Champions League Team of the Week — Group Stage (Week 2)
Could these players help get their team to the group stages?
GK: Antonio Adán (8.1)
Sporting’s upset over Spurs was in large part due to Antonio Adán 5 saves, as well as his steady distribution from the Portuguese third of the pitch. All of the keeper’s saves were within the box, emphasizing his clinical nature when the stakes were at their highest.
CB: Lucas Hernandez (7.9)
Lucas Hernandez normally controls the tempo through his short-range passing from the back-line, but the French center-back opted for more expansive dispensation with his 8 attempted long-balls. Add a goal to his dependable general stature, and Hernandez had himself a day.
CB: Dayot Upamecano (7.9)
Joining in coalition with his Bavarian partner in Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano’s 63 touches against Barcelona marked his lowest on-ball impact of the 2022–2023 season, where he played the full 90 minutes. This simply accentuates his hasty decision-making abilities, alongside his 85% passing completion rate. Hernandez and Upamecano were an absolute French wall for the German side, as the latter contributed 6 clearances and 5 interceptions to ensure a clean sheet against their Spanish opposition.
LB: João Cancelo (7.9)
Joāo Cancelo was heavily involved this week versus Dortmund with his abundant amount of possession, as illustrated by his 133 touches. The Portuguese wing-back rarely committed errors in his progression along the flank, completing 89% of his 107 pass attempts, of which 5 were long-balls. Cancelo was sturdy in handling the ball, winning 5 of his 8 total duels, and his composure culminated in an assist to Norwegian wunderkind, Erling Haaland.
RB: Denzel Dumfries (8)
Denzel Dumfries hit a season-high, by far, of 72 touches against Viktoria Plzen. In addition to his offensive production that consisted of a goal, plus 2 completed dribbles, the Dutch wing-back also orchestrated 2 shot-creating actions. All of Dumfries’ defensive pressure occurred in the attacking-third of the field, truly emphasizing the impact of his defense turned offense.
CM: Robert Andrich (8)
Bayer Leverkusen utilized Robert Andrich in a box-to-box role this past week versus Atletico Madrid, and it turned out wonderfully. In the attack, Andrich managed 3 progressive passes, as well as 3 passes that entered the final third of the pitch, in addition to his singular goal. Subsequently, Andrich found himself dropping back immediately after heavy pushes towards the goal, as supported by 13 of his 15 pressures happening in the defensive third of the field.
CM: Marcelo Brozović (7.9)
Marcelo Brozović’s performance was uber-efficient. 81 of 86 passes completed, 6 of 9 duels won, 10 progressive passes, all in around 100 touches. Even though the Croatian midfielder did not pick up any goal contributions, his 5 shot-creating actions surely broadened Inter’s attack against an incomparable Viktoria Plzen side.
CAM: Lionel Messi (9)
I’m sure it is tiresome to see the Argentine maestro once again find a place on one of these lists, so I’ll keep it brief. Lionel Messi produced a goal and an assist, alongside a 91% completion rate. The GOAT (even if it was against a Maccabi Haifa squad that pales in comparison).
LS: Edin Džeko (8.1)
Inter Milan’s dual goals within the defeat of Viktoria Plzen were both directly attributed to Edin Džeko. The veteran striker scored and assisted once each, en route to a characteristically collected performance that all but guaranteed their victory.
RS: Paulinho (8.4)
Paulinho was the epitome of a super-sub. 15 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist; Sporting beats Tottenham 2–0.
ST: Ferran Jutglà (8.3)
Club Brugge are currently poised to advance to the knockout stages, thanks to the contributions of Ferran Jutglà in his efficient display of attacking prowess versus FC Porto. Creating 4 shots through various actions, Jutglà cashed in on two of them, with a goal and an assist. The Spanish forward was also able to swerve off defenders at will, as a result of his 4 of 5 completed dribbles.
