UEFA Champions League: 20 Best Players After the Quarter-Final 2nd Legs
Perhaps the second legs were unnecessary.
Every club with an advantage from the UEFA Champions League quarter-final's first legs proceeded to win their respective ties, but not without some level of stress.
Juventus had spells of trouble with Barcelona. Borussia Dortmund were occasionally within reach of AS Monaco. Without an away goal, Leicester City's huffing and puffing was not enough to eliminate Atletico Madrid. Bayern Munich were the most aggrieved of all parties, but Real Madrid capitalised on the German side's misfortune.
Left with two clubs from Madrid, one from Turin and one from the French Riviera, the UCL's last four has an ideal balance of defence, offence, veteran guile and youthful dynamism.
Before we reach the Champions League semi-finals, however, one piece of business remains from an enthralling (sometimes maddening) quartet of ties. All season, Bleacher Report has dissected player positions, attempting to find the best UCL players in their respective roles. As the competition shrinks and tension rises, though, the time has come to put everyone in the same boat—judging players simply on their performances during each leg, positions be forgotten.
No complicated formulas. No complicated grades. Just simply: Who were the 20 best footballers after that 90 minutes of football?
And after the quarter-finals' second legs, we have our second 20.
20. Filipe Luis, Atletico Madrid
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Since 2010, Filipe Luis has been quite possibly the most under-appreciated defender (certainly left-back) in Europe.
A consistent performer—whose diligence in attack and defence allows Atletico Madrid tactical wiggle room for offensive options like Antoine Griezmann—Luis proved his value once more against reigning Premier League champions Leicester City in the second leg of their quarter-final.
Assisting Saul Niguez's all-important away goal in the 26th minute and contributing defensively with three tackles and four clearances, the 31-year-old Brazilian was vital in holding Foxes manager Craig Shakespeare's side to one goal during their last stand in European football this season.
19. Benjamin Mendy, Monaco
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The source of much Borussia Dortmund frustration during the second leg, it felt like every meaningful AS Monaco attack involved the feet of left-back Benjamin Mendy.
Another of the club's young talents, the 22-year-old defender was the source of Kylian Mbappe's opening strike and made a pass to Thomas Lemar, whose subsequent cross into BVB's box found Radamel Falcao for Monaco's second goal.
Mendy is a known commodity in French football, with 200 senior appearances before his 23rd birthday. One wonders how long before Monaco get an offer they cannot refuse; there is, however, at least a Champions League semi-final to worry about before that could happen.
18. Mats Hummels, Bayern Munich
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It looked after the first period of extra time that Mats Hummels had played himself into shock.
The Germany international was a ball magnet inside Bayern Munich's 18-yard box. Making interceptions, clearances and blocks for large portions of the game, Hummels was always around.
Cast as purely a ball-playing centre-half, it makes sense because teams like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund on club level (and Germany on the international level), usually have a majority of possession. When they don't, however—as shown when Real Madrid and Bayern Munich split 120 minutes almost nearly evenly—the "ball-playing centre-half" looked comfortable simply being a defender.
Hummels' anticipation and awareness were imperative in the German champions holding on as long as they managed.
17. Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund
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Marco Reus did his best. The Borussia Dortmund man scored a goal, had three other shots saved, and was head coach Thomas Tuchel's primary attacking threat during the second leg.
What cannot be determined is how the events before the quarter-final's first leg damaged BVB's concentration levels and how much of that trauma went with them on their flight from Dortmund to Monaco.
Leading by example, Reus had those rousing aforementioned moments, but the men in yellow and black were overwhelmed by AS Monaco and seemed—over the course of two legs—not to be their complete selves.
Who could blame them?
Not this writer.
16. Luka Modric, Real Madrid
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Luka Modric was again solid in the second leg.
Nothing spectacular stood out when watching him versus Bayern Munich (in terms of goals or skills), but when evaluating the Croatia international's play, one cannot help but understand his worth. The player with the most completed passes, the 31-year-old metronome conducts the fluidity and pace of play.
When Bayern Munich lost Arturo Vidal, it was only a matter of time before Real Madrid's one-man advantage caused an overly aggressive outfit trouble. Modric's influence was vital and will continue to be, provided his club remain in Europe's premier cup competition.
15. Dani Alves, Juventus
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Dani Alves went back home.
Playing eight seasons and appearing nearly 400 times for Barcelona, the Brazilian right-back returned to the Nou Camp a member of Juventus' splendid defensive line and no doubt took great pride in his new club's performance.
