Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Champions League Team of the Week - Mats Hummels, Joselu, Vinicius Junior

sportsmole.co.uk, 9 May 2024, 08:14
Real Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmund in the final of the 2023-24 Champions League on June 1, with Wembley Stadium hosting what should be a fascinating contest.

Dortmund beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the second leg of their semi-final in France to record a 2-0 aggregate victory over the French champions.

Real Madrid then joined BVB in the final courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the second leg of their last-four clash at Bernabeu, with Joselu netting a late brace in the Spanish capital.

Los Blancos triumphed 4-3 on aggregate to advance to yet another European Cup final, and the Madrid giants will be going in search of a 15th success in the competition at the start of next month.

Here, Sports Mole selects its standout XI from the second legs of the 2023-24 Champions League semi-finals, with a number of players putting in brilliant performances.

DEFENCE

Gregor Kobel has been excellent for Dortmund in this season's Champions League, and the 26-year-old put in another strong performance during his side's 1-0 win in Paris. The Swiss goalkeeper made five saves on Tuesday evening and was a calming presence between the sticks.

Mats Hummels was also outstanding for Dortmund against PSG, scoring the winner in the French capital, while he won four aerial duels and made four tackles during a brilliant defensive performance, with the 35-year-old helping to keep the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele quiet in the second leg of the semi-final.

Ian Maatsen is the second BVB defender in this XI, with the 22-year-old also contributing heavily to his side's clean sheet. The left-back was also a threat when Dortmund enjoyed possession of the ball, completing two dribbles and finishing with a pass success rate of 77%.

There are also two Real Madrid defenders in the side, with Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger both playing key roles in the capital outfit's incredible late win over Bayern.

Carvajal missed the first leg through suspension, but the 32-year-old was back in the XI on Wednesday; he won three aerial duels and made five tackles, while the Spaniard also completed 45 of his 54 passes.

Rudiger was also a certainty due to his strong display in the same match. The Germany international actually provided the assist for Joselu to win it late on, but he was also outstanding at the back, while the 31-year-old completed 60 of his 66 passes during a fine display in the Spanish capital.

MIDFIELD

There are two Dortmund midfielders in the side, with Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer both performing important roles in the success over PSG.

Brandt came up with the assist for Hummels's header, while he completed two dribbles, made two tackles and boasted a pass success rate of 86% during a strong display in the French capital.

Sabitzer, meanwhile, was again an energetic presence in the middle of midfield, with the 30-year-old's running power and game intelligence proving to be absolutely vital for Dortmund, and he is another player who deserves huge praise when it comes to key figures for BVB in the latter stages of this competition.

Vitinha also deserves to be included despite being on the losing side on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old had six shots in total, one of which hit the crossbar, while he completed 64 of his 68 passes during an excellent performance, with the 24-year-old comfortably PSG's best player in the second leg.

ATTACK

Jamal Musiala was also on the losing side in the semi-finals, but he put in a strong performance for Bayern against Real Madrid. The Germany international finished with a pass success rate of 89%, and he was a constant threat for the visitors before his surprise withdrawal in the latter stages of the match.

The final two players in this side come from Real Madrid, with Vinicius Junior outstanding for long spells of the second leg against Bayern. The Brazil international was the player carrying the fight for Los Blancos, having five shots in total, while he completed seven dribbles and made two key passes at Bernabeu.

Joselu, meanwhile, was only introduced in the 81st minute of the clash between Real Madrid and Bayern, but he came up with two goals to win the tie for Carlo Ancelotti's side. The on-loan Espanyol striker levelled it at 1-1 in the 88th minute following a mistake from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, before scoring a second in stoppage time, with the goal awarded after a VAR check, and he has proven to be a brilliant signing for Real Madrid.

SPORTS MOLE'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK

Sports Mole's Champions League Team of the Week (4-4-2): Kobel; Carvajal, Rudiger, Hummels, Maatsen; Vitinha, Sabitzer, Brandt; Musiala, Joselu, Vinicius

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has seemingly opened the door to a future move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Premier League clubs are not renowned for their patience when firing managers, and we've already had our first sacking of 2024/25. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Returning to the Roma hotseat for a third spell in charge, Claudio Ranieri will lead the Giallorossi into Sunday's Serie A showdown with Napoli. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that Ben White is likely to be out for months rather than weeks after undergoing an operation on his knee. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts believes that Gunners new boy Mikel Merino has been "unfairly judged" on some of his performances so far in the 2024-25 campaign. 22 November 2024 talksport.com What would you do if you first big break in football came with your fierce rivals? 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the most unlikely matchups we could have anticipated heading into the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs will transpire on Sunday as Orlando City face Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Inter & Co Stadium. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano is set to be the new head coach of Inter Miami, according to reports. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to kick-start their Premier League campaigns after stalling before the international break, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace convene at Villa Park on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sean Dyche will look to extend his 100% record over Thomas Frank as Everton manager, when Brentford visit Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fourth meets fifth in Saturday's fascinating Premier League battle at the Emirates, as Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to the English capital. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a fifth win from six Premier League home games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth host the Seagulls in Saturday's top-flight affair at the Vitality Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City supporters were hoping that November's international break would provide some of the club's senior stars with an opportunity to step up their recovery from injury. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nice, aiming to maintain their current eight-game unbeaten streak in the league, are set to host Strasbourg at the STADIUM on Sunday night for matchday 12 of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea expect to have Cole Palmer fit for this weekend's Premier League encounter against Leicester City. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola reminded doubters of his commitment to the club by referencing his relegation claim of six months ago. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender Ben White will be sidelined for months after undergoing knee surgery. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League have announced that their partnership with IMG will end after 20 years for a new media operation. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has reportedly been the subject of an "audacious" bid from Leeds United. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying some superb form will meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as Lazio and Bologna both aim to extend winning streaks in Serie A. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Erling Haaland sent out a warning shot to the Premier League as Manchester City aim to end their four match losing streak. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca's King Power Stadium reunion takes place on Saturday lunchtime, as Leicester City and Chelsea prepare for battle in the Premier League's first game back after the international break. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League groups have now been confirmed, and attention will now begin to switch to the knockout stage and playoff formats of the competition. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have suffered a defeat in their long-running legal battle with the Premier League, who have seen proposed changes to Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules approved by a majority of teams. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides battling against relegation from Ligue 1 are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Nantes host Le Havre at Stade de la Beaujoire. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes head coach Borja Jimenez will have to make two changes to his starting XI for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raul Asencio is in line to make his full debut for Real Madrid in Sunday's La Liga clash with Leganes. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Michail Antonio's professional career has had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.