Star man Messi leads Champions League team of the week
PSG star Lionel Messi is the Champions League player of the week on the back of his man of the match display at Maccabi Haifa. Club Bruges, though, are the dominant side in this XI after their headline-grabbing 4-0 win at Porto. Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Inter are also represented in the side.
Allan McGregor (Rangers) - 7.80
Rangers may have fallen to a 3-0 defeat to Napoli on Wednesday, yet it would have been far worse were it not for Allan McGregor. The experienced Scot made a total of seven saves at Ibrox, which included a second half Piotr Zielinski penalty stop, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.80.
Denzel Dumfries (Inter) - 7.98
Inter responded to their 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich with a 2-0 win at Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday evening, with Denzel Dumfries impressing from right wing-back. The Dutchman scored Inter's second to wrap up the victory in the Czech Republic, netting with one of two shots. He got forward well as he completed two dribbles to yield a WhoScored rating of 7.98.
The first of two Liverpool players to make the XI, the Reds' match winner against Ajax features at the heart of the defence. Joel Matip netted with a minute of normal time to go at Anfield, while off the ball; he was imperious. Matip won seven aerial duels, and made three tackles, two clearances and one interception as he earned a WhoScored rating of 8.03.
Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich) - 8.06
Another goalscoring centre-back joins Matip at the heart of the defence. Lucas Hernandez scored Bayern Munich's opener in their entertaining 2-0 win over Barcelona on Tuesday night. The Frenchman netted with his only effort on goal, while a total of four interceptions and two tackles saw Hernandez secure a WhoScored rating of 8.06.
Kostas Tsimikas (Liverpool) - 7.91
The second Liverpool player in the side, Kostas Tsimikas provided the assist for Joel Matip's winner against Ajax on Tuesday. That came from one of an impressive five key passes on home turf, while the Greek full-back was solid off the ball, too, as he made two tackles and one interception to round off the defence with a WhoScored rating of 7.91.
Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Bruges) - 8.17
Club Bruges are the dominant side in the Champions League team of the week, and deservedly so following their commendable 4-0 win at Porto. Andreas Skov Olsen scored the Belgian side's third in Portugal on Tuesday night, netting with one of two shots. The Dane also completed two dribbles and made one key pass to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 8.17.
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) - 8.27
Bayern Munich's second representative in the Champions League best XI, Joshua Kimmich provided the assist for Lucas Hernandez's opener against Barcelona, that coming from his only key pass in the 2-0 win. Kimmich didn't give the Blaugrana a chance to settle in midfield as he made five interceptions and four tackles to return a WhoScored rating of 8.27.
With a WhoScored rating of 8.03, Benfica's Rafa partners Kimmich in the middle of the park. The 29-year-old may have failed to get on the scoresheet in Benfica's 2-1 win at Juventus, but it wasn't for want of trying as he struck the woodwork with one of three shots. In addition, Rafa also made four key passes and completed three dribbles to cap a solid showing.
Kamal Sowah (Club Bruges) - 8.36
Another impressive performer in Club Bruges' 4-0 win at Porto, Kamal Sowah scored his first goal of the season in Portugal, scoring shortly after the restart at the Estadio do Dragao. The 22-year-old struck with one of four shots, and made three tackles, two successful dribbles and one key pass to nail down the left wing spot with a WhoScored rating of 8.36.
With a WhoScored rating of 8.72, Lionel Messi is the Champions League player of the week. Messi was directly involved in two of PSG's three goals in their 3-1 win at Maccabi Haifa, following up his goal shortly before the break with the assist for Kylian Mbappe with 20 minutes to play. Those came from respective returns of seven shots and two key passes, as the Argentine shone.
Ferran Jutgla (Club Bruges) - 8.63
Joining Messi on the frontline is the man of the match from Club Bruges' 4-0 win at Porto. Ferran Jutgla was excellent in the victory as he directly contributed to two of their four goals. Jutgla opened the scoring from the spot in the first half, and then turned provider for Kamal Sowah two minutes into the second half to partner Messi in attack with a WhoScored rating of 8.63.
