During the last couple of weeks, we witnessed eight fascinating matches within the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16. Favorites Actual Madrid, Manchester Metropolis, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) emerged victorious of their respective fixtures, whereas Bayern Munich and Arsenal fell to shock 1-0 defeats away from residence. 5-time UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona additionally didn’t reside as much as expectations and performed out a 1-1 draw with Napoli.
We had the nice fortune of having fun with fairly a number of memorable performances during the last 4 Matchdays, however this checklist solely has area for the highest 5. Proceed studying to satisfy the 5 standout performers from the primary leg of the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16.
#5 Nicolo Barella – Inter Milan
Inter Milan secured a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid within the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 conflict on Tuesday evening (February 20). Though Marko Arnautovic popped up with the successful strike in opposition to Atletico, Nicolo Barella was simply the sport’s standout performer.
The Italian struck the proper stability between attacking and defending. He created possibilities together with his completely weighted via balls, made himself obtainable to obtain the ball, and put in vital tackles to interrupt the move of opposition attackers. Towards Los Rojiblancos, Barella created a game-high 4 possibilities and accomplished three tackles. He additionally performed 10 passes into the ultimate third, delivered two correct crosses, and received seven duels.
#4 Pedri – Barcelona
Napoli ace Victor Osimhen struck within the seventy fifth minute to cancel out Robert Lewandowski’s opener for Barcelona, holding the guests to a 1-1 draw within the Spherical of 16 first leg on Wednesday evening (February 21). The Blaugrana must be disillusioned with the end result, as they have been totally the higher staff and deserved to return to Catalonia with most factors. Pedri, particularly, should really feel arduous accomplished by the end result, as he left his all on the Neapolitan pitch.
Within the sixtieth minute, Pedri engineered a little bit of area outdoors the Napoli field and located Lewandowski with a slick cross. The Polish striker utilized a low end to search out the underside nook. The help apart, Pedri created two possibilities, accomplished 36 passes (84% accuracy), made 9 recoveries, and received 5 floor duels.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester Metropolis
Arguably one of the best midfielder on this planet, Manchester Metropolis maestro Kevin De Bruyne scored a aim and claimed two assists within the 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen within the Champions League Spherical of 16 first leg on February 13.
Within the tenth minute, De Bruyne latched on to a reverse cross from Phil Foden, ghosted previous Copenhagen resistance, and slotted the ball into the far nook. Simply earlier than halftime, De Bruyne turned supplier, albeit unintentionally. The Belgian uncharacteristically managed the ball with a heavy foot, but it surely took a deflection off Magnus Mattsson and fell kindly to Bernardo Silva, who utilized an outside-the-boot end to search out the netting.
Lastly, within the 92nd minute, De Bruyne dashed to the by-line and reduce the ball again for Foden, who made no mistake in thumping the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 3-1 for Metropolis.
In whole, De Bruyne accomplished 50 passes in opposition to Copenhagen (88% accuracy), created two possibilities, performed six passes into the opposition field, and received 5 duels.
#2 Phil Foden – Manchester Metropolis
Like his teammate Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden was in splendid kind within the 3-1 win over Copenhagen within the Champions League Spherical of 16. He arrange De Bruyne with a intelligent reverse cross within the tenth minute, and the Belgian took care of the remaining. Then within the second minute of harm time (90+2′), Foden gave Metropolis a two-goal cushion, doing justice to De Bruyne’s sensible cutback from the by-line.
Foden, who has scored 15 targets and supplied 10 assists in 38 video games this season, additionally created a few possibilities, accomplished 68 passes (92% accuracy), and received six duels.
#1 Andriy Lunin – Actual Madrid
Within the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League ultimate, Actual Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a file 9 saves in opposition to Liverpool to offer his staff a 1-0 victory. On February 13, Courtois’ understudy Andriy Lunin additionally made 9 saves in opposition to RB Leipzig within the Champions League Spherical of 16 first leg at hand Los Blancos a slender 1-0 victory. Based on experiences, Madrid are so impressed with Lunin’s work in Courtois’ absence that they’re considering handing him a contract extension.
The Ukrainian exuded poise with the ball at his toes, taking part in 21 correct passes (84% accuracy) and delivering seven correct lengthy balls. Lunin additionally made three excessive claims, had 49 touches, and recorded 10 recoveries.
