Champions League Team of the Round: Kvaratskhelia and Diaz star after thrilling displays

Kvaratskhelia was incredible for PSG
Kvaratskhelia was incredible for PSGElyxandro Cegarra / PsnewZ / Bestimage / Profimedia / Flashscore

Arsenal and PSG are the two UEFA Champions League finalists. Using Flashscore's internal ratings system and selecting players who played at least 60 minutes in their side's two legs, we created our Team of the Round for the semi-finals.

Check out our team below:

The best XI of the two semi-finals
The best XI of the two semi-finalsFlashscore

Goalkeeper

David Raya (Arsenal) 7.5

The fact that Arsenal secured the services of David Raya around two years ago must be seen retrospectively as a real transfer coup. The 30-year-old Spaniard has long been regarded by experts as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

He delivered a strong performance in the first leg against Atletico Madrid (1-1) and the second leg (1-0). With a total of five saves, he played a major part in the Gunners' progression to the final.

Raya radiates absolute security
Raya radiates absolute securityREUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Defence

William Saliba (Arsenal) 6.7

The fact that Arsenal can dream of winning both the Premier League and the Champions League is due in particular to their incredibly well-organised defence. William Saliba has played a big part in that.

The 25-year-old Frenchman is quick, physically strong, has leadership qualities, and is superb with the ball at his feet.

Saliba stats vs Atletico Madrid in the second leg
Saliba stats vs Atletico Madrid in the second legJose Breton/NurPhoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia / Opta by StatsPerform

Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) 7.0

Dayot Upamecano has made a huge leap forward this season and has finally established himself as a world-class player. The fact that the Frenchman has already extended his contract in Munich until 2030 is incredibly important from Bayern's point of view.

Although he was unable to prevent the German record champions' semi-final exit, he often defused Ousmane Dembele with exemplary tackling.

Upamecano also scored in the first leg
Upamecano also scored in the first legREUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich) 6.9

The spotlight at Bayern usually belongs to players other than Josip Stanisic. But coach Vincent Kompany put his trust in the Croatian against PSG in both the first leg of the 5-4 defeat and the second leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

As a full-back, he did have problems with his quick opponents in some situations - but he performed particularly well in the game in Munich, as evidenced by 12 ball recoveries.

Midfield

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) 7.1

With his winning goal in the second leg, home-grown Bukayo Saka fired his beloved club into the final.

"It's just wonderful - you can see what it means to us, what it means to the fans. We're all so happy," said the 24-year-old after the final whistle against Atlético.

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) 7.8

Joshua Kimmich's qualities are undisputed. Against PSG, the 31-year-old achieved a pass rate of 91 per cent in both the first leg and the second leg.

After the final whistle, he showed his qualities as a leader by immediately looking to the future."We're on our way," said Kimmich. "We'll be back on the attack next season."

Declan Rice (Arsenal) 7.4

The fact that Arsenal won the second leg against Atletico 1-0 to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years is largely thanks to Declan Rice. The Gunners signed him in the summer of 2023 for a mega transfer fee of €122 million, which has paid off in every respect.

On Tuesday, 90 per cent of his passes reached his teammates, and Rice also made two key passes.

Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich) 8.5

In the legendary first leg, Luis Diaz caused major problems for the PSG defence with his pacey dribbles. And on Wednesday, the Colombian was once again the main source of danger for Bayern.

However, the defending champions managed to close down the space for the South American, which is why none of his attempts ended in a goal celebration on Wednesday.

Diaz stats vs PSG in the first leg
Diaz stats vs PSG in the first legIbrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia / Opta by StatsPerform

Attack

Ousmane Dembele (PSG) 7.8

The Ballon d'Or winner was unstoppable against Bayern. The 28-year-old winger scored a brace in the first leg, while also scoring the all-important opener in the second leg.

Dembele is a superstar
Dembele is a superstarREUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) 8.3

Harry Kane scored the late equaliser in the second leg against PSG, but unfortunately for him, it didn't mean much. His 14th Champions League goal of the season came too late, but the 32-year-old Englishman still put in another exceptionally good performance. 

In the first leg, he also registered a goal and a stunning assist.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG) 8.6

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is probably the biggest factor in the Parisians' success. He proved that in the first leg against Bayern, where he scored a brace.

In the second leg, the Georgian had four key passes, seven successful dribbles and five shots of his own. In doing so, he repeatedly provided important relief against Bayern's waves of pressure. Is a real superstar slowly maturing here?

Kvaratskhelia stats vs Bayern in the second leg
Kvaratskhelia stats vs Bayern in the second legElyxandro Cegarra / PsnewZ / Bestimage / Profimedia / Opta by StatsPerform

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