Champions League team of the week: record-breaker Guirassy and playmaker Merino

On April 15-16, the second legs of the 2024/2025 Champions League quarter-finals took place.

On the first matchday, Aston Villa mounted a comeback against PSG, but the Parisians advanced based on aggregate. Borussia defeated Barcelona but concluded their campaign in this year's competition.

On the second matchday, Real Madrid lost to Arsenal in the dying minutes and failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time in 5 years. Inter and Bayern drew, a result that favored the Italians.

Presenting the symbolic team of the second legs of the 2024/2025 Champions League quarter-finals.

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

Despite conceding 2 goals against Arsenal, the 32-year-old Belgian goalkeeper made 4 saves, three of which were from inside the box, along with one cross interception. Additionally, Courtois saved a penalty from Bukayo Saka.

• Left-back: Josip Stanišić (Bayern)

Josip made three clearances and interceptions, along with one ball recovery. 58 of his passes (97%) reached their target, including 4 long balls and one key pass, as well as a cross. Stanišić won 5 out of 7 ground and aerial duels.

The only downside: Josip knocked a ball boy off his chair after the boy tossed the ball away from the defender late in the match.

• Center-back: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)

The 27-year-old Englishman made 3 tackles and 2 clearances, and blocked two shots against PSG. He completed 6 long passes, won two aerial duels, and succeeded in 3 out of 4 ground duels.

In the 57th minute, Konsa scored Villa's third goal, sparking hope for a semi-final berth. He also had another chance to score but missed it.

• Right-back: Benjamin Pavard (Inter)

The 29-year-old Frenchman scored against his former club, Bayern Munich, a goal that effectively sent “Nerazzurri” to the semi-finals. Pavard also made 8 clearances, blocked two shots, and made one interception.

• Defensive midfielder: Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter)

The 31-year-old Turk delivered 23 accurate passes against Bayern, including one key pass and one cross. Hakan created one clear goal-scoring opportunity, and in the 61st minute, Pavard scored Inter's second goal from his corner.

Çalhanoğlu made two tackles, and one clearance, interception, blocked shot, and dribble each.

• Left midfielder: John McGinn (Aston Villa)

In 66 minutes on the pitch, the 30-year-old Scotsman was involved in 2 of Villa's 3 goals. In the 34th minute, John assisted Tielemans. In the 55th minute, McGinn equalized with a long-range strike from outside the box.

• Central midfielder: Pascal Groß (Borussia)

The 33-year-old German delivered 6 key passes and 2 accurate long balls, along with 4 crosses against Barcelona, creating one goal-scoring opportunity. Pascal drew two fouls from opponents.

One of the fouls in the 11th minute led to a penalty successfully converted by Guirassy. Five minutes later, Pascal scored himself, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

• Right midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

The 27-year-old Dutchman completed 68 accurate passes (91%), including one cross and 3 long balls against Borussia. He made one successful dribble and won 8 out of 11 ground duels.

Frenkie made 3 tackles and 3 interceptions, along with one clearance, and drew four fouls.

• Attacking midfielder: Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

The 28-year-old Spaniard provided both assists against Real Madrid and earned a penalty, which Saka failed to convert. In total, Merino forced the “Whites” to commit three fouls.

Additionally, Mikel made two key passes and created as many goal-scoring chances. The Spaniard made 4 tackles and completed one successful dribble.

• Forward: Serhou Guirassy (Borussia)

The Guinean striker was the standout performer against Barcelona. Guirassy became the first African to score a hat-trick against the Catalans. With 13 goals, Serhou leads the UCL scoring charts. Moreover, he broke the “Bees'” record for goals in Europe's most prestigious tournament, surpassing Lewandowski and Haaland.

• Forward: Lautaro Martínez (Inter)

The 27-year-old Argentine, by scoring against Bayern, became the first Inter player to score in five consecutive UCL matches. This goal was Lautaro's eighth in this UCL campaign.

Additionally, Martínez completed 5 of 6 successful dribbles, won 11 out of 13 ground duels and 2 out of 4 aerial duels, and made 2 tackles. Bayern players fouled the Argentine four times.

• Coach: Unai Emery (Aston Villa)

The Spanish coach boldly deployed a four-midfielder setup against the Parisians, including the surprising placement of John McGinn on the flank. This allowed Aston Villa to overload the midfield and apply pressure on the opponent's defense.

His risky high-pressing strategy led to the creation of 6 clear goal-scoring opportunities. Emery demonstrated how to expose the weaknesses of top clubs. He once again confirmed his reputation as a cup fighter who knows how to motivate his players for heroic performances.