Manchester City and Liverpool will both take leads into the second leg of their Champions League semi-finals following victories over Real Madrid and Villarreal respectively this week.
The Citizens were involved in a seven-goal thriller with Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, leading 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 on the night, but Real Madrid scored a third through Karim Benzema in the 82nd minute to leave the tie delicately poised at 4-3 heading into the second leg at Bernabeu.
Liverpool, meanwhile, had to be patient against Villarreal on Wednesday but ultimately ran out 2-0 winners at Anfield, with Sadio Mane adding to an own goal from Pervis Estupinan.
Man City will be looking to finish the job when they head to Madrid on May 4, while Liverpool will travel to Villarreal on May 3 aiming to advance to another European Cup final.
Here, Sports Mole selects its Champions League Team of the Week from the first legs of the semi-finals in Europe's leading cup competition.
DEFENCE
© Reuters
Ederson and Thibaut Courtois both found it difficult in Tuesday's clash at the Etihad Stadium, with the pair shipping seven goals between them in the thriller. Geronimo Rulli conceded twice for Villarreal at Anfield, meanwhile, so Alisson Becker gets the nod between the sticks. The Liverpool goalkeeper has certainly had busier evenings, but he again used the ball excellently, boasting a 100% pass success rate, while he was assured with his handling during another strong performance.
There are three Liverpool players in the back four, with Trent Alexander-Arnold putting in an excellent performance at right-back, while Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk were brilliant at the heart of the defence. Villarreal only had one attempt during a tough night, with Samuel Chukwueze and Arnaut Danjuma unable to get any change out of the home side's defensive unit.
The final spot at the back goes to Ferland Mendy, largely for his attacking work against Man City. Real Madrid's defence as a whole found it difficult in Manchester, but Mendy ended the night with two assists, setting up Benzema's first with a fine cross before providing for Vinicius Junior in the second period.
MIDFIELD
© Reuters
Thiago's recent form for Liverpool has drawn a lot of praise, and the Spaniard was again in wonderful form against Villarreal on Wednesday. The midfielder hit the woodwork at Anfield, while his use of the ball was again excellent, completing 99 of his 103 passes, with Villarreal unable to get near him for long spells.
There are also two Man City players selected in midfield, with Kevin De Bruyne sailing into the XI due to his performance against Real Madrid. The Belgium international made the breakthrough in the second minute with a close-range header before turning provider for Gabriel Jesus to make it 2-0 in the 11th minute. The playmaker continued to cause Real Madrid problems throughout the match, finishing with an 88% pass success rate, in addition to three shots.
Bernardo Silva, meanwhile, netted a stunner for the Citizens in the 74th minute, which capped an excellent midfield performance from the Portugal international. Indeed, he made five tackles during a disciplined performance, while the 27-year-old completed 51 of his 56 passes against Carlo Ancelotti's side.
ATTACK
© Reuters
Karim Benzema is enjoying a remarkable season for Real Madrid, and he scored his 40th and 41st goals of the season in the defeat to Man City. The striker's first in Manchester was a wonderful finish from a Mendy cross, before he chipped down the middle from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, showing nerves of steel against Ederson. There is perhaps not a better centre-forward in world football than the Frenchman at this moment in time.
Benzema is joined in this side by teammate Vinicius Junior, who caused John Stones and then Fernandinho a whole host of problems on Tuesday night. The Brazil international scored a brilliant goal in the 55th minute of the contest, but it was his overall work that impressed the most, with his movement and direct running making it such a difficult night for the home team's defence.
The final spot in this particular XI is awarded to Sadio Mane, who poked Liverpool into a 2-0 lead in the early stages of the second half against Villarreal. The 30-year-old had found it difficult in the opening half of the contest, but he made a telling contribution in the 55th minute, and the two quick-fire goals have left Jurgen Klopp's side in a strong position to reach another Champions League final.
SPORTS MOLE'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK
Sports Mole's Champions League team of the week (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Mendy; Thiago, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Mane, Benzema, Vinicius
Matt Law
