Left wing - Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid). One run against Atalanta epitomised the best and the most exasperating in Vinicius, brilliant in its ambition, speed and dribbling. Alas, the finish disappointed. But he is decisive in important matches. He won a penalty minutes later. EPA
Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid). But for the long limbs of the Belgian goalkeeper, Madrid’s progress past Atalanta would have been far less comfortable. An early save from Robin Gosens and a late one from Duvan Zapata kept Madrid in charge. EPA
Right-back - Reece James (Chelsea). The sturdy right-back-cum-wing-back established command of his flank against Atletico Madrid, outperforming his England rival, Atletico’s Kieran Trippier. Threatening going forward and solid in retreat. Reuters
Centre-back - John Stones (Manchester City). It is almost a rare day when Stones doesn’t score a goal these days. But he was at the origin of the moves for both City’s goals against Borussia Monchengladbach, and masterly in his main job in central defence. AFP
Centre-back - Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Returning after a period of injury, Madrid’s talismanic captain kept Atalanta’s dangerous Luis Muriel at bay, at least from open play, and put his name on the scoresheet, again, at a critical moment, converting from the penalty spot. EPA
Left-back - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City). In the sort of form where Pep Guardiola can put him anywhere in his formation. Creative, and instinctively tuned about when to roam and when to stick in his position, he shone, as he had in the first leg against Gladbach. AFP
Right midfield - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich). No danger of complacency while Kimmich bosses Bayern’s midfield. They owned their last-16 contest against Lazio before the second leg, but made sure of it once Kimmich launched the counter that set up Bayern’s sixth goal of the tie. Reuters
Centre midfield - N’Golo Kante (Chelsea). It’s not easy to out-fight and out-think Atletico Madrid at the heart of midfield. Kante achieved it for a Chelsea missing the influential Jorginho. The France player’s pressing was typically smart, but he looked ahead, too, for opportunities on the break. AFP
Left midfield - Luka Modric (Real Madrid). The older he grows - he’s 35 - the more energetic he becomes. Ubiquitous while Madrid sought control of a potentially tense night against Atalanta, aiding in defence, stimulating the attack. Set up the first goal in the 3-1 win. EPA
Right wing - Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich). Sane has fully perfected what Bayern used to recognise as the Arjen Robben manoeuvre, cutting onto his left foot from wide on the right. Used it to alarm Lazio, and later played a brilliant disguised pass to Serge Gnabry. AFP
Centre-forward - Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City). A superb goal killed the tie against Gladbach and served notice that De Bruyne, thriving in positions closer to goal in recent weeks, might just be the spearhead to take City to a Champions League final. AFP
Left wing - Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid). One run against Atalanta epitomised the best and the most exasperating in Vinicius, brilliant in its ambition