Champions League Player Rankings After Matchday 4
Welcome to the fourth edition of our UEFA Champions League player rankings, in which we order the competition's top 20 players so far.
The criteria is simple: We pick the 20 best players on the basis of form in European games only. Now, with four weeks under our belts, form is beginning to take shape and we've got some "regulars" who've been superb throughout the opening stages.
But we have a new No. 1! Despite an assist, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's crown has been stripped away. Take a look and see if you agree with our selections. If not, let us know in the comments section below.
Dropping out
1 of 21
Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich
Alejandro "Chori" Dominguez, Olympiakos
Lukasz Piszczek, Borussia Dortmund
20. Marcelo, Real Madrid
2 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Marcelo vs. Javi Manquillo wasn't exactly fair, was it?
The seasoned, UEFA Champions League-winning veteran made light work of the relative rookie, pounding the left flank and finding vast swathes of space to torture Liverpool with. His assist, a cross for Karim Benzema, was absolutely superb.
19. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
3 of 21
Last Week: 15
Differential: -4
It was a surprise to see Cristiano Ronaldo fail to find the back of the net against Liverpool—lord knows, he had 10 attempts. It was especially surprising considering the white-hot goal-scoring form Ronaldo has been in to start the season.
He was a consistent thorn in the Reds' side in space and ran menacingly at the centre-backs, but overall, a slightly blunted performance from the Portuguese extraordinaire.
18. Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund
4 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Marco Reus was fantastic against Galatasaray, netting the opening goal in a superb 4-1 victory. Unlike many of his Dortmund colleagues, Reus shows his best form on both the domestic and continential stages with consistency.
If he can put his recent injury woes behind him, he can be a key figure in leading BVB out of the deep hole they're in on the Bundesliga front, while spearheading a motivated European challenge at the same time.
17. Nani, Sporting
5 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Since Nani returned to Portugal, he's been fantastic. Sporting are within a shout of qualifying for the round of 16 in a tough group, and a major part of that push falls on his shoulders.
A classic, tricky playmaker who simply needs a little bit of love, Nani's one-goal, one-assist showing on Wednesday helped Los Leones mount a comeback to beat Schalke 04 in style.
16. Thomas Muller, Bayern Munich
6 of 21
Last Week: 10
Differential: -6
Thomas Muller was rested for Bayern Munich's 2-0 defeat of Roma on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola has such immense squad depth, he can dominate Italy's finest without his best utility attacking weapon.
Muller still remains one of the best performers in the Champions League based on Bayern's previous games, but he won't stay in the top 20 for long if he doesn't get more time on the pitch.
15. Gervinho, Roma
7 of 21
Last Week: 9
Differential: -6
Gervinho entered the fray as a late, late substitute against Bayern Munich with the game already iced at 2-0. The Ivorian was unable to make an impact and was beaten to a starting spot by Alessandro Florenzi.
Like Muller, Gervinho will need more minutes in Matchday 5 if he is to remain in the top 20 European performers.
14. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
8 of 21
Last Week: 4
Differential: -10
For perhaps the first time this season, Cesc Fabregas looked a little off the ball and, dare we say, a little lazy against NK Maribor.
The midfield maestro failed to provide the impact Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic did, didn't control the game as he usually does and failed to notch a famous assist.
13. Ciro Immobile, Borussia Dortmund
9 of 21
Last Week: 14
Differential: +1
Ciro Immobile started on the bench for Borussia Dortmund against Galatasaray, but made the most of his 19 minutes on the pitch by grabbing a goal.
He scored three minutes after coming on for Marco Reus—also a goalscorer—to remind his manager, Jurgen Klopp, of his efficiency in front of goal. Luckily for him, and perhaps most important of all, he doesn't slip in our power rankings.
12. Koke, Atletico Madrid
10 of 21
Last Week: 16
Differential: +4
Atletico Madrid have won three straight in the UEFA Champions League, and Koke's creativity is a huge part of that. Having rejected a move to Barcelona this summer to further his development at the Vicente Calderon, he's undoubtedly become the key attacking cog in midfield for Diego Simeone.
In four European games this season, the Spaniard has two goals and four assists.
11. Lucas Moura, Paris Saint-Germain
11 of 21
Last Week: 11
Differential: -
Lucas Moura and Eden Hazard have one very distinct thing in common: Even if they don't directly impact a game's result, they will happily dribble an opposing full-back into knots if required.
