What a whirlwind of action this week’s Champions League matches were! As we mentioned in the preview, the big leads in three of the matches should have set up for exciting reprises and they did not disappoint. Roma were easily the story of the week, having come back from three goals down to beat Barcelona and advance to the next round of the competition.
As such, the Italian side has landed four players in our Goal Team of the Week. Below, you can see the seven other players who made the cut.
GK: David Soria - Sevilla - 1 game, 6 saves, 1 clean sheet = 10 points
DEF: Kostas Manolas - Roma - 1 game, 1 goal, 1 clean sheet = 14 points
What a reversal of fortune for the Greek defender after scoring an own goal and conceding three total in the first leg. Manolas’ goal and clean sheet were vital to Roma’s shock 3-0 comeback against that Barcelona that saw the Italian side advance. We have yet to find out who will face Roma in the semifinals but no one will be wanting to face their defence - which may well be the best one left in this tournament.
DEF: Mats Hummels - Bayern - 1 game, 1 clean sheet = 7 points
DEF: Federico Fazio - Roma - 1 game, 1 clean sheet = 7 points
DEF: Gabriel Mercado - Sevilla - 1 game, 1 clean sheet = 7 points
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MID: Daniele De Rossi - Roma - 1 game, 1 goal, 1 assist = 11 points
In a crazy turn of fate, De Rossi, like Manolas, also went from scoring an own goal in the first leg to scoring a vital goal against Barcelona in the second. The goal is even more impressive considering it was his first in the Champions League this season. As such, there really isn’t much Fantasy value here, but I’m sure he’ll settle for having a place in the semifinal.
MID: Blaise Matuidi - Juventus - 1 game, 1 goal = 8 points
MID: Mohamed Salah - Liverpool - 1 game, 1 goal = 8 points
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Salah scored and Liverpool won. His goal against Manchester City was his 39th in all competitions and eighth in Europe this season. The Egyptian has now moved into second place in the Goal game behind only Cristiano Ronaldo. Regardless of who Liverpool draw for the next round, Salah will be a must own.
FOR: Mario Mandzukic - Juventus - 1 game, 2 goals = 12 points
Juventus fell a late penalty short of advancing past Real Madrid, but not for lack of trying by Mandzukic. His two goals helped them back into the match and goes into the catalogue of big match moments for the Croatian striker. Assuming he is back with Juventus next season, his Fantasy value would be limited as the majority of his minutes seem to come via injury or suspension to Gonzalo Higuain or Paulo Dybala.
FOR: Eden Dzeko - Roma - 1 game, 1 goal, 1 assist = 10 points
FOR: Roberto Firmino - Liverpool - 1 game, 1 goal = 7 points
