UEFA Team of the Week released: Yamal and Rice feature with nine others

The team of the week for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg has been released, with Declan Rice, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal among the best 11 stars seen in midweek.

In goal is Inter’s Yann Sommer, who impressed with six saves and his role in the late winner against Bayern, launching the move with a precise throw to Nicolò Barella.

Barella also makes the XI after assisting the winner away from home against Bayern at the Allianz Arena.

The Italian midfielder balanced 11 line-breaking passes and made several recoveries in the first-leg.

Arsenal dominated defensively against Real Madrid and had two stars in Jurriën Timber and William Saliba playing key roles in shutting out Real Madrid.

The two young men form the right-hand side of defence, after an impressive performance that kept Madrid’s electrifying attacking trio at bay.

Surely, one of the biggest names in midweek was Declan Rice.

Rice scored the first two free kicks of his career in the space of 10 minutes to create a memorable night in London for the Gunners against Real Madrid.

He will be aiming to replicate a similar performance next week when Arsenal travel away from home to Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu after winning the MVP in the first-leg.

Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni also earned Player of the Match against Bayern and makes the list for his calm progression and crucial interventions at the back.

Joining Bastoni for the left side of defense is Paris’ dominant fullback Nuno Mendes.

Mendes scored late to extend PSG’s tally to three against Aston Villa in France, while making 14 recoveries in the match.

Another Paris man in the Team of the week was Portuguese midfielder Vitinha.

Vitinha completed 97% of his 151 passes and directed the play for Luis Enrique’s side in their convincing victory over Villa at the Parc des Princes.

The last Parisian on the list is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who dazzled with a magical goal for his side in the early minutes of the second half against Villa.

Kvaratskhelia’s rooftop finish was dedicated in honor of the great Diego Maradona, who had an influence on him during his playing days at Napoli.

For Barcelona, it was the duo separated by about two decades in Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal to complete the XI of the week.

Lewandowski grabbed two goals against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night and was adjudged MVP, while Yamal became the youngest player to score four goals in the Champions League before age 18.

Yamal created two of Barca’s goals and finished their fourth on the night to cap off a convincing win for Hansi Flick’s side.

It was surely a week of elite performances across Europe’s top clubs, and next week will decide the next destination of each of these players in the Team of the Week.