Champions League Team of the Week: Harry Maguire, Andre Onana and Warren Zaire-Emery included

Cameron Smith

• 26 Oct 2023 07:00 CDT
• 7 min read

The 2023-24 Champions League group stages have officially reached the halfway point after a memorable third round of fixtures.

Andre Onana and Harry Maguire were the heroes as Manchester United survived a late penalty scare to beat Copenhagen 1-0, Paris Saint-Germain ran out 3-0 winners over Milan, and Celtic held Atletico Madrid to a 2-2 draw after twice going in front.

There were some standout individual performances during the third round of group stages matches, but who has been included in FootballTransfers’ Champions League Team of the Week?

READ MORE: Champions League top scorers 2023/24 - Two Premier League stars share lead

GK - Andre Onana (Man Utd)

Andre Onana has experienced what it’s like to play for arguably the biggest club in England and fail to deliver.

The Cameroon shot-stopper has felt the full wrath of media scrutiny after a string of errors following his summer move from Inter Milan, but he stepped up big time when it mattered most against Copenhagen.

After the Danish side were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time, Onana composed himself and produced a brilliant save to deny Jordan Larsson’s spot kick with the final touch of the game. A heroic moment that may end up being the reason Man Utd qualify for the knockout stages.

READ MORE: Who has the most valuable squad in the 2023-24 Champions League?

RB - Przemyslaw Frankowski (Lens)

Qualification for the last-16 remains in Lens’ hands after they picked up a 1-1 draw at home to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night.

Franck Haise’s side limited PSV to just two shots on target and 0.48 xG all night in an impressive defensive display that saw right-wing-back Przemyslaw Frankowski excel.

The Polish international was a constant threat down the right flank and provided the crucial assist for Elye Wahi’s second-half equaliser with a wonderful cross into the penalty area.

CB - Harry Maguire (Man Utd)

Much like Onana, Harry Maguire has also been dealt a tough hand with regards to criticism in recent times, but the England international has proven his worth this week.

After a ‘Man of the Match’ performance against Sheffield United on Saturday, Maguire continued his form with the winning goal versus Copenhagen.

It means Man Utd have now won 16 of their last 17 matches in which Maguire has started, as his value to the Red Devils becomes ever clearer.

CB - Nico Schlotterbeck (Dortmund)

Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels dealt with a raucous St James Park’ crowd to seal a crucial 1-0 win over Newcastle United and ensure Dortmund are now second in Group F.

Gregor Kobel was also excellent in between the sticks, but Onana’s place in the team was unquestionable after his penalty save.

As for Schlotterbeck, his passing range caught the eye again as he consistently broke Newcastle’s press with incisive passes from centre-back, while he played a key role in the only goal of the game.

He brilliantly tackled Anthony Gordon on the halfway line before sprinting forward to provide an overlapping run akin to a left winger. When found by Marcel Sabitzer, Schlotterbeck cut the ball back for the onrushing Felix Nmecha to score his first Champions League goal.

LB - Alphonso Davies (Bayern)

Bayern’s 3-1 win over Galatasaray was a very strange game. Thomas Tuchel’s side looked so dangerous on the counter-attack, but consistently made the wrong decision when presented with a chance in the final-third.

On the other hand, Galatasaray were a threat going forward but weren’t able to make their dominance on the ball count.

Either way, Alphonso Davies was impressive once more at left-back, with his driving runs forward frequently ensuring Bayern were able to advance up the pitch.

Galatasaray often attacked down their right wing, but Davies did well to deal with a double team of Tete and Sacha Boey, with very little help from Leroy Sane.

CM - Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)

Eduardo Camvinga’s performance in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Braga was arguably his best in a Los Blancos shirt.

Carlo Ancelotti was quick to praise the young Frenchman after the game and for good reason. Camavinga mopped up everything in central midfield, making a huge seven tackles as well as winning four fouls.

His pass accuracy also stood at 97% as Camavinga combined defensive security with calmness on the ball. Jude Bellingham may have received the headlines for yet another goal, but it was Camavinga who stood out more versus Braga.

CM - Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)

Warren Zaire-Emery became the youngest player in Champions League history to register multiple assists in one game against Milan as the 17-year-old ran the show at the Parc des Princes.

For Kylian Mbappe’s opener, he received the ball on the half turn and burst past Tijjani Reijnders, despite being clearly fouled, with immense athleticism before setting up his countryman to score PSG’s first.

Then, a brilliant feint saw him evade Yacine Adli down the right and he pulled the ball back for Kang-in Lee to score his first PSG goal.

It was an exceptional performance from a mesmerising talent.

CM - Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)

For all the talk about Lamine Yamal (and recently Marc Guiu), Fermin Lopez has snuck somewhat under the radar at Barcelona.

Xavi clearly trusts the young midfielder and he shone in their 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday evening.

Lopez frequently made late third-man runs and he was almost never tracked by an opposing player. One run led to Ferran Torres’ opener, while Lopez then scored Barcelona’s second with a thunderous strike that clipped the inside of the post before nestling in the far corner.

It was a great display from another jewel of La Masia.

RW - Evanilson (Porto)

With Porto trailing 1-0 against Royal Antwerp, manager Sergio Conceicao turned to Evanilson after Wendell’s 44th minute injury. Less than one minute after the interval, the Brazilian equalised with a neat finish.

He then added his second (and Porto’s third) after 69 minutes before completing his hat-trick in the 84th minute. Porto are now in the driving seat to finish second in Group H and Evanilson is to thank.

ST - Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord)

Santiago Gimenez missed Feyenoord’s opening two Champions League group stage matches through suspension, but he returned for their win over Lazio and marked his debut in the competition with a brace.

His first goal was sublime as he received a Mats Wieffer pass on the half-turn and spun Nicolo Casale before placing the ball into the bottom corner with his left-foot. Gimenez then added his second in the 74th minute with a tap-in from inside the six-yard box after an Ivan Provedel save.

He also had another effort ruled out by VAR after initially being given.

The Mexican has now scored 15 goals in 10 matches in the Eredivisie and Champions League this season.

LW - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks back to his best at Napoli and he was on form as they narrowly beat Union Berlin 1-0 on Tuesday.

The Georgian was at the heart of everything good about Napoli’s performance and he provided the decisive assist for Giacomo Raspadori to score the only goal of the game.

He brushed off Christopher Trimmel down the left flank, reached the byline and cut the ball back for Raspadori to sweep home at the near post.

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