Champions League: Team of the Week
Germany 8-1 Spain. Wow. The German giants dominated this week’s Champions League games and so this selection of the best players from the two games looks very Germanic.
Team of the Week: Borussia Dortmund: Bayern were the model of efficient dominance but although the margin of victory was unexpected, most would have favoured them. However, the show that Dortmund put on last night left Europe breathless, stunned and excited. Sure, they beat Real 2-1 in the group phase but this is a Mourinho team, he doesn’t get worse on each viewing right? They didn’t just beat Madrid, they flayed them. Stunning. This team will wear their colours.
Roman Weidenfeller – Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller has been at the club for eleven years, having seen the club at its very lowest point - on the verge of financial meltdown in 2005 – through the re-birth, domestic success and now the club showing its colours in Europe. He was excellent when called upon with two critical saves from Ronaldo, including a dash from the line in the last minute to stop a goal which would have completely changed the momentum of the tie.
Lukasz Piszczek – Borussia Dortmund: Over the last few years, Piszczek has show himself to be one of the top right backs in Europe, but last night was his crowning glory. Ronaldo was anonymous in open play, completely shut down by the Pole who was in his illustrious opponent’s face the instant that he got the ball, making him a non-threat. He only scored after an error on the other side of the pitch gave Piszczek no chance to recover. There have never been doubts about his offensive work but last night confirmed that he is the complete package.
Nevan Subotic – Borussia Dortmund: Whilst his more revered partner, Mats Hummels, had a horror show, Subotic quietly went about his business with no fuss and no error. Subotic has absolutely rock solid and neutralised Higuain entirely. He also helped to shut out Ronaldo, who only had any open play joy when roaming more centrally.
Jerome Boateng – Bayern Munich: Boateng was drafted in to partner the excellent Dante, but was anything but the weak link he was suspected of being. In fact, he was superb, the best performance I have ever seen from him. Messi got nothing out of him, despite hovering near him as Barcelona clearly felt they could get a mistake out of him. But he kept Messi quiet, so much so that the little Argentine had to move over to the right wing where he had less effect.
Phillip Lahm – Bayern Munich: Lahm is just the best, isn’t he? He’s in the top three right backs and left backs, which is testament to his ability. Barcelona made only one incision on his flank all game, and even then that had as much to do with an untracked Alba run on the part of the otherwise impressive Robben. Lahm was excellent in defence and offered an outlet in attack.
Ilkay Gundogan – Borussia Dortmund: If not for the performance of Lewandowski, Gundogan would be the Player of the Week without question, so he is unlucky not to win it for a second time. Gundogan was absolutely sublime both in attack and defence.
As can be seen by his influence chart, created using FourFourTwo’s Stats Zone app, he was dominant. He completed 88% of passes, completed all 3 times he took on opponents, including one jinking elegant run which nearly resulted in a spectacular goal and completed all 4 clean tackles. An amazingly complete showing.
It was the performance that showed him to be one of the best midfielders in the world right now and has surely gone to the top of many clubs’ wanted list.
Javi Martinez – Bayern Munich: This is why Bayern paid £35m for Martinez. Last season, the one dimensional Gustavo didn’t offer enough craft in deep and Kroos enough grit. Martinez has it all. A sumptous passer of flawless technique, he also has the physicality, tackling ability and intelligence. He won all 6 tackles and also made 2 interceptions. In other words, he broke up 8 Barcelona attacks on his own. A world class display which completely overshadowed his countrymen and made Busquets look distinctly average in contrast.
Thomas Muller – Bayern Munich: The man of perpetual space and freedom scored two more crucial goals and even got himself a pancake block on Alba for Robben’s touchdown. Muller looks inelegant with his bustling, shuffling style, socks rolled down and for a while, pants showing over his shorts. But what a player he is. If he had the creative talents of an Ozil or Gotze, he would be talked about in that type of company because he is always in space to make something happen. He put Barcelona to the sword.
Mario Gotze – Borussia Dortmund: You have to be quite a player to cost £32m at 19. Just ask Wayne Rooney. Now, to do that two days before a Champions League semi-final and to then look sensational, is just incredible. Gotze looked like a man possessed, wanting to show that he was worth all the fuss. Dortmund fans wouldn’t need any persuading of course, and probably watched him roasting Alonso and Khedira with a mix of joy and regret. He showed his touch and subtlety and was a prompting, probing presence all game.
Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund: Ok, so Dortmund are losing Gotze, but they have Reus, and many others. However, this will be Reus’ team next year and he is showing signs that he is ready for the responsibility. He was always open to receive the ball on the left which allowed him to attack Sergio Ramos or Rafael Varane who both looked uncomfortable on the right. He ran directly and incisively when in possession and also set the tone with relentless pressing and hounding of Madrid when they had the ball.
Robert Lewandowski – Borussia Dortmund: The Player of the Week after his historic four goals against Real, the first time they have conceded such a haul in their European history. Lewandowski’s goals will get the headlines but his overall play was fantastic. The Sky pundits were shouting over each other with effusive praise for him. His hold up play and aerial presence was impressive, his foot work and passing was classy and his pressing ceaseless. But it’s the four goals that rightly get him the attention. A hard battle for the first goal, a sublime turn and finish in one swift movement for the second, an awe inspiring control, spin and smashed shot for the third and a rocket penalty for the fourth. Breathtaking.
