champions League kings dismantled their visitors at the Bernabeu.

Valverde’s bursts in behind gave City problems all night, as the midfielder helped himself to a first-half hat-trick of the highest order. A top, top display.

Midfield: Sondre Fret – Bodo/Glimt

Confidently sent Rui Silva the wrong way from the spot for his fourth goal of the Champions League campaign. The midfielder has been an unsung hero for the Norwegian dark horses, who secured a sixth straight Champions League win against Sporting.

Midfield: Exequiel Palacios – Bayer Leverkusen

Looked back to his best after injuries this season. Palacios was tenacious off the ball and composed with it, leading Leverkusen against Arsenal. The Argentine ran himself into the ground before his late substitution.

Left-midfield: Jens Petter Hauge – Bodo/Glimt

It has been some season for Jens Petter Hauge in the Champions League this season. The star of Bodo/Glimt’s fairytale run added another assist to his tally against Sporting, to make it eight goal involvements (6G/2A) in 10 European starts. Clubs across Europe will be setting their sights on the winger this summer.

Forward: Michael Olise – Bayern Munich

Can Michael Olise win the Ballon d’Or?

The Frenchman’s numbers are truly remarkable. He scored two stunners at Atalanta, created another, and produced a catalogue of wow moments that have become his trademark.

Forward: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint-Germain

You know that you’ve got a squad stacked with talent when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia can be called upon from the bench.

The Georgian undertook the role of super sub against Chelsea, scoring twice to put the game – and perhaps the tie – beyond the Blues.

Forward: Julian Alvarez – Atletico Madrid

Involved in three of Atletico’s five goals against Tottenham, Alvarez took full advantage of some slapstick defending to punish the North Londoners.

After assisting Marcos Llorente’s opener, he could not believe his luck after Antonin Kinsky’s mistake gave him an open goal for the third. Sealed the win with the fifth after a blistering counter-attack.

Read – Champions League Awards: Fantastic Fede, Kinsky calamities

See more – Noughties Nines: Didier Drogba – Cup final King

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