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Sports Mole's Champions League Team of the Week: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Serhou Guirassy

Sports Mole selects its Champions League Team of the Week from the second legs of the quarter-finals, including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Serhou Guirassy.

Arsenal claimed the biggest scalp in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the Gunners dumping holders Real Madrid out of the competition courtesy of a 5-1 aggregate success.

Mikel Arteta's side were 2-1 winners at Bernabeu on Wednesday night in the second leg of their last-eight clash, with the North London team breezing their way into the semi-finals, where they will take on Paris Saint-Germain.

The French champions had a scare, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa in the second leg of their quarter-final, but Luis Enrique's team ultimately triumphed 5-4 on aggregate to book their spot in the final four.

Barcelona are also through, beating Borussia Dortmund 5-3 on aggregate despite suffering a 3-1 defeat to German giants in the second leg of their last-eight fixture on Tuesday night.

Inter Milan will be Barcelona's opponents, as the Italian team managed to beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate courtesy of a 2-2 draw in the second leg of their quarter-final fixture on Wednesday evening.

Here, Sports Mole selects its Champions League Team of the Week from the second legs of the Champions League quarter-finals, and there were a number of excellent performers once again.


DEFENCE

Bayern Munich centre-back Eric Dier on April 16, 2025© Imago

The goalkeepers did not exactly shine in the second legs of the quarter-finals, so it was a tough decision, but Dortmund's Gregor Kobel gets the nod over Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois, with those two proving to be the most impressive between the sticks.

Kobel was a calming presence for BVB in their impressive second-leg win over Barcelona, and the 27-year-old can certainly be pleased with his performance in Germany on Tuesday night.

Achraf Hakimi was a part of a PSG defence that conceded three times to Villa, but the 26-year-old got his name on the scoresheet at Villa Park, once again showing his class in the final third, and he was key to his team advancing to the semi-finals.

Benjamin Pavard gets the nod on the opposite side, with the defender also on the scoresheet in Inter's 2-2 draw with Bayern; Pavard won two aerial duels, while he was also calm and composed in possession of the ball.

Eric Dier is also included due to his strong performance for Bayern against Inter; the England international found the back of the net on Wednesday, while he won six aerial duels and finished with a pass success rate of 88%.

The defence is completed by Ezri Konsa, with the 27-year-old excellent for Villa against PSG; the England international was on the scoresheet on Tuesday, while he was almost pass perfect, completing 54 of his 58 passes during a brilliant display.


MIDFIELD

Arsenal's Declan Rice in action against Real Madrid on April 16, 2025© Imago

Declan Rice scored two wonderful free kicks in the first leg against Real Madrid, but there is a strong argument that his performance on Wednesday night was even better, with the Englishman stunning in central midfield.

The 26-year-old covered every blade of grass at Bernabeu, while he was sensational in possession, boasting a pass success rate of 96%, as he overshadowed international teammate Jude Bellingham in the quarter-finals.

Mikel Merino played as a false nine against Real Madrid, but for the purposes of this side, he features in midfield; the Spain international set up both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to score at Bernabeu, and he was a key contributor for the Gunners.

There is also a spot in midfield for Pascal Gross, who was sensational in Dortmund's win over Barcelona; the 33-year-old made three tackles during an all-action performance, while he completed 45 of his 57 passes.


ATTACK

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka on April 16, 2025© Imago

Bukayo Saka missed an early penalty against Real Madrid, but he had the last laugh, finding the back of the net in the second period to send the Gunners ahead, and his overall performance was wonderful, showing an immense level of composure for a player of 23.

There also had to be a spot for Lautaro Martinez, who was on the scoresheet for Inter in their 2-2 draw with Bayern; the 27-year-old was a constant threat to the Bundesliga giants with his movement, and he played a vital role in his side advancing to the semi-finals.

The final position in the XI is awarded to Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy, who struck a wonderful treble against Barcelona on Tuesday night; the 29-year-old was too much for the Catalan giants to handle, while he also finished with a pass success rate of 92%.


SPORTS MOLE'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK

CL TOTW QF SECOND LEGS

Sports Mole's Champions League Team of the Week (4-3-3): Kobel (BVB); Hakimi (PSG), Dier (Bayern), Konsa (Villa), Pavard (Inter); Merino (Arsenal), Rice (Arsenal), Gross (BVB); Saka (Arsenal), L Martinez (Inter), Guirassy (BVB)


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