Dusan Vlahovic's perfect debut: Champions League team of the week

Imperious Thiago Silva snuffs out Lille's young guns while Dusan Tadic leads Ajax by example

• 

  GOALKEEPER: Odysseas Vlachodimos (Benfica) - The Greek goalkeeper’s crucial late save from Ajax’s Antony kept the most captivating tie of the week very much alive, at 2-2, going into the second leg in Amsterdam. He had earlier made two other decisive interventions on a busy night. AP Photo

• 

  RIGHT-BACK: Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax) - The Morocco international helped set the high tempo for the exhilarating, see-saw draw in Lisbon. Enterprising in attack, precise in his crossing, always ready to shoot and vigilant in defence. He set up the opening goal for Dusan Tadic. Getty Images

• 

  CENTRE-BACK: Danilo (Juventus) - Pushed into service in the centre of defence because of Juventus’s injuries, Danilo brought his experience to bear without forgetting his forward-thinking instincts. After an error in Villarreal’s midfield, Danilo lofted an inch-perfect pass to create the early Juve goal. Reuters

• 

  CENTRE-BACK: Thiago Silva (Chelsea) - Imperious in his positioning, and commanding in the air, the 37-year-old kept a youthful Lille attack at bay at Stamford Bridge. French opponents already know how effectively Thiago, ex of Paris Saint-Germain, can neutralise rivals. Chelsea are beginning to assume he always will. AFP

• 

  LEFT-BACK: Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid) - Pushed higher up the pitch than his usual left-back position by Atletico coach Diego Simeone, he gave Manchester United’s makeshift right-back Victor Lindelof a torrid first hour. One of several excellent crosses invited Joao Felix to head Atletico in front. EPA

• 

  RIGHT MIDFIELD: Rafa Silva (Benfica) - Daring in his duels, technically excellent, Rafa Silva made Benfica believe in the possibility of a comeback, and galvanised them from a goal down not once but twice. Ajax would be advised to make special plans on how to contain the Portugal winger in the next leg. AP Photo

• 

  CENTRE MIDFIELD: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) - Typically assiduous in recovering possession, Kante’s statistics for winning the ball climbed into double figures against Lille. He was also alert to the quick transition. That awareness and confidence on the ball led to Chelsea’s second goal. AP Photo

• 

  LEFT MIDFIELD: Etienne Capoue (Villarreal) - An immense display from the former Spurs and Watford player against a compact Juventus midfield. Capoue helped wrestle Villarreal back into the contest after a damaging early setback. His perceptive pass created the equaliser in the 1-1 draw. AP Photo

• 

  RIGHT WING Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) - The 22-year-old with the massive, €120m price tag led Atletico’s forward line in the absence of Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann from the starting line-up. He alarmed Manchester United from the word go. His flying, stretching headed goal was outstanding. AP Photo

• 

  CENTRE FORWARD: Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) - This is how to introduce yourself to club football’s most elevated competition. Vlahovic, signed by Juventus in January, took a little over 30 seconds of his first Champions League match to receive, deftly turn and score at Villarreal. There will be many more. AFP

• 

  LEFT WING: Dusan Tadic (Ajax) - Coolness epitomised in a raucous Estadio da Luz when he met, with an elegant cushioned volley, the Mazraoui cross to put Ajax 1-0 up against Benfica. He continued to apply poise to a hectic game. The 33-year-old sets the standards for his younger colleagues. AP Photo

Dusan Vlahovic needed just 31 seconds to show Europe why Juventus chose him to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Serbia striker had a dream debut in the Champions League on Tuesday, scoring a superb goal after his first contact with the ball in a 1-1 draw at Villarreal.

His goal had the elements of strikes that only players of Ronaldo’s caliber can pull off, combining power, a sense of the moment and that extra dose of confidence that means no scoring chance, however slim, should go to waste.

An imperious performance at the back by the ageless Thiago Silva and an energetic all-action display in midfield by N'Golo Kante powered Chelsea to a last-16 first-leg win over Lille.

Joao Felix led the line in the absence of Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann from the Atletico Madrid line-up, scoring a superb diving head against Manchester United.

But the Spaniards had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their match at Wanda Metrapolitano after substitute Anthony Elanga equalised with 10 minutes remaining.

To see who else makes this week's Champions League best XI, scroll through the picture gallery above.