Three key members of the first-team setup at Spanish giants Real Madrid have been included in the latest edition of UEFA’s Champions League Team of the Week.
Real, of course, marked their return to continental action on Tuesday.
Sans the services of a whole host of headline stars, Carlo Ancelotti’s troops made the trip to the Red Bull Arena, for the first leg of the club’s Last-16 showdown with Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
And, when all was said and done, Los Blancos took a significant step towards booking their spot in the competition’s quarter-finals.
This came as a solitary moment of magic on the part of Brahim Díaz proved enough to put Leipzig to the sword by a goal to nil.
And as much has since seen midfielder Brahim – whose inclusion on Tuesday came only owing to the injury absence of Jude Bellingham – afforded a deserved spot in UEFA’s standout XI for the first round of Champions League knockout round fixtures.
Joining the Spaniard, meanwhile, is shot-stopper Andriy Lunin, who enjoyed a historic evening at the Red Bull Arena, on his way to no fewer than nine saves.
And rounding out Real’s representatives in the line-up is Ferland Mendy, who again showcased precisely why boss Carlo Ancelotti is so keen to hold onto him this summer, despite the club’s push for Alphonso Davies.
Check out the Champions League Team of the week in full below:
Conor Laird | GSFN