Nicholas Ioannou was the poor chap tasked with containing him for APOEL Nicosia on Wednesday, and no, he didn't exactly succeed. Per WhoScored, he was beaten eight times.
10. Yacine Brahimi, FC Porto
12 of 21
Last Week: 13
Differential: +3
FC Porto fans are currently wondering just exactly how much they're going to sell Yacine Brahimi for—after all, it's practically an inevitability—and the value right now is likely north of €30 million.
The Algerian used the 2014 FIFA World Cup to impress the world and that form has translated to Champions League level. His one-goal, one-assist performance led the Dragoes past Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
9. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
13 of 21
Last Week: 12
Differential: +3
Nemanja Matic was in fine form again on Wednesday against NK Maribor, tackling everything that moved in midfield and scoring the only goal in Chelsea's performance.
The tap-in was a true vulture—he simply guided John Terry's goal-bound header into the net—but it capped a wonderful performance in which he really stood out.
8. Luiz Adriano, Shakhtar Dontesk
14 of 21
Last Week: 19
Differential: +11
If you're tallying them up, make it eight goals in two games against BATE Borisov for Luiz Adriano. The Shakhtar Donetsk man just loves playing against the Belarusian outfit.
They were all pretty basic strikes, but his clinical nature in front of goal has allowed the Waxtap to move into a commanding position in Group H. They just need a draw against Athletic Bilbao to ensure passage to the round of 16.
7. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
15 of 21
Last Week: 8
Differential: +1
Eden Hazard stands tough to gauge this week. He was absolutely irresistible on the ball against Maribor, torturing the full-backs with every touch, but he missed a one vs. one opportunity and a penalty.
The fact that he earned the spot-kick won't matter, as the Belgian will be smarting due to his excellent record from 12 yards.
6. Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
16 of 21
Last Week: 7
Differential: +1
Karim Benzema netted the only goal of the game against Liverpool, as Real Madrid cruised to a 1-0 victory. Marcelo sent a low ball in and an instinctive finish was enough to beat Simon Mignolet, who'd kept his side in the game up until that point with a strong set of saves.
That goal takes his tally of goals to five after just three starts, making him more efficient than Cristiano Ronaldo (three) in front of the net in Europe so far.
5. Lionel Messi, Barcelona
17 of 21
Last Week: 5
Differential: -
Lionel Messi equaled Raul Gonzalez's record of 71 Champions League goals with a brace against Ajax. Surprisingly, one came via a looping header that he won in an aerial challenge against a defender!
It was far from a perfect performance for Barcelona and Luis Enrique, and not even Messi played his best football, but you can't argue with that end product.
4. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Borussia Dortmund
18 of 21
Last Week: 1
Differential: -3
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led the line for Borussia Dortmund in yet another UEFA Champions League victory. He didn't score this week, but he did grab an assist as his side beat Galatasaray with ease.
The 4-1 scoreline, in addition to Arsenal's collapse against Anderlecht, means BVB are guaranteed top spot in their group and can begin resting players for the round of 16.
3. Jackson Martinez, FC Porto
19 of 21
Last Week: 3
Differential: -
Jackson Martinez tapped a ludicrously easy goal home as FC Porto beat Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday evening, taking time to control the ball on the line before firing home.
The Dragons bested their Spanish opponents with ease—largely due to Yacine Brahimi torturing the Lions' right side—and Martinez continued his impressive streak.
2. Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Borussia Dortmund
20 of 21
Last Week: 6
Differential: +4
Sokratis Papastathopoulos is on fire in the UEFA Champions League. His excellent performances at the heart of Borussia Dortmund's defensive line have kept the club in winning positions all season.
Against Galatasaray, he scored his first European goal of the season and hit the woodwork with another effort. Is there anything this man cannot do?
1. Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich
21 of 21
Last Week: 2
Differential: +1
Philipp Lahm had a fairly easy night's work against Roma on Wednesday, ghosting around in midfield and doing the simple stuff well.
With Bayern Munich enjoying just over 70 percent of the possession, per WhoScored, the German was rarely tested after the Giallorossi succumbed to Franck Ribery's goal in the first half.
All statistics are courtesy of WhoScored.com.
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