Champions League Awards: Kvaradona and Bend it like Rice! | OneFootball

Wow, wow, wow. What a week of Champions League football as the quarter-finals kicked off. Our Champions League Awards honour the best of the latest action.

Moment of the Week

Talk about a statement result.

Mikel Arteta cautiously talked up the ‘aura’ of Real Madrid ahead of kick-off, as Arsenal welcomed the holders to North London. Real Madrid have dominated this competition in spells since its initial inception, with a run of six Champions League trophies in the last 11 seasons a near-monopolisation of club football’s biggest prize.

Arsenal, however, had no fear. The Gunners have never won the Champions League but looked like the powerhouse side at the Emirates. Two fantastic free-kicks from Declan Rice and a sweeping finish from Mikel Merino put their illustrious visitors to the sword.

With a three-nil advantage, the tie is Arsenal’s to lose. Arteta’s side might just have come of age in Europe and made this the most interesting latter stages in some time.

Player of the Week

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia might not be the easiest name to pronounce but it’s one that is going to be talked about plenty in the coming seasons.

The Georgian was a class above as Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to beat Aston Villa, floating around the Parc des Princes with an untouchable grace. At a time when teams – and particularly forwards – are being criticised for robotic passages of play, Kvaratskhelia is a breath of fresh air, providing unpredictability and daring in possession.

His stud-roll to leave Axel Disasi for dead and rifled finish past Emi Martinez was world-class, from a super talent who has been an instant hit in Paris.

Goal of the Week

Just where do we start? Has there ever been a quarter-final week with so many glorious goals? Choosing a winner is impossible – so let’s just celebrate some of the best.

Declan Rice had never previously scored a direct free-kick goal in over 300 career appearances. He netted two in 12 minutes against Real Madrid, with the second postage-stamped into the top corner.

We’ve seen Kvaratskhelia’s wonder goal for PSG but what about this from teammate Desire Doue?

The Frenchman is just 19 years old, yet is serving up this sort of quality on the big stage. The potential is frightening.

There’s something that’s heartwarmingly nostalgic about two frontmen linking up and this combination from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez was pure class. That finish, by the way, is utterly absurd.

Save of the Week

Real Madrid have a mountain to climb in their second leg against Arsenal – but it could have been worse.

Thibaut Courtois did his best to keep the score down at the Emirates.

Stat of the Week

Running into an ex is bad enough. When that ex is Robert Lewandowski, it’s much, much worse.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are making a mockery of those Farmers’ League digs…

Read – Five of the best Champions League free-kicks ever

See more – Five times loanees haunted their parent club

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