Champions League Team of the Round: Madueke leads Arsenal trio, Kounde delivers for Barca

Madueke starred for Arsenal against Club Brugge
Madueke starred for Arsenal against Club BruggeKURT DESPLENTER / BELGA MAG / BELGA VIA AFP / Flashscore

The final round of UEFA Champions League matches for the calendar year certainly didn't disappoint, with several of the world's best players delivering for their respective sides.

As usual, these are the players who made our best XI based on our very own internal ratings system.

Team of the Round
Team of the RoundFlashscore

Goalkeeper

David Raya (Arsenal) 8.4

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continued their 100% record in this year’s league phase with a convincing 3-0 triumph at Club Brugge.

While there were plenty of standout performances in attack, Raya was peerless between the sticks for the Gunners, making seven saves throughout the contest.

Defence

Jules Kounde (Barcelona) 8.9

Barcelona kept their hopes of a top-eight finish alive on Tuesday evening, with Kounde starring in a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Not only did the French full-back score both of his side’s goals in the space of three second-half minutes, but he also completed 92% of his passes and won all three of his attempted tackles.

Kounde's stats vs Frankfurt
Kounde's stats vs FrankfurtJUDIT CARTIEL / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP / Opta by StatsPerform

Cristian Romero (Tottenham) 8

Tottenham captain Romero was influential at both ends of the pitch for Thomas Frank's side in their 3-0 home win against Slavia Prague.

The Argentine's header deflected off David Zima for the game's opening goal, while he completed 88% of his passes and won all three of his ground duels.

Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City) 8.1

Manchester City earned a crucial 2-1 triumph over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, strengthening their position in the top eight.

Gvardiol was heavily involved in City's equaliser, and he also provided plenty of stability in defence, winning 75% of his ground duels and making two key tackles.

Midfield

Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta) 8.6

De Ketelaere inspired a stunning turnaround for high-flying Atalanta in their 2-1 home victory against Chelsea.

The Belgian set up Gianluca Scamacca for La Dea's leveller, before sealing the three points late on with a powerful near-post finish beyond Robert Sanchez.

Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich) 8.4

Karl once again played a starring role for Vincent Kompany's side, as second-placed Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Sporting CP 3-1.

Having seen a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, the 17-year-old German found the net with a superb strike midway through the second period, becoming the youngest player to score in three consecutive Champions League matches.

Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) 8.8

Summer signing Zubimendi has slotted seamlessly into Arsenal’s midfield this season, with the Spaniard impressing yet again in Arsenal’s emphatic victory against Club Brugge.

As well as registering a couple of assists for Noni Madueke’s brace, he also won two aerial duels and made two key interceptions during the match.

Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen) 8.4

Grimaldo's composed finish in the 88th minute salvaged an important point for Leverkusen in their 2-2 draw at home to Newcastle United.

It was a ninth goal of the season for the influential wide player, who also won 80% of his ground duels against Eddie Howe's men.

Attack

Noni Madueke (Arsenal) 9

The third Arsenal player to make our team is Madueke, with the Englishman following up his goal against Bayern Munich on Matchday 5 with a brilliant brace in Brugge.

The 23-year-old’s first was a spectacular strike from range, while he doubled his tally for the evening at the start of the second half with a well-taken header at the back post.

Madueke's stats vs Club Brugge
Madueke's stats vs Club BruggeNICOLAS TUCAT / AFP / Opta by StatsPerform

Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid) 8.6

Having been benched for Atletico Madrid’s previous two matches, Sorloth marked his return to the starting lineup with a superb all-round display in Tuesday’s 3-2 win at PSV.

The Norwegian set up strike partner Julian Alvarez for Atleti’s equaliser in the first half, before finding the net with a clinical close-range header in the second period.

Oscar Gloukh (Ajax) 8.6

Ajax finally secured their first points of the league phase campaign after twice coming from behind to see off the challenge of Qarabag in a six-goal thriller.

Gloukh was crucial to the Dutch side's comeback victory, with the Israeli winger scoring twice in the closing stages to continue his encouraging recent form.

Danny Clark
Danny ClarkFlashscore News

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