Playing Barca twice in one week and keeping two clean sheets, what makes Alves such a weapon is his ability to relieve pressure. Finding space, making overlaps and maintaining an active work rate, the veteran defender showed why Barcelona letting him leave was not a wise decision.
The Catalans' loss was Juventus' gain.
14. Neymar, Barcelona
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The reason Barcelona were in the Champions League quarter-finals was a spectacular performance from Neymar against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16. If any player felt Barcelona could overturn their 3-0 deficit to Juventus, it seemed to be their Brazilian superstar.
Attempting 20 dribbles, completing 13 of them, the 25-year-old's tenacity was impressive. Players who try things understand they won't always work, but the willingness to take risks and make mistakes is an admirable trait.
Neymar's constant probing of Juventus untimely proved fruitless, but his desire and diligence should be the major takeaway.
13. Casemiro, Real Madrid
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An unsung hero for Real Madrid, Casemiro does manager Zinedine Zidane's grunt work.
Staying home to protect his centre-backs, the Brazilian's positioning gives the likes of Dani Carvajal and Marcelo license to maraud forward. Furthermore, Toni Kroos and Modric, while brilliant on a footballing level, don't always have the desire or willingness to chase lost causes and harass the opposition's midfield.
Casemiro does.
Some would argue the 25-year-old should have been sent off against Bayern Munich during the second leg, but the aggression he shows is a necessary component for Real Madrid's success.
12. Miralem Pjanic, Juventus
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Losing Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba in the space of two summers, Juventus have simply reloaded with midfield talent.
Sami Khedira and Miralem Pjanic played outstandingly against Barcelona, the latter of those two more so.
Known mostly for his supreme technical gifts, Pjanic's hustle to run, tackle and be a nuisance was commendable. A great blend of silk and steel, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international made himself useful in more than one facet of the game—playing at European football's highest level, that dualistic quality is invaluable.
11. Diego Godin, Atletico Madrid
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It feels like we've been here before. Atletico Madrid are a near impenetrable squad for 180 minutes, they eventually march their way to a Champions League final and lose (most likely to Real Madrid).
Surely that cannot happen three times, and if centre-back Diego Godin has anything to say about it—judging by his game against Leicester City in the second leg—this could be Atleti's year.
With four interceptions, winning nine aerial duels and making 19 clearances, Godin was massive at the back for the Liga outfit. Jamie Vardy breached his back line once, but that goal was not enough to end Atletico Madrid's quest for redemption.
10. Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich
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Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer made 16 saves in the Champions League quarter-finals. Making 10 saves in the first leg and another six at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, the Germany international almost single-handedly kept Bayern afloat.
Turning anticipation into offence, at times Neuer's passing was Munich's best form of build-up play.
Once the side went down to 10 men, though, the writing was on the proverbial wall. Even still, two of Madrid's goals were offside. Were those goals correctly disallowed, Bayern Munich's No. 1 might have done enough to keep his club in the competition.
Suffering a possible season-ending injury during the match, per BBC Sport, Neuer's off-season could be spent pondering what might have been.
9. Radamel Falcao, Monaco
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Who else wants to admit they thought Radamel Falcao was finished?
Scoring his 25th goal of the current campaign for AS Monaco (and his fifth in Europe) against Borussia Dortmund, it has long been time to accept the 31-year-old has petrol left in his tank.
Falcao has always possessed an instinctual 18-yard box prowess; the only question mark surrounding that skill was whether his body would allow him to explode and get in dangerous positions; if the quarter-final second leg was any evidence, the centre-forward still has enough explosion (knee issues and all) to beat defenders and be clinical.
It would appear leopards never change their spots, and "El Tigre" hasn't yet changed his stripes.
8. Saul Niguez, Atletico Madrid
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It took Saul Niguez 26 minutes to drown Leicester City's fairy tale.
Without scoring an away goal at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, the Foxes could not afford to let Atletico Madrid score first; but they did, and the tie was essentially over from that point.
Saul has been Atletico's standout performer for the past two knockout ties, scoring away goals in each. Still a developing midfielder, the Spaniard has every quality one looks for at his position. The 22-year-old's ability to score, pass and relieve pressure with his dribbling and all-round technical ability make him crucial to how manager Diego Simeone sets up his side.
7. Jose Gimenez, Atletico Madrid
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Jose Gimenez was a beast against Leicester City.
