WhoScored's Champions League Team of the Week: Raphinha, Martin Odegaard, Joao Neves, Charles De Ketelaere

 

The first round of Champions League matches in 2025 took place this week, and here, we’re reflecting on the action and the star performers in our Team of the Round. 

 

 

Represented in our XI are Feyenoord, Monaco, Crvena Zvezda, Atalanta, Arsenal, PSG, Barcelona and PSV. 

 

Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord) - 9.23 

 

One of the surprise results of matchday seven came at the Stadion Feijenoord, where Brian Priske’s Feyenoord side were comfortable 3-0 winners over Bayern Munich. Goalkeeper Justin Billow delivered a Player of the Match performance for the hosts, producing a total of seven saves to prevent 1.66 goals, according to Opta’s Expected Goals model. 

 

Wilfried Singo (Monaco) - 8.52 

 

A winning goal and clean sheet sees Monaco defender Wilfried Singo earn a place in our XI, with his early header enough to see the principality side claim all three points against Aston Villa on Tuesday. Singo also managed two tackles, 19 clearances and eight ball recoveries, in a colossal defensive display. 

 

Nasser Djiga (Crvena Zvezda) - 8.05 

 

Despite eventual defeat to PSV in what was an enthralling contest, Crvena Zvezda defender Nasser Djiga makes our Team of the Round after heading home for the home side on 77 minutes. The 22-year-old also provided the assist for the hosts’ first goal of the evening, marking his first goal involvements this season. 

 

 

Thilo Kehrer (Monaco) - 8.05 

 

Fellow Monaco centre-back Thilo Kehrer joins Singo in our back three, having made six tackles, three clearances, and four interceptions in the win over Aston Villa. The former West Ham man also won all 10 of the duels he contested on Tuesday evening, in an exemplary showing. 

 

Juan Cuadrado (Atalanta) - 8.72 

 

The biggest win of the round came for reigning Europa League winners Atalanta, who put five past Swiss side Sturm Graz in Bergamo on Tuesday evening. The first of two La Dea representatives is wing-back Juan Cuadrado who, as a half-time substitute, managed to provide an assist, make three key passes, five successful dribbles, one tackle and four ball recoveries. 

 

Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) - 8.81 

 

In midfield, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard earns a spot after capping a fine creative display with a goal of his own against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday. The Norway international made more key passes than any other player on the pitch (5) before adding the Gunners’ third goal of the night in the first minute of stoppage time. 

 

Joao Neves (PSG) - 8.87 

 

Joining Odegaard is PSG midfielder Joao Neves, who practically did it all against Manchester City on Wednesday night, in what was a terrific all-round display from the 20-year-old. Neves managed two key passes, two successful dribbles, seven tackles and six ball recoveries, before heading home one of seven attempts on goal to give the hosts the lead with 10 minutes to go. 

 

Raphinha (Barcelona) - 9.21 

 

The undisputed match of the round came in Lisbon, where Barcelona came from 4-2 down to eventually win 5-4 against Benfica, in the dying minutes. The star for Hansi Flick’s side, as has often been the case this season, was Raphinha, who brought his tally of goals for the campaign to 22 with a brace, including the remarkable 96th-minute winner.

 

WhoScored's Champions League Team of the Week: Raphinha, Martin Odegaard, Joao Neves, Charles De Ketelaere

 

Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta) - 9.33 

 

With a WhoScored rating of 9.33, Atalanta attacker Charles De Ketelaere is our Champions League Player of the Week. The Belgian, who has now netted four goals in his last three European outings, both scored and assisted in Tuesday’s thrashing of Sturm Graz. The 23-year-old also completed five successful dribbles and made four ball recoveries, in another fine display. 

 

Luuk de Jong (PSV) - 9.09 

 

Spearheading our XI is PSV frontman Luuk de Jong, who bagged his first two Champions League goals of the season in the 3-2 win over Crvena Zvezda on Tuesday. The 34-year-old found the net with two of his three shots on goal, while he also made two key passes, four tackles and won 14 duels, for a WhoScored rating of 9.09. 

 

Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord) - 8.87 

 

Rounding off our Team of the Round is Feyenoord forward Santiago Gimenez, who was instrumental for the Dutch side in what will be seen as a famous victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening. The Mexican striker opened the scoring for the hosts after 21 minutes, before doubling their lead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage time.

WhoScored's Champions League Team of the Week: Raphinha, Martin Odegaard, Joao Neves, Charles De Ketelaere