The first week of the new 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season is in the books, and boy oh boy was it an eventful one.
There were record-breaking wins, shock defeats, all-time great saves across the three days of Champions League football.
And after all of that fun, here’s 90min’s picks for the UEFA Champions League team of Gameweek 1.
Had David Raya not made arguably the greatest double save in the history of mankind, then Thibaut Courtois would’ve been in this team thanks to his great performance vs Stuttgart.
However, Raya did make arguably the greatest double save in history of mankind to deny Mateo Retegui on two occasions in quick succession, so he’s made this team.
Joshua Kimmich has looked like man re-born since Thomas Tuchel left Bayern Munich, and his resurgence continued in the Champions League this week.
The Germany international was extremely effective alongside new right-sided partner Michael Olise against Dinamo Zagreb, setting up two of Bayern’s nine goals on the night (yes, nine).
Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Stuttgart was perhaps a busier game than Antonio Rudiger was expecting, but the defender rose to the challenge.
From a defensive perspective, Rudiger was pretty impeccable – winning 100% of his tackles and duels, and clearing his lines and impressive six times.
From an offensive perspective, he was also pretty impeccable too – scoring a header in the 83rd minute, and completing 91% of his passes.
Jose Gimenez scored one of the most important goals of Gameweek 1 of the 2024/25 Champions League.
With the scores locked level between Atletico Madrid and a talented RB Leipzig side, the defender popped up at the back post to head home a last minute winner.
Nice one.
Bayer Leverkusen got their first Champions League campaign under Xabi Alonso off to a flying start this week away at Feyenoord, and a key reason for that was Alex Grimaldo.
The Spain international was in fantastic form during the 4-0 victory, bagging a goal at one end and winning a whopping seven duels and 100% of his tackles at the other.
Considering the fact that Bayern Munich beat Dinamo Zagreb 9-2, it is surprising that Jamal…
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