Three Manchester City players have been included in Sofascore’s best XI of the Champions League quarter-finals, despite Pep Guardiola's men being eliminated on penalties by Real Madrid.
In a pulsating tie, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva agonisingly missed their spot-kicks to put Real Madrid through to the semi-finals for a fourth consecutive season with a 4-3 victory on penalties.
Arsenal were knocked out in Germany in Wednesday night’s other tie, as a Joshua Kimmich bullet header secured Bayern Munich a 3-2 aggregate victory over the Gunners.
A thrilling game in Germany saw Borussia Dortmund send Atletico Madrid out on Tuesday evening and two goals from Kylian Mbappe fired PSG through with a 6-4 aggregate win over Barcelona.
But who made Sofascore’s best XI of the round? Mail Sport takes a look.
Real Madrid booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals by beating Man City
Martin Odegaard's Arsenal were also knocked out by Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening
BEST XI
Goalkeeper
Andriy Lunin – 7.85
Real Madrid’s hero in goal last night, Andriy Lunin earned a rating of 9.7 at the Etihad after stopping two penalties to send his side through to the semi-final.
The Ukrainian made an early error in the first leg as he let a Bernardo Silva free-kick squirm through his grasp, but he atoned for that by making 11 saves over the course of the tie which proved crucial to Madrid’s victory.
Defenders
Joshua Kimmich – 7.55
Kimmich’s header after a darting run into the box was enough to send Bayern Munich through as they beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Allianz Arena and 3-2 on aggregate.
The German’s first Champions League goal of the season was a pivotal one and earned him a Sofascore rating of 7.55.
Joshua Kimmich scored the decisive goal on Wednesday to put Bayern Munich through
Manuel Akanji – 7.20
The first of three Manchester City players included in the best XI of the round despite their exit, Manuel Akanji looked comfortable at the back for City through large portions of both legs.
At the Bernabau, the Swiss international was deployed at right-back by Pep Guardiola, away from his favoured role at centre-back, before playing at the heart of City’s defence in the return leg. He was tasked with fulfilling John Stones’ role of carrying the ball into midfield at the Etihad and did so impressively.
Akanji dealt with the dangerous Brazilian duo of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo as well as can be expected.
Nico Schlotterbeck – 7.00
The 24-year-old centre back has started all but one of Borussia Dortmund’s fixtures this season and his performances in both legs against Atletico Madrid showed why he is such a vital part of Edin Terzic’s defence.
Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels' partnership at centre back for Dortmund was integral in their rip-roaring comeback against Diego Simeone’s men.
Josko Gvardiol – 7.75
City’s £78million man has settled into life in Manchester seamlessly and played every minute of the two legs against Real Madrid.
The Croatian netted his first Champions League goal for City at the Bernabau with a fabulous long-range effort with his weaker foot which flew past Lunin in the Madrid goal and into the bottom corner.
Josko Gvardiol played every minute of both legs and scored at the Bernabeu
Midfielders
Rodri – 7.70
Rodri looked unfazed by the pressure of a Champions League quarter-final against a European giant and dictated play in midfield with as much ease as ever.
After City were knocked out last night, the Spanish midfielder said he 'only saw one team' during the second leg despite his side’s defeat.
City enjoyed over 60 per cent possession in both legs and Rodri played a huge part in that.
Vitinha – 8.20
The PSG box-to-box midfielder netted goals in both legs against Barcelona, including a long-range driven effort in the second-leg to give his side the lead early in the second half.
Vitinha is Sofascore’s highest rated player of the round, earning a score of 8.20 after two stellar performances.
If PSG are to go one further than they did in 2020 and win the Champions League, the 24-year-old will certainly have a part to play against Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final.
Vitinha scored in both legs as PSG came from behind to knock out Barcelona
Julian Brandt – 7.70
The Dortmund attacking midfielder is having an impressive Bundesliga season, providing 11 assists so far this term, and converted that form into Dortmund’s quarter-final clash with Atletico Madrid.
Brandt netted the opener in the second-leg with a left-footed shot which crept past Jan Oblak in the Atletico net.
He and his Dortmund teammates have reached the club’s first Champions League semi-final since 2013.
Forwards
Raphinha – 7.15
The former Leeds United man was on fine form during Barcelona’s tie with PSG and bagged three goals in the two fixtures, including on exquisite volley in the first leg.
Much to his and his manager’s dismay, Raphinha had a chance to equalise for Barca late on in the second-leg with his favoured left foot after some neat footwork in the box but dragged his effort wide.
Raphinha scored three goals across two legs but it still wasn't enough to get Barcelona past PSG
Ousmane Dembélé – 7.85
The PSG winger came back to haunt his old club during the tie and was pictured smirking after being substituted in the second leg amid boos from the home support in Spain.
Just like his Barcelona replacement, Raphinha, Dembele bagged goals in both legs of the tie, including a half-volley on his weak foot in the second-leg to draw his side level on the night.
Antoine Griezmann – 7.90
The French veteran striker provided Atletico with a creative spark throughout the tie despite not getting himself on the scoresheet.
Griezmann finishes his Champions League campaign with six goals to his name.
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