His stats were magnificent: five tackles, seven interceptions, 12 aerial duels won and 16 clearances. Simply put, the 22-year-old was everywhere. Unfortunately, his attackers were not able to capitalise more on his midfield dominance. Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco failed to gain a foothold in the match, but their Uruguayan team-mate (who is a preferred centre-back) gave them every opportunity.
Likely to play an opulent attacking side in the semi-final—either Real Madrid or AS Monaco—manager Diego Simeone will probably continue playing his young centre-back in a slightly advanced position.
6. Kylian Mbappe, Monaco
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Once again, Kylian Mbappe showed why many rate him as the best teenager in world football and why Europe's top clubs are sniffing around the Stade Louis II for his signature.
The 18-year-old scored two goals in the first leg versus Borussia Dortmund, and then three minutes into their second encounter had his third goal of the quarter-finals. Mbappe's poacher instincts were tested after a Benjamin Mendy strike was blocked by BVB goalkeeper Roman Burki. The centre-forward latched onto the rebound and coolly slotted home Monaco's early advantage.
Now into the Champions League semi-finals, they have an even larger stage for the world to get a greater glimpse of what Ligue 1 and Monaco supporters have been viewing all campaign: a rising star's breakout season.
5. Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus
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The heart of manager Massimiliano Allegri's defence, Giorgio Chiellini offered another masterful performance as Juventus' anchor versus Barcelona. Picking up where the first leg ended, the 32-year-old centre-back thwarted nearly every attack Luis Enrique's men aimed in his direction.
Shutting Barca out over two legs in the quarter-finals, in tandem with fellow centre-back Leonardo Bonucci and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Chiellini showed why many regard him as one of the best pure defenders in European football, handling the vaunted front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar with aplomb.
What remains is taking care of either the current Ligue 1 leaders, the current La Liga leaders or last season's UCL runners-up (then winning a final in Cardiff).
4. Thomas Lemar, Monaco
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It seems during any given AS Monaco match, one of their young stars will have a world-class performance. Thomas Lemar was the best of those young talents during the second leg of Monaco's quarter-final tie with Borussia Dortmund.
The 21-year-old winger was the catalyst for many of Les Monegasques penetrating, devastating attacks—registering an assist on Monaco's second goal and putting in another cross (albeit deflected) for their third goal.
In a team of Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Tiemoue Bakayoko and countless others, Lemar sometimes gets forgotten in the breath of up-and-coming talent manager Leonardo Jardim has at his disposal; more headlining performances like this one, though, and the burgeoning Frenchman could take precedence.
3. Leonardo Bonucci, Juventus
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Earlier this season, Juventus manager Allegri held Leonardo Bonucci out of his squad. The bold move seems to have worked.
In recent weeks, the Italy international has been his customary world-class self, and that form culminated with a total centre-backing performance against Barcelona. Known as arguably Europe's best ball-playing centre-half, the 29-year-old displayed his technical acumen at the Nou Camp, but it was primarily his positional sense and anticipation that were used in halting the Catalans' normally potent attack.
Now in the last four, Juventus are three wins away from their club's first European crown since 1995/96. If Bonucci and his fellow defensive partners play like they did in Barcelona, they have one hand on the big-eared cup.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
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Cristiano Ronaldo took home a match ball, but not without some controversy.
Real Madrid's goalscorer extraordinaire got himself on the scoresheet three times against Bayern Munich during the second leg. His first was trademark Cristiano. Using sublime movement, he beat his defender with cunning and headed home into the corner.
The next two were dubious.
Ronaldo's second was blatantly offside, his third more covert but still offside. As the Portuguese superstar is neither referee nor linesman, one cannot blame him. If anything, his fortuitous performance could spark further debate into expanding video technology; the 32-year-old won't be worried about that, though.
History shows he got his goals—and Real Madrid into a Champions League semi-final as a consequence.
1. Marcelo, Real Madrid
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When Cristiano Ronaldo scores a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in a Champions League quarter-final and is not the man of the match (and not No. 1 in this ranking), surely something fantastic happened.
Marcelo is what happened.
The Brazilian left-back—who disrespects the notion of being a traditional defender by going on spectacular offensive excursions—gave a stellar (almost alien) performance over 120 minutes for Real Madrid versus the Bundesliga champions of the last four seasons.
Creating eight chances, completing nine dribbles, registering one assist and clearing a goal-bound shot off goalkeeper Keylor Navas' line, Marcelo enjoyed one of the best games a left-back has ever had under Champions League floodlights.
Stats and transfer fees per WhoScored.com, Transfermarkt and Soccerbase where not noted.
