• GK: David De Gea (Man United). It’s a nice gig, defending a 6-2 first-leg lead. It becomes troubling when you have to make 10 vital saves in the second leg. De Gea, no longer automatic first-choice at United, reminded, at Roma, of his shot-stopping excellence, steering his team to the Europa League final. AFP
    GK: David De Gea (Man United). It’s a nice gig, defending a 6-2 first-leg lead. It becomes troubling when you have to make 10 vital saves in the second leg. De Gea, no longer automatic first-choice at United, reminded, at Roma, of his shot-stopping excellence, steering his team to the Europa League final. AFP
  • RB: Mario Gaspar (Villarreal). A wonderful night at Arsenal for the Villarreal stalwart, veteran of over 400 games with the club but in the side thanks to others’ injuries for their historic qualification for the Europa League final. Kept the Arsenal left flank largely quiet with his diligence. AP
    RB: Mario Gaspar (Villarreal). A wonderful night at Arsenal for the Villarreal stalwart, veteran of over 400 games with the club but in the side thanks to others’ injuries for their historic qualification for the Europa League final. Kept the Arsenal left flank largely quiet with his diligence. AP
  • CB: Ruben Dias (Man City). Impeccable. City’s defensive monolith blocked Paris Saint-Germain shots with every part of his body on the rare occasions where he wasn’t intercepting danger earlier. A transformative player for a club on their way to a first Champions League final. AFP
    CB: Ruben Dias (Man City). Impeccable. City’s defensive monolith blocked Paris Saint-Germain shots with every part of his body on the rare occasions where he wasn’t intercepting danger earlier. A transformative player for a club on their way to a first Champions League final. AFP
  • CB: Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea). Six months ago, he was on the margins at Chelsea. A new manager brought renewed faith in the forthright German defender, who against Real Madrid was resolute at the back and always alert to attacking opportunities on the counter. Reuters
    CB: Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea). Six months ago, he was on the margins at Chelsea. A new manager brought renewed faith in the forthright German defender, who against Real Madrid was resolute at the back and always alert to attacking opportunities on the counter. Reuters
  • LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Man City). So much for City’s problem position. On the landmark night of the club’s history, the position was given to the unsung warrior, Zinchenko. He contained, with maturity, PSG’s best efforts on his flank and attacked with relish and great effect. EPA
    LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Man City). So much for City’s problem position. On the landmark night of the club’s history, the position was given to the unsung warrior, Zinchenko. He contained, with maturity, PSG’s best efforts on his flank and attacked with relish and great effect. EPA
  • CM: Dani Parejo (Villarreal). All his vast knowhow concentrated into a cool, selfless performance at Arsenal. Never flustered, shrewdly positioned at the base of midfield, he has emerged as a reliable leader in Villarreal’s best-ever run in a European competition. Reuters
    CM: Dani Parejo (Villarreal). All his vast knowhow concentrated into a cool, selfless performance at Arsenal. Never flustered, shrewdly positioned at the base of midfield, he has emerged as a reliable leader in Villarreal’s best-ever run in a European competition. Reuters
  • CM: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea). Not many men run rings around Real Madrid’s Casemiro, let alone outshine Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Kante did it over two legs, and besides the defensive covering that is his second nature, he helped create both goals at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images
    CM: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea). Not many men run rings around Real Madrid’s Casemiro, let alone outshine Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Kante did it over two legs, and besides the defensive covering that is his second nature, he helped create both goals at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images
  • AM: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City). Who wouldn’t make De Bruyne their centrepiece? The one club who willingly let him leave, Chelsea, may be painfully reminded, yet again, of their error. The Belgian, dominant throughout the semi against PSG, will face Chelsea in the Champions League final. Getty Images
    AM: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City). Who wouldn’t make De Bruyne their centrepiece? The one club who willingly let him leave, Chelsea, may be painfully reminded, yet again, of their error. The Belgian, dominant throughout the semi against PSG, will face Chelsea in the Champions League final. Getty Images
  • RW: Pedro (Roma). The winger who has won everything believed in the impossible against Manchester United in Rome. He led Roma's attempt to erase a vast first-leg deficit. With Pedro at his wiry, inventive best, Roma briefly threatened a full comeback. Reuters
    RW: Pedro (Roma). The winger who has won everything believed in the impossible against Manchester United in Rome. He led Roma's attempt to erase a vast first-leg deficit. With Pedro at his wiry, inventive best, Roma briefly threatened a full comeback. Reuters
  • CF: Edinson Cavani (Man United). In a week that made the orthodox, free-scoring centre-forward look unfashionable, Cavani gave one of his regular reminders that there is no surer currency than the high-class finisher. Scored two in Rome, to add to his brace and three assists in the first leg. Reuters
    CF: Edinson Cavani (Man United). In a week that made the orthodox, free-scoring centre-forward look unfashionable, Cavani gave one of his regular reminders that there is no surer currency than the high-class finisher. Scored two in Rome, to add to his brace and three assists in the first leg. Reuters
  • LW: Riyad Mahrez (Man City). His three goals in the semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain represent the difference between another City near-miss and their first Champions League final. The big occasion suits the Algerian, coolest man on the pitch over an epic 180 minutes. AP
    LW: Riyad Mahrez (Man City). His three goals in the semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain represent the difference between another City near-miss and their first Champions League final. The big occasion suits the Algerian, coolest man on the pitch over an epic 180 minutes. AP

Football

Four Manchester City players joined by Chelsea's dominant midfielder: Uefa team of the week

Champions League and Europa League ready for finals after this week's semi-final second legs

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey
London

May 07, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Only four teams remain in Uefa's leading club competitions after this week's semi-final second legs.

In the Champions League, Manchester City - soon to be confirmed as Premier League winners - were the first side to book their place in the final after defeating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 at the Etihad on Tuesday for a 4-1 aggregate victory against last season's finalists.

Chelsea then ensured an all-English final in Istanbul by eliminating Real Madrid on Wednesday, their 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge to go with the 1-1 draw last week in the Spanish capital.

On Thursday, Manchester United may have lost 3-2 at Roma but their 6-2 win in the first leg at Old Trafford proved a comfortable cushion to book their place in the Europa League final.

Villarreal denied the prospect of a Premier League clean sweep of European club finals by holding Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates to advance to the final courtesy of last week's 2-1 win in Spain.

Reflecting on the semi-final second legs, Ian Hawkey has provided his combined Champions League and Europa 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.

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