UEFA.com's team of the week
Thursday, October 2, 2014
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UEFA.com reporters around Europe pick their team of the week from matchday two, including a notable goalscorer and two of Paris Saint-Germain's defensive heroes.
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GK: Rui Patrício (Sporting Clube de Portugal)
Sporting may have lost to Chelsea FC but the goalkeeper's superlative display meant the result might easily have been different. "At the end, I told him: 'You wanted to spoil my night!'" said an admiring José Mourinho.
DF: Juanfran (Club Atlético de Madrid)
Beaten at Olympiacos FC on matchday one, Atlético recaptured some of their 2013/14 UEFA Champions League form by ousting Juventus. Juanfran, characteristically solid at the back, also showed attacking threat with the cross for Arda Turan to score the only goal.
DF: David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain)
Influential at both ends as Paris edged out FC Barcelona in a five-goal thriller, the Brazilian netted the first goal – and had two more attempts blocked – before throwing himself into every tackle and in front of every shot to help preserve the advantage.
DF: Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
Luiz's centre-back partner was equally impressive in keeping Barça at bay, making no fewer than six clearances at the Parc des Princes – most of them crucial.
DF: Marek Suchý (FC Basel 1893)
The foundation on which Basel's resolute defence was built against Liverpool FC, his calm assurance – and several fine blocks – helped secure a notable victory.
MF: Son Heung-Min (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
The pivotal figure in Leverkusen's crucial scalp of SL Benfica, his parried strike led to Stefan Kiessling's opener before the South Korean got on the scoresheet himself, converting Karim Bellarabi's cross.
MF: Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)
The Japan midfielder left his mark early as Dortmund won in Belgium, his exquisite lofted pass paving the way for Ciro Immobile's third-minute breakthrough. "I think I did well to judge the moment and made the right choice," Kagawa said modestly.
MF: Aleksandr Karnitski (FC BATE Borisov)
BATE celebrated the first UEFA Champions League match at the Borisov Arena with an eye-catching success over Athletic Club, the midfielder crowning a fine personal display with a deflected winner four minutes before half-time.
FW: Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
Totti rolled back the years with a clever chipped finish to earn Roma a draw at Manchester City FC – making 'Il Capitano', at 38 years and three days, the oldest goalscorer in UEFA Champions League history.
FW: Jackson Martínez (FC Porto)
Kept on the bench at FC Shakhtar Donetsk, the Colombia forward was summoned with 25 minutes left and Porto trailing 1-0. Although his team fell further behind, two late, late goals, somehow rescued a point.
FW: Danny Welbeck (Arsenal FC)
Welbeck claimed his first professional hat-trick as the Gunners overran Galatasaray AŞ and, with six shots on goal, might have had even more. "He's starting to get there," said Arsène Wenger.