Matchday 01 of the UEFA Champions League featured standout performances from several high-profile players as well as impressive displays from some lesser-known talents.
There were a few surprising results too, such as Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid losing at home to Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively, while champions Bayern Munich thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in Germany.
Champions League Matchday 01 results:
Now that we know the results, let’s try and make our Champions League Team of the Week. The formation used is 4-2-4.
Goalkeeper: David de Gea (Manchester United)
David De Gea had a stellar game against Paris Saint-Germain as he helped his team to a stunning 2-1 victory in France. The Spanish shot-stopper rolled back the years as he denied everything that was thrown at him and only conceded an unfortunate own goal.
The former Atletico Madrid man made the highest number of saves (5) and the second-highest number of recoveries in the game (10). If not for De Gea, Manchester United would have found it difficult to start their Champions League campaign on a winning note.
Right-back: Dmitri Zhivoglyadov (Lokomotiv Moscow)
Dmitri Zhivoglyadov had a good game against an in-form RB Salzburg team. The full-back was brilliant defensively and provided a real threat going forward as well.
The former Russian Under-21 international provided an assist in the 2-2 draw and also managed the second-highest number of interceptions in the game (4) as Lokomotiv Moscow collected a vital point away from home in their Champions League opener.
Centre-back: Cristian Romero (Atalanta)
Cristian Romero, who joined Atalanta on loan from Juventus in the summer, is becoming a fan-favourite at his new club. The Argentine looked solid at the heart of the defence and was more than a handful in set-piece situations against Midtjylland.
In addition to helping Atalanta keep a clean sheet, Romero provided an assist and won the most aerial duels (5) in the game, which his side won 4-0.
Centre-back: Diego Carlos (Sevilla)
Diego Carlos had a solid game against Chelsea as he helped his side to a vital away point against the Blues. The former Nantes player, who has looked short on confidence in La Liga this season, was much more assured in dealing with the attacking threat of the Premier League club.
He helped Sevilla keep a clean sheet, and made the highest number of passes (61) and interceptions (4) in the match.
Left-back: Angelino (RB Leipzig)
Angelino arguably played the best game of his short Champions League career so far as he helped RB Leipzig to a brilliant 2-0 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir. The Manchester City loanee was tremendous at both ends of the field as he scored a brace and helped keep a clean sheet.
Central Midfielder: Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)
Defending champions Bayern Munich started their Champions League campaign in a ruthless fashion. The Bavarians were simply too hot to handle for Diego Simeoneβs men as they cruised to a 4-0 victory.
Corentin Tolisso played a key role in the victory as his fantastic strike from outside the box in the 66th minute gave the Bundesliga champions a commanding 3-0 lead.
Central Midfielder: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
Ilkay Gundogan is one of the underrated players in a star-studded Manchester City line-up. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder had a good game in the middle of the park against Porto and helped his team to regain control after they conceded the early goal.
The German international also scored in the second half to help the Citizens take the lead against the Portuguese outfit.
Left-winger: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
Kingsley Coman showed his talent and reminded why he is considered one of the best wingers in the world. The French international was on a mission to destroy one of the most resolute defences in Europe and was on his game from the first whistle.
The former Juventus man, who has mostly started on the bench in recent times, grabbed his opportunity with both hands as he scored a brace and provided an assist in the 4-0 hammering of Atletico Madrid.
Right-winger: Tete (Shakhtar Donetsk)
The Real Madrid defenders won’t forget Tete anytime soon. The young winger wreaked havoc on the experienced backline of Los Blancos and helped his team to a historic 3-2 victory over the record Champions League champions.
The Brazilian scored around the half-hour mark to give his side a surprising lead before his venomous shot, which was turned into his own goal by Raphael Varane, doubled the Ukrainian side’s lead.
The former Gremio man also registered the highest number of shots on target (3) and the second-highest number of take-ons (3) to round up a brilliant night for him and his team.
Striker: Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
Ciro Immobile has proven himself to be one of the best strikers in Serie A in recent years and is looking more determined than ever to make a mark on the European stage.
The former Dortmund player was in fine form against his former employers as he scored a goal and provided an assist to help Lazio to a brilliant 3-1 victory.
Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Romelu Lukaku just canβt stop scoring at the moment, with the Belgian starting the Champions League campaign with a bang. The former Manchester United striker scored a brace, including a last-minute equalizer to help Inter Milan to a 2-2 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Here’s how our Champions League Team of the Week for Matchday 01 would line up:
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