Chelsea and Atletico players named in XI: Champions League team of the week

Benfica and Villarreal also represented after the Round of 16 second leg matches

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (3-5-2): GK Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid). The Slovenian, such a tower of strength throughout his Atletico career, has not had his best season with the club. Against Manchester United, under pressure and away from home, a vintage Oblak reappeared, his reflexes sharp, his positioning inspired. EPA

CB Pau Torres (Villarreal): Set the platform for a defiant 3-0 victory for his hometown club with his busy first half of blocks, duels with Dusan Vlahovic and anticipations at Juventus. Capped a superb night by scoring the second of Villarreal’s three late goals. EPA

CB Lisandro Martinez (Ajax): Apart from his part in conceding the free-kick that led to Benfica’s against-the-run-of-play goal in Amsterdam, Martinez had an excellent night, vigilant in restricting the opposition to single shot on target and precise in his long and short passing. AP

CB Jan Vertonghen (Benfica): Stayed cool and authoritative against an Ajax who at times were relentless in their control of the tempo. For the first time in eight Champions League matches, Ajax’s Sebastien Haller finished a game goalless. Vertonghen applied the handcuffs. AFP

RWB Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea): “He is, maybe, the perfect example as a leader,” beamed Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea manager, after the 2-1 win at Lille. In an unsettled club, as Chelsea are, the skipper assumes more responsibilities. ‘Azpi’ extended his by scoring a rare goal. AFP

LWB Alex Grimaldo (Benfica): The Spanish full-back, a graduate of Barcelona’s youth system, had his work cut out up against Antony and Noussair Mazraoui, a dashing tandem on Ajax’s right flank. He held his own, always looking to get on the front foot quickly once in possession. AP

CM Fred (Manchester United): The outcome - defeat - for Manchester United was dispiriting. But aspects of the performance, especially in the first-half against Atletico Madrid, encouraged. Fred’s inventive, proactive instincts showed he is more than the conservative midfielder he is caricatured as. AP

CM Dani Parejo (Villarreal): Hard-working and a reassuring presence when keeping possession is imperative. Having hauled Villarreal back onto equal teams in the first leg, Parejo kept his team’s confidence when Juventus were on top in the second, the launchpad for a startling away win. Reuters

RW Antoine Griezmann (Atletico): A performance of initiative, energy and self-sacrifice from the France international. Griezmann did not return to Atletico last summer to spend long stretches as an auxiliary right-back, but having lent his expertise in attack, he rolled up his sleeves to show he can do that too if needed. Reuters

CF Darwin Nunez (Benfica): Barely 18 months ago, the Uruguayan was in the Spanish second division. His first Champions League campaign has been a dream. He struck a brace against Barcelona; he came off the bench to score at Bayern, and, at Ajax, headed in the goal that sealed a quarter-final berth. AP

LW Christian Pulisic (Chelsea): A superbly taken goal, just before half-time, took the wind out of Lille’s sails in France, equalising on the night and restoring the aggregate advantage for the Champions League holders. Always a threat with his movement and pace, and in good form. Getty Images

The Champions League quarter-final line-up was completed this week after the second legs of the remaining last 16 fixtures were played across Europe.

On Tuesday, Atletico Madrid progressed to the last eight after defeating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford following the 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg. The Spanish club were joined in the quarter-finals on the same night by Portuguese side Benfica, who claimed their own 1-0 away win at Ajax for a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Champions League holders Chelsea then kept alive their title defence by beating Lille 2-1 in France having taken control of the tie with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the first fixture. Wednesday also saw arguably the shock result of the round as Villarreal dominated Juventus 3-0 in Turin to advance 4-1 on aggregate.

Atletico, Benfica, Chelsea, and Villarreal join Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich in the European Cup quarter-finals, with the draws for the next two stages of the competition due to take place on Friday.

Ian Hawkey has provided his Champions League team of the week in the photo gallery above, To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.