• GK David De Gea (Manchester United) - Superb second-half save from Villarreal’s Manu Trigueros, one of three important interventions while the match was in the balance, set the base for United’s victory and their progress to the last 16. Getty
    GK David De Gea (Manchester United) - Superb second-half save from Villarreal’s Manu Trigueros, one of three important interventions while the match was in the balance, set the base for United’s victory and their progress to the last 16. Getty
  • RB Reece James (Chelsea) - Chelsea’s right-back is now their leading goalscorer this season, and James added his fifth, across competitions, with a rocket of an angled finish in the destruction of Juventus. Tamed the Italian team’s threat on his flank, too. AP
    RB Reece James (Chelsea) - Chelsea’s right-back is now their leading goalscorer this season, and James added his fifth, across competitions, with a rocket of an angled finish in the destruction of Juventus. Tamed the Italian team’s threat on his flank, too. AP
  • CB Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica) - Rolled back the years with an aggressive, authoritative display in wet, treacherous conditions against a youthful, zippy Barcelona. Defensively rugged but also prepared to lead his team’s counter-attacks. AFP
    CB Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica) - Rolled back the years with an aggressive, authoritative display in wet, treacherous conditions against a youthful, zippy Barcelona. Defensively rugged but also prepared to lead his team’s counter-attacks. AFP
  • CB Jose-Luis Palomino (Atalanta) - No centre-back looks back on a night where three goals were conceded fully satisfied, but Palomino was heroic at both ends of the see-saw 3-3 at Young Boys. He scored a spectacular volley from distance; he made a crucial late block to preserve Atalanta’s point. EPA
    CB Jose-Luis Palomino (Atalanta) - No centre-back looks back on a night where three goals were conceded fully satisfied, but Palomino was heroic at both ends of the see-saw 3-3 at Young Boys. He scored a spectacular volley from distance; he made a crucial late block to preserve Atalanta’s point. EPA
  • LB Theo Hernandez (AC Milan) - Combative, proactive and perhaps keen to show the club he grew up with, Atletico Madrid, what they let go, Theo galvanised Milan’s deserved 1-0 victory, a result that keeps them in with a marginal chance of staying in European competition after the new year. AFP
    LB Theo Hernandez (AC Milan) - Combative, proactive and perhaps keen to show the club he grew up with, Atletico Madrid, what they let go, Theo galvanised Milan’s deserved 1-0 victory, a result that keeps them in with a marginal chance of staying in European competition after the new year. AFP
  • RM Nico Gonzalez (Barcelona) - The 19-year-old is enjoying his promotion to senior football, even if it is with a brittle, goal-shy Barcelona. A multi-tasking midfielder with strength and a head-raised eye for the right pass, he drove much of the positive build-up play against Benfica. EPA
    RM Nico Gonzalez (Barcelona) - The 19-year-old is enjoying his promotion to senior football, even if it is with a brittle, goal-shy Barcelona. A multi-tasking midfielder with strength and a head-raised eye for the right pass, he drove much of the positive build-up play against Benfica. EPA
  • CM Rodri (Man City) - A masterly example of control in the most glamorous match of the round, City’s comeback win against Paris Saint-Germain. Tough in the centre of midfield, but also delivered a delightfully delicate pass over the heads of his opponents to set up the first City goal. AFP
    CM Rodri (Man City) - A masterly example of control in the most glamorous match of the round, City’s comeback win against Paris Saint-Germain. Tough in the centre of midfield, but also delivered a delightfully delicate pass over the heads of his opponents to set up the first City goal. AFP
  • LM Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) - “When Toni Kroos is on form, the manager is far more relaxed,” said Real Madrid coach Carlos Ancelotti after the Germany midfielder had pulled the strings through a potentially tricky night in Tiraspol. Thumped in the second goal of the 3-0 win at Sheriff. AFP
    LM Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) - “When Toni Kroos is on form, the manager is far more relaxed,” said Real Madrid coach Carlos Ancelotti after the Germany midfielder had pulled the strings through a potentially tricky night in Tiraspol. Thumped in the second goal of the 3-0 win at Sheriff. AFP
  • RW Pedro Goncalves (Sporting) - The hero of Sporting’s recovery from two defeats in their first two group matches to the club’s qualifying for a first knockout round place since 2009 is the livewire ‘Pote’ as he is nicknamed. His second, spectacular goal in the 3-1 win over Dortmund was his fourth in two games. EPA
    RW Pedro Goncalves (Sporting) - The hero of Sporting’s recovery from two defeats in their first two group matches to the club’s qualifying for a first knockout round place since 2009 is the livewire ‘Pote’ as he is nicknamed. His second, spectacular goal in the 3-1 win over Dortmund was his fourth in two games. EPA
  • CF Sebastien Haller (Ajax) - He only came on in the second half against Besiktas, but with Haller, in this, his first season of Champions League football, 45 minutes is plenty. His brace brought Ajax back from behind for a fifth win out of five. Haller has an astonishing nine goals in that time. EPA
    CF Sebastien Haller (Ajax) - He only came on in the second half against Besiktas, but with Haller, in this, his first season of Champions League football, 45 minutes is plenty. His brace brought Ajax back from behind for a fifth win out of five. Haller has an astonishing nine goals in that time. EPA
  • LW Bernardo Silva (Man City) - City had no Kevin de Bruyne, no Phil Foden and no Jack Grealish. No matter, when Bernardo Silva raises his game like he did against PSG, full of energy, guile and the poise to deliver, on the volley, the cushioned pass to set up the winning goal. AFP
    LW Bernardo Silva (Man City) - City had no Kevin de Bruyne, no Phil Foden and no Jack Grealish. No matter, when Bernardo Silva raises his game like he did against PSG, full of energy, guile and the poise to deliver, on the volley, the cushioned pass to set up the winning goal. AFP

Sport

Football

Messi and Neymar humbled, Manchester United bounce back: Champions League team of the week

Manchester City impress with fine win against PSG

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey

November 25, 2021

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The Champions League is the one trophy that has eluded Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but their victory over Paris Saint-Germain was another statement of intent for this year's competition.

Last season's beaten finalists saw off Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar's star-studded PSG 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium to win their group and make the last 16.

Liverpool made it five it from five in their group when they beat Porto, while AC Milan secured an impressive 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid.

Manchester United started their post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era with a fine victory against Villarreal, and Chelsea crushed Juventus 4-0.

Find out who makes Ian Hawkey's Champions League team of the week in the photo gallery above.

Updated: November 25, 2021, 6:33 AM
Champions LeagueManchester CityManchester UnitedAC Milan