THIBAUT COURTOIS (CHELSEA): Perhaps the one Chelsea player who was more or less blameless following their CL exit at the hands of PSG, Courtois made some excellent saves in the second leg and couldn’t be faulted for either goal.
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus): Borussia Dortmund are a formidable side at home but Juventus completely stifled them last night, and Chiellini was an integral part of a resolute defence that left with a 3-0 win.
David Luiz (PSG): Scored a superb bullet header and showed the type of courage and determination that he is sometimes accused of lacking, while he couldn’t be faulted for either of Chelsea’s goals.
Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich): Proved influential at both ends against Shakhtar, as a goal and a clean sheet represented an excellent night’s work for the German international.
Mario Suarez (Atletico): The 28-year-old defensive midfielder scored the all-important goal that brought the game to extra-time against Leverkusen, and also confidently converted a penalty thereafter, capping a fine display in which he consistently protected the backline.
Casemiro (Porto): Scored his side’s third goal against Basel, and produced a wonderful, all-action display at the heart of Porto’s midfield.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich): The 30-year-old showed his experience against Shakhtar with another dominant midfield performance as he orchestrated Bayern’s emphatic win.
Yacine Brahimi (Porto): Another who shone as Porto outclassed Basel, Brahimi put Porto in front against Basel with a beautifully executed free-kick, and generally proved a menace in attack.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona): He missed a penalty and a couple of good chances but Messi was in total control of the two legs against Man City. His assist at the Nou Camp was particularly beautiful.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid): While many of his teammates seemed to wilt, Ronaldo appeared unaffected by this unexpected group slump, as his well-taken record-breaking brace rescued his side from an embarrassing Champions League exit.
Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich): After a difficult spell, Müller has looked back to his best recently, and the Shakhtar game was no exception, as his two goals demonstrated how clinical the 25-year-old World Cup winner can be when opportunities arise.
Subs: Christian Fuchs (Schalke), Mesut Özil (Arsenal), Max Meyer (Schalke), Franck Ribery (Bayern), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Barcelona), Carlos Tevez (Juventus).
Formation (3-4-3)
Courtois (GK)
Chiellini (RCB) Luiz (CB) Boateng (LCB)
Suarez (DM)
Casemiro (CM) Schweinsteiger (CM)
Brahimi (AM)
Müller (RCF) Ronaldo (CF) Messi (LCF)
