• Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid). But for the long limbs of the Belgian goalkeeper, Madrid’s progress past Atalanta would have been far less comfortable. An early save from Robin Gosens and a late one from Duvan Zapata kept Madrid in charge. EPA
    Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid). But for the long limbs of the Belgian goalkeeper, Madrid’s progress past Atalanta would have been far less comfortable. An early save from Robin Gosens and a late one from Duvan Zapata kept Madrid in charge. EPA
  • Right-back - Reece James (Chelsea). The sturdy right-back-cum-wing-back established command of his flank against Atletico Madrid, outperforming his England rival, Atletico’s Kieran Trippier. Threatening going forward and solid in retreat. Reuters
    Right-back - Reece James (Chelsea). The sturdy right-back-cum-wing-back established command of his flank against Atletico Madrid, outperforming his England rival, Atletico’s Kieran Trippier. Threatening going forward and solid in retreat. Reuters
  • Centre-back - John Stones (Manchester City). It is almost a rare day when Stones doesn’t score a goal these days. But he was at the origin of the moves for both City’s goals against Borussia Monchengladbach, and masterly in his main job in central defence. AFP
    Centre-back - John Stones (Manchester City). It is almost a rare day when Stones doesn’t score a goal these days. But he was at the origin of the moves for both City’s goals against Borussia Monchengladbach, and masterly in his main job in central defence. AFP
  • Centre-back - Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Returning after a period of injury, Madrid’s talismanic captain kept Atalanta’s dangerous Luis Muriel at bay, at least from open play, and put his name on the scoresheet, again, at a critical moment, converting from the penalty spot. EPA
    Centre-back - Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Returning after a period of injury, Madrid’s talismanic captain kept Atalanta’s dangerous Luis Muriel at bay, at least from open play, and put his name on the scoresheet, again, at a critical moment, converting from the penalty spot. EPA
  • Left-back - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City). In the sort of form where Pep Guardiola can put him anywhere in his formation. Creative, and instinctively tuned about when to roam and when to stick in his position, he shone, as he had in the first leg against Gladbach. AFP
    Left-back - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City). In the sort of form where Pep Guardiola can put him anywhere in his formation. Creative, and instinctively tuned about when to roam and when to stick in his position, he shone, as he had in the first leg against Gladbach. AFP
  • Right midfield - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich). No danger of complacency while Kimmich bosses Bayern’s midfield. They owned their last-16 contest against Lazio before the second leg, but made sure of it once Kimmich launched the counter that set up Bayern’s sixth goal of the tie. Reuters
    Right midfield - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich). No danger of complacency while Kimmich bosses Bayern’s midfield. They owned their last-16 contest against Lazio before the second leg, but made sure of it once Kimmich launched the counter that set up Bayern’s sixth goal of the tie. Reuters
  • Centre midfield - N’Golo Kante (Chelsea). It’s not easy to out-fight and out-think Atletico Madrid at the heart of midfield. Kante achieved it for a Chelsea missing the influential Jorginho. The France player’s pressing was typically smart, but he looked ahead, too, for opportunities on the break. AFP
    Centre midfield - N’Golo Kante (Chelsea). It’s not easy to out-fight and out-think Atletico Madrid at the heart of midfield. Kante achieved it for a Chelsea missing the influential Jorginho. The France player’s pressing was typically smart, but he looked ahead, too, for opportunities on the break. AFP
  • Left midfield - Luka Modric (Real Madrid). The older he grows - he’s 35 - the more energetic he becomes. Ubiquitous while Madrid sought control of a potentially tense night against Atalanta, aiding in defence, stimulating the attack. Set up the first goal in the 3-1 win. EPA
    Left midfield - Luka Modric (Real Madrid). The older he grows - he’s 35 - the more energetic he becomes. Ubiquitous while Madrid sought control of a potentially tense night against Atalanta, aiding in defence, stimulating the attack. Set up the first goal in the 3-1 win. EPA
  • Right wing - Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich). Sane has fully perfected what Bayern used to recognise as the Arjen Robben manoeuvre, cutting onto his left foot from wide on the right. Used it to alarm Lazio, and later played a brilliant disguised pass to Serge Gnabry. AFP
    Right wing - Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich). Sane has fully perfected what Bayern used to recognise as the Arjen Robben manoeuvre, cutting onto his left foot from wide on the right. Used it to alarm Lazio, and later played a brilliant disguised pass to Serge Gnabry. AFP
  • Centre-forward - Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City). A superb goal killed the tie against Gladbach and served notice that De Bruyne, thriving in positions closer to goal in recent weeks, might just be the spearhead to take City to a Champions League final. AFP
    Centre-forward - Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City). A superb goal killed the tie against Gladbach and served notice that De Bruyne, thriving in positions closer to goal in recent weeks, might just be the spearhead to take City to a Champions League final. AFP
  • Left wing - Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid). One run against Atalanta epitomised the best and the most exasperating in Vinicius, brilliant in its ambition, speed and dribbling. Alas, the finish disappointed. But he is decisive in important matches. He won a penalty minutes later. EPA
    Left wing - Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid). One run against Atalanta epitomised the best and the most exasperating in Vinicius, brilliant in its ambition, speed and dribbling. Alas, the finish disappointed. But he is decisive in important matches. He won a penalty minutes later. EPA

Football

Sergio Ramos one of four Real Madrid stars alongside Leroy Sane - Champions League team of the week

Draw for the quarter-finals takes place on Friday

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey
London

March 18, 2021

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Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane praised an evergreen Luka Modric after the 35-year-old midfielder produced a majestic display in a comfortable 3-1 win over Atalanta on Tuesday as the Spanish side reached the Champions League quarter-finals.

Modric played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock by contributing to his side's high-pressing game and intercepting a kick out from Atalanta keeper Marco Sportiello to set up Karim Benzema for the opening goal.

"We all know the player Modric is, he may be 35 but he sure doesn't look it out on the pitch," Zidane told reporters after his side made it to the last eight of Europe's top competition for the first time since 2018.

Sergio Ramos marked his return from injury by converting a penalty. Luis Muriel pulled one back for the visitors late on but any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed as substitute Marco Asensio fired in a third for Madrid.

Holders Bayern Munich cruised through to the Champions League quarter-finals for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons after beating Lazio 2-1 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday to secure a 6-2 aggregate victory.

Leading 4-1 from the first leg in Rome, Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Bayern from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, his 39th goal of the season in all competitions, to virtually end Lazio's hopes.

The German champions took their foot off the gas before substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, having replaced Lewandowski, added the second goal in the 73rd minute. Marco Parolo headed a late consolation for Lazio.

Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City booked their place in Friday's quarter-final draw.

Goals from Hakim Ziyech and Emerson Palmieri helped Chelsea complete a 3-0 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid and extended their unbeaten run to 13 games in all competitions since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as coach in January.

City marched into the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition for a fourth straight season after a 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach completed a 4-0 aggregate victory.

Guardiola's side have not conceded a goal since the opening game of the group stage against FC Porto in October, more than 11 hours of football.

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