Another great round of group stage action is now in the books. There were plenty of surprises like Basel defeating Manchester United, Manchester City being held to just one goal, and Igor Akinfeev finally keeping a Champions League clean sheet - a feat which earned himself a spot in our Goal Team of the Week alongside the other 10 players listed below.
GK: Igor Akinfeev - CSKA Moscow - 1 Game, 4 Saves, 1 Clean Sheet = 9 Points
Akinfeev did something against Benfica that he hadn’t done in his last 43 Champions League appearances: keep a clean sheet. Obviously you shouldn’t be rushing to add him to your Fantasy team, but congratulations are certainly in order for the Russian goalkeeper.
DF: Nacho - Real Madrid - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Clean Sheet = 14 Points
Keeping a clean sheet against group minnows APOEL will not come as a shock to many, but they are the only opponent that Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet against in the Champions League this season. As such, Nacho hasn’t exactly been racking up the Fantasy points, until wednesday that is when he notched the clubs’ third of six goals.
DF: Georgy Shchennikov - CSKA Moscow - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Clean Sheet = 14 Points
DF: Michael Lang - Basel - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Clean Sheet = 14 Points
MF: Willian - Chelsea - 1 Game, 2 Goals, 2 Assists = 20 Points
Chelsea fans must surely be asking themselves where this Willian has been in the Premier League all season. The Brazilian’s two goals and two assists against Qarabag were a whole two goals and one assist more than he’s managed domestically all season. However, you may want to hold off on adding him to your team though as he’s blanked against everyone else in the group.
MF: Eden Hazard - Chelsea - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Assist = 11 Points
MF: Sadio Mane - Liverpool - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Assist = 11 Points
MF: Marco Verratti – PSG – 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Assist = 11 Points
FWD: Roberto Firmino - Liverpool - 1 Game, 2 Goals, 1 Assist = 15 Points
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Like Willian, it seems Firmino has been saving his best performances for the continent. The latter now sits with the seventh most points (38) in the Goal Champions League game while landing 39th in the Premier League with 47 points. He is definitely rounding into form in the group stages, having now notched four goals and two assists in the last three matches.
FWD: Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid - 1 Game, 2 Goals, 1 Assist = 15 Points
FWD: Neymar - PSG - 1 Game, 2 Goals, 1 Assist = 15 Points
