Two Atletico Madrid players, two from Newcastle, and two from Paris Saint-Germain: that’s how the Top XI for the play-offs to reach the round of 16 is made up.
Goalkeeper
Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) 7.8
Five crucial saves (plus seven in the first leg), but above all the assist for Alexander Sorloth’s opener, make Oblak the best goalkeeper of these play-offs.
Defenders
Federico Dimarco (Inter) 8.3
Now a regular in Serie A’s Top 11, where he stands out for his assists, he also makes the play-off XI despite only playing the 90 minutes at San Siro, where his teammates constantly looked for him.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) 8.0
An assist in the first leg and another in the return, the English full-back’s contribution to the Magpies’ attacking play is clear, and he even wanted to take one of the two penalties Anthony Gordon converted in Baku.
Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid) 7.9
The former Juventus defender played a key role in securing a place in the last 16: he only featured in the first leg, but helped the Blancos keep a clean sheet with an excellent display alongside Rudiger.
Midfielders
Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco) 7.9
Probably Monaco’s standout player in the all-French tie against PSG: he set up a goal for a teammate in the first leg and scored in the return, keeping qualification hopes alive on his birthday.
Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray) 7.9
The Brazilian scored his first Champions League goal, was unstoppable in the first leg and delivered an outstanding performance, capped off with an assist and rated 9.2.
Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid) 8.0
The American midfielder also netted his first Champions League goal, scoring from the edge of the box in Madrid – in just his second ever UCL start.
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge) 8.1
The former Midtjylland man has grown along with Club Brugge, who were knocked out after their collapse at the Metropolitano but still had a very positive campaign: the Nigerian got on the scoresheet in the 3-3 draw in the first leg.
Forwards
Desire Doue (PSG) 8.9
To think he started the first leg on the bench, only coming on after Dembélé’s injury changed the tie: both in Monaco and Paris he was outstanding, leading his team with 2 goals and 2 assists.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) 8.7
Only 18 players have scored 4 goals in a single Champions League match, and the English striker is now among them, ruthless in the first leg (helped by two penalties).
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG) 7.9
Even with Doue’s performance, the Georgian was not to be outdone: he impressed in both legs, perhaps less flashy but highly effective.
