Champions League Team of the Semi-finals: Messi shines despite Barcelona exit
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool) - 7.13 rating
There was another miracle at Anfield as Liverpool overturned a 3-0 first leg defeat to progress to the Champions League with a 4-0 win on Merseyside, with Alisson key. The Brazilian earned a WhoScored rating of 7.13 across both legs as he made more saves (7) than any other the four goalkeepers on show to feature between the sticks.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 7.98 rating
The second of three Liverpool players to feature in this side, it was Trent Alexander-Arnold’s clever corner that saw Divock Origi score his second and Liverpool’s fourth on Tuesday night, with the right-back having now registered eight assists from his last eight Liverpool appearances. Four interceptions and two key passes saw the right-back return a WhoScored rating of 7.98 and up against Tottenham in the final, Liverpool are the favourites to lift the trophy with the most trendy UK betting sites.
Centre-back: Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax) - 7.68 rating
Ajax were pegged from 3-0 up on aggregate to crash out on away goals as a second half Lucas Moura hat-trick saw the Dutch side crash out of the competition. However, teenage defender Matthijs de Ligt was impressive across both legs, netting once for the Eredivisie leaders. 13 aerial duels won, 10 clearances and six interceptions helped De Ligt return a WhoScored rating of 7.68.
Centre-back: Daley Blind (Ajax) - 7.31 rating
Partnering De Ligt in this XI is fellow Ajax centre-back Daley Blind. The experienced defender made more interceptions (7) than any other player in the semi-finals to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.31. It wasn’t to be for Blind and Ajax, though, as Spurs progressed at their expense.
Left-back: Danny Rose (Tottenham) - 6.68 rating
The first of three Tottenham players to feature in this XI, Danny Rose may not have been a standout star across the two legs, landing a WhoScored rating of 6.68, but he was effective in what he needed to do in both London and Amsterdam. The left-back made four tackles across the two legs and got forward well, too, completing three dribbles and making two key passes.
Right midfield: Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) - 8.16 rating
Hakim Ziyech proved just why a number of top teams are chasing his signature with two fine showings against Tottenham. It was his assist for Donny van de Beek’s goal in Ajax’s 1-0 first leg that attracted watchful glances once more before he netted in the second leg with a fine sweeping effort. All in all, the Moroccan made six key passes and four successful dribbles as he landed a WhoScored rating of 8.16.
Central midfield: Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) - 7.39 rating
In what proved to be an inspired half time introduction at Anfield, Georginio Wijnaldum was vital in the turnaround on Tuesday as the Dutchman bagged a second half brace to draw Liverpool level before Origi’s winner. His brace come from two shots over the two legs, while two key passes, two dribbles and one tackle returned a WhoScored rating of 7.39.
Central midfield: Donny van de Beek (Ajax) - 7.82 rating
Donny van de Beek notched his third Champions League goal of the season in the first leg 1-0 win over Tottenham, a victory he was named man of the match in, and he gained an average WhoScored rating of 7.82 over the two legs. Across both matches, the Dutchman made a combined 12 tackles and interceptions, four key passes and four successful dribbles and while he exited the competition at the semi-final stage, he was impressive over the two meetings with Tottenham.
Left midfield: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham) - 7.90 rating
Rounding off the midfield, the chances may not have fallen for Son Heung-Min on Wednesday night, but he worked hard to force himself into dangerous positions as he completed more dribbles (8) than any other player in the second leg matches. One additional interception saw Son return a WhoScored rating of 7.90.
Striker: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 8.60 rating
Lionel Messi turned out a perfect 10 performance in Barcelona’s first leg win over Liverpool and while he couldn’t fire the Blaugrana to the final, the Argentine returned an average WhoScored rating of 8.60 from the two games and is our player of the semi-finals. Two goals from nine shots, 13 successful dribbles and four key passes once more highlighted Messi’s attacking power to land the individual award.
Striker: Lucas Moura (Tottenham) - 8.28 rating
As Messi put in a perfect 10 showing in the first leg, Lucas Moura followed that up with one of his own in the second leg. The Brazilian bagged a second half hat-trick in Amsterdam, with his three goals more than any other player in the semi-finals. Over the two legs, Moura won eight aerial duels, completed six dribbles and made three key passes to return an average WhoScored rating of 8.28. It was his equaliser in Barcelona that saw Spurs progress to the knockout stage at the end of 2018, with the Brazilian their clutch player in the competition.
