Atletico super-sub Llorente and star goalkeeper Oblak in Champions League best XI

 

Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI from the midweek Champions League action, as RB Leipzig, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Atalanta all advanced at the expense of Tottenham, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Valencia, respectively.

 

Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) - 8.73 rating

 

Liverpool had more shots on target (11) than Atletico Madrid managed attempts (10) at Anfield on Wednesday night but came up against a resilient Jan Oblak. The Reds did manage to score twice, but Jan Oblak was more than equal to what Liverpool threw at him. The Atletico goalkeeper made nine saves, won two aerial duels and successfully claimed two crosses.

 

Right-back: Thilo Kehrer (Paris Saint-Germain) - 7.27 rating

 

Drafted in as a replacement for the suspended Thomas Meunier, Thilo Kehrer certainly faired better against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night compared to his performance against Manchester United at this stage of last season. In fact, Wednesday's 2-0 win over Dortmund was Kehrer's first start in the Champions League since the defeat to United last season. The 23-year-old completed Kehrer helped PSG keep a clean sheet with four tackles and interceptions combined and made three clearances to help PSG keep a clean sheet.

 

Centre-back: Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig) - 8.10 rating

 

Dayot Upamecano showed exactly why RB Leipzig will struggle to keep hold of him this summer with a thoroughly composed display in their 3-0 win over Tottenham on Tuesday night. After missing the first leg through suspension, the 21-year-old bossed it at the back for Leipzig with seven tackles and interceptions combined and five clearances. He also helped alleviate pressure at the back with three dribbles completed.

 

Centre-back: Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 7.72 rating

 

It was Presnel Kimpembe who conceded the penalty at this stage of the Champions League last season that saw PSG eliminated by Manchester United but the 24-year-old turned in a near perfect display this time around to help the Ligue 1 giants into the last-16. Kimpembe completed seven clearances against Dortmund, having only managed nine in his previous six Champions League appearances combined this season. He also made four tackles and interceptions combined on Wednesday night.

 

Left-back: Juan Bernat (Paris Saint-Germain) - 8.21 rating

 

Juan Bernat vindicated his selection over Layvin Kurzawa at left-back against Borussia Dortmund with a WhoScored Man of the Match display for PSG. Bernat put PSG 2-0 up and through to the last-16 for the first time since 2015/16. Bernat has scored four goals for Paris Saint-Germain in his career, with those strikes notably coming against Dortmund, Manchester United, Liverpool and Napoli.

 

Right wing: Ferran Torres (Valencia) - 8.28 rating

 

Ferran Torres is one of few Valencia players that can be proud of their contribution in midweek. The 20-year-old did his best to overturn the tie for Valencia in their clash with Atalanta with a goal and an assist in a 4-3 defeat on Tuesday night. Against the Serie A outfit, Torres had three shots, registered two key passes and won three aerial duels.

 

Central midfield: Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) - 8.97 rating

 

Georginio Wijnaldum looked to have inspired Liverpool through to the next round before a moment of madness from back-up goalkeeper Adrian undid all of their good work on Wednesday night. Wijnaldum finally got the better of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak with a brilliant header to put Liverpool level in the tie before half time. Four of the five goals Wijnaldum has scored in the Champions League this season have been headers. Against Atletico, Wijnaldum won five aerial duels in total having only won six in his previous seven appearances combined in the competition this season.

 

Atletico super-sub Llorente and star goalkeeper Oblak in Champions League best XI


Central midfield: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) - 8.92 rating

 

Few before the tie at Anfield would have pinpointed Marcos Llorente as a threat and perhaps even fewer when he subbed on for Diego Costa before the hour mark on Wednesday night. Presumably brought on to help Atletico to extra-time with the tie level on aggregate, Llorente instead popped up with two goals and an assist in a dramatic final hour that saw Atletico eliminate holders Liverpool. Both of his goals from from outside of the box, benefitting from two questionable pieces of goalkeeping.

 

Left wing: Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid) - 7.82 rating

 

As Atletico Madrid were limited to just 29% possession at Anfield, Saul Niguez didn't offer much as an attacking outlet on the left wing but he did put in a real shift defensively. The 25-year-old remarkably won 10 aerial duels, while also weighing in with six interceptions and seven clearances.

 

Striker: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) - 7.98 rating

 

Roberto Firmino finally ended his wait for his first goal at Anfield in all competitions in midweek but it wasn't enough, as Liverpool crashed out to Atletico in extra-time. Firmino was quickest to pounce on his initial effort that came back off the woodwork to put Liverpool ahead on the tie in first half extra-time. Firmino had five attempts on goal in total and also completed two dribbles.

 

Striker: Josip Ilicic (Atlanta) - 10.0 rating

 

Saving the best until last, Josip Ilicic is the WhoScored player of the week from the midweek Champions League action after scoring all four of Atalanta's goals in their 4-3 second leg victory over Valencia. Ilicic now has five perfect 10 ratings in his last 10 appearances for Atalanta in all competition and has taken his tally in Europe and Serie A to 20 for the season.

Atletico super-sub Llorente and star goalkeeper Oblak in Champions League best XI