Champions League Awards: Rice cooks at the Bernabeu | OneFootball

Our Champions League Awards honour the best – and worst – of the midweek quarter-final action, featuring Declan Rice, John McGinn and more.

Moment of the Week

Arsenal have done it. La Remontada? No chance. Mikel Arteta’s men did not just preserve their healthy lead at the Bernabeu but extended it with a famous win in the Spanish capital.

The expected siege from the Spanish side never came to fruition, with Arsenal polished, professional, and ultimately in control. After Bukayo Saka spurned an early spot-kick with a Panenka he will not want to see again, the winger made amends to fire Arsenal ahead on 65 minutes. This time his lifted finish was perfection, beating the dive of Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid hit back almost instantly after William Saliba’s gift, but Arsenal were unflustered. On the break in stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli raced clear to score a second.

It’s on to a first semi-final in 16 years for the Gunners, who after an emphatic elimination of the holders will fear no side.

Player of the Week

When it was revealed that Real Madrid were to close the Bernabeu roof to ramp up the atmosphere this week, the Arsenal retort was that Rice cooks better with the lid on – and so it proved.

Declan Rice produced a colossal performance in the Spanish capital with the Arsenal midfielder the best player on the pitch in a clash littered with stars. After two fabulous goals and a man-of-the-match performance in the first leg, Rice claimed the accolade again with a display more like the player we have become accustomed to.

Tenacity, tackles, energy and drive, Rice dominated his duel with Jude Bellingham and appeared to be everywhere throughout the night. This was the sort of performance on the big stage that persuaded Arsenal to break their transfer record for him.

We cannot possibly pass on this award without a more-than-honourable mention for Serhou Guirassy. The damage was done to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg, but Guirassy’s goals ensured the Germans gave Barcelona at least a fright. A perfect hat-trick from the Guinea forward, who is now the Champions League’s leading scorer with 13 goals. Signed for just €18m in the summer from Stuttgart, the 29-year-old has been a steal.

Goal of the Week

It doesn’t feel all that long ago that John McGinn was trying to get Aston Villa out of the Championship. This season, he’s captained the club on the biggest stage and certainly ensured the Villans went out with a bang. Literally.

Save of the Week

Aston Villa certainly went out valiantly against Paris Saint-Germain, recovering from 5-1 down on aggregate to get within one goal of extra time.

Unai Emery’s side found a formidable frame in their path towards a comeback, however, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in superb form. After a brilliant full-stretch save from Marcus Rashford, the Italian went one better to claw away Youri Tielemans’ header. Outstanding work.

Stat of the Week

Just two players have ever made more Champions League appearances than Thomas Muller.

After Bayern bowed out to Inter Milan, Muller – who will leave the Bavarians when his contract expires in the summer – made his final European appearance for the club.

The end of an era.

A week to forget for…

Villa Park’s soundman.

Arguably the club’s biggest game in four decades, you’d think the right anthem would be a safe bet.

The look of confusion on the faces of the players is priceless.

Read – Rice says Arsenal ‘fully believe’ club can win Champions League

See more – Champions League top scorers: Guirassy takes the lead

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