A best XI of this week’s Champions League performers.With the first round of this season’s Champions League group stage games just gone, CaughtOffside picks a team of the week based on the stand-out performers from these games…with few to pick from from Premier League sides!
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GK: Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Despite being beaten late on, Joe Hart put in a superb display in goal for Manchester City in their difficult game away to Bayern Munich. The England shot-stopper has not been at his best of late, but showed his tremendous potential here with a string of fine saves to keep Pep Guardiola’s side at bay until the dying stages.
DR: Maicon (AS Roma)
A player in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, but Maicon earns some recognition for his on-pitch displays here with a commanding performance for AS Roma at right-back, capping his night with a well-taken goal against CSKA Moscow in a thumping 5-1 win.
DL: Alex Sandro (Porto)
An exciting young left-back who showed some great form for Porto as they roared to a superb 6-0 victory over BATE this week, showing great form at the back and going forward to contribute to his team’s attacking performance.
DC: Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Looking almost back to his best, Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique struck an unlikely winner in a tight victory for the Catalan giants over APOEL Nicosia. The Spaniard scored with a superb header from Lionel Messi’s free-kick, and helped his side to a clean sheet and an important three points.
DC: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich)
A strong display at the back capped with a well-taken winning goal, Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng makes it into the team of the week after getting one over his old club Manchester City at the Allianz Arena.
DM: Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich)
Another Bayern Munich player who showed his worth, Xabi Alonso got off to a fine start in the Champions League with his new club, putting in an assured display for the Bavarian giants in what will prove to be one of their hardest games of the group stage.
DM: Sergi Samper (Barcelona)
Handed a start and a chance to impress by manager Luis Enrique, Barcelona’s young midfielder Sergi Samper was one of the finest players on show at the Nou Camp this week as he helped his side to a 1-0 win over APOEL Nicosia. The 19-year-old has been hailed by some as the next Cesc Fabregas, and he will surely keep his place in the side if he continues to play like this.
AMR: Gervinho (AS Roma)
Another player who starred for AS Roma as they romped to a 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow, former Arsenal star Gervinho continued to impress for the Italian giants with two goals and an assist in this match. Gunners fans must be wondering where this fine form has come from after his highly ineffective two years at the Emirates Stadium…
AML: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
With an excellent goal and an assist, Real Madrid star Gareth Bale put in a superb display for the Champions League holders as they strolled to an easy opening day win over Swiss outfit FC Basel, with the Welshman contributing greatly to the one-sided 5-1 scoreline at the Bernabeu.
AMC: Yacine Brahimi (Porto)
With a hat-trick from midfield, Porto star Yacine Brahimi was truly one of the players to steal the show in the Champions League this week with this memorable performance. The 24-year-old looks a terrific summer signing from Granada, and was unsurprisingly voted Man of the Match for his three-goal display.
FC: Carlos Tevez (Juventus)
With a fine free-kick in this two-goal display, Juventus striker Carlos Tevez looks ready to make his mark on this competition and hit top form again. The former Manchester City man was at his brilliant best against Swedish side Malmo, and the Italian giants will be relying hreavily on the Argentine to hit top form if they are to make their mark on this competition this season.