After the second legs of the Champions League quarterfinals, we’ve picked out a handful of standout footballers based on five different categories: The Gamechanger (MVP), The Finisher (scorer of many/jaw-dropping goals), The Playmaker (creator of goals/chances), The Protector (standout defender) and The Stopper (top goalkeeper).
Here are our five selections from Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s matches, including a dominant extra-time showing by Real Madrid and another stout defensive performance by Juventus.
THE GAMECHANGER
Marcelo, Real Madrid
There’s no doubt that without Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid would likely be headed home rather than into the semifinals. But what else is new; CR7 has made a living of scoring big goals on the biggest of occasions for Los Blancos.
But there was another Real Madrid player who shone in Tuesday’s extra-time blowout of Bayern Munich.
Brazilian defender Marcelo was a jack of all trades in Real’s 4-2 victory, chipping in with four interceptions, a pair of blocks and a stunning goal-line clearance, while creating eight total chances over the 120 minutes –including an incredible run to set up Ronaldo’s third goal in the 109th minute.
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THE FINISHER
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
No one scored more goals in the quarterfinals than Ronaldo. In fact, Monaco was the only team that combined for more goals (six) than Ronaldo’s five in this round.
After notching a pair of second-half markers in the first leg to rescue Real in Munich, No. 7 once again put the La Liga leaders on his back at the Bernabeu with a hat-trick performance to seal another Champions League semifinal berth for the title holders.
Ronaldo now has 100 Champions League goals, six more than Lionel Messi and most all-time.
THE PLAYMAKER
Thomas Lemar, Monaco
In another thrilling tie between the Ligue 1 leaders and Borussia Dortmund that saw 15 total shots on target, it was Monaco’s youngsters who proved to be the deciding factor in a 3-1 win on Wednesday.
After teenager Kylian Mbappe continued his torrent scoring run with a goal in the third minute, 21-year-old Lemar found Radamel Falcao in the box with a perfect cross to secure Monaco’s lead in the tie.
With the assist, the Frenchman joined some elite Champions League company.
Monaco are Europe’s highest-scoring team, and with the form they’ve shown over their last two ties, they will be a challenge to whichever team they draw in the semifinals.
THE PROTECTOR
Miralem Pjanic, Juventus
Looking to avoid the same fate as PSG, Juventus had a clear game plan entering the second leg of their quarterfinal matchup at the Camp Nou: frustrate Barcelona.
And that’s what they did in a 0-0 draw.
Despite 65 percent possession and 19 total shots, Barcelona managed just a single attempt on target as Juventus was brilliant in their third of the pitch.
Notably, Pjanic racked up a game-high eight tackles (including a mid-air challenge resulting in a Messi face plant), five interceptions (tied for most) and three clearances. Combined with great performances from Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Dani Alves and Alex Sandro, Pjanic and Juventus accomplished something few teams have done – shutout Barcelona over two legs.
THE STOPPER
Jan Oblak, Atletico Madrid
The second legs of the quarterfinals didn’t produce any great performances from goalkeepers. Manuel Neuer held his own with six saves Tuesday to keep Bayern alive before surrendering three goals in extra time, while Gianluigi Buffon was rarely tested by Barcelona on Wednesday, having to make just a single save.
In the end, Oblak emerged as the most important ‘keeper in his team’s efforts to advance, stopping all but one of Leicester City’s six on target at the King Power Stadium in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday. The Slovenian stopper maintains a Champions League-high save rate ahead of the semifinals.