UEFA Champions League: Players who stood out this week

• We’ve chosen players that stood out in this week’s European matches after the most recent round of UEFA Champions League last-16 action.

We’ve chosen players that stood out in this week’s European matches after the most recent round of UEFA Champions League last-16 action.

Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)

Donyell Malen in action for Borussia Dortmund Photo/ Borrusia Dortmund

With a goal against PSV Eindhoven for Borussia Dortmund, Donyell Malen returned to torment his former team.

In addition to being the first Dutchman to score against a Dutch team in the Champions League knockout stages, the striker maintained his scorching run around goal with his fifth goal in five games for Dortmund.

Malen’s goal was thunderous from a decreasing angle, and he declined to celebrate—especially against the team that developed him and saw him score forty goals in 81 league appearances.

With his goal, 3/4 completed dribbles, and 5/7 wins in ground duels, the 25-year-old was Dortmund’s most dynamic player during the 1-1 draw.

Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)

The runners-up from the previous season, Inter Milan, are looking like dark horses in the Champions League this year after making an impression in Serie A.

With a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the San Siro, the Nerazzurri advanced to the quarterfinals. Marko Arnautović scored the game’s winning goal off the bench.

Nicolo Barella put on one of his greatest European performances of the season as Inter dominated the match. Barella was a key component of Inter’s campaign.

Unwavering in his diligence, Barella won seven duels, made four tackles, and completed four crucial passes. influence from the Italy international box to box.

Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)

Ronald Araujo against Napoli. Photo/ FC Barcelona

Excellent in his matchup with Victor Osimhen, Araujo was on course for a commanding defensive performance against Napoli, but the Nigerian equalized thanks to a mistake made by his center-back partner, Inigo Martinez.

Araujo won five out of six duels, made four clearances, and had excellent long-range passing when defending one on one.

The 24-year-old was the Spanish team’s best player in his first-ever Champions League knockout stage appearance, giving Barcelona the momentum they needed to advance to the round of eight.

Galeno (Porto)

At The Estádio do Dragão, Porto defeated Arsenal in stoppage time thanks to a goal from Galeno that proved to be the winning margin.

After a stellar group stage run, the Brazilian winger is enjoying a breakout year in this tournament. His goal against the Gunners, which he curled expertly into the far corner, is his fifth goal overall in the Champions League this year. The 26-year-old has more goals than any other player and three assists as well.

Except for a spectacularly missed double opportunity, he had little overall effect on the match as Arsenal controlled the ball. However, he did create the magical moment that gave Porto the lead before the second leg.

Declan Rice said that Arsenal’s late Champions League loss was a “kick in the teeth” after Galeno’s goal for Porto.

Galeno went inside and curled a finish into the corner of the net for his fifth goal of the Champions League season as Porto, who had played excellent defense, came away with the victory almost at the very end of the match. Galeno’s strike threw the home crowd into a frenzy, and Gabriel Martinelli was penalized for wasting possession in the build-up while trying to send Arsenal into a counterattack.

Pepe (Porto)

Pepe was solid at the back for Porto against Arsenal in the Champions League. Photo/ Eurosport

In addition to helping Porto maintain a clean sheet against Arsenal at The Estádio do Dragão, the seasoned center-back made history by being the oldest outfield player to start a UEFA Champions League knockout game (40y 360d).

Arsenal was in free-scoring form at home before the match, but they were smothered by Porto in Portugal, where Pepe won 5/7 duels. Arsenal did not register a shot on goal in the first leg.

A Porto squad hoping to surprise many this season would greatly benefit from the center-back’s expertise. He won the Champions League three times while playing for Real Madrid. Pepe has somewhat remarkably participated in more games (118) in this tournament than the whole starting lineup of Arsenal (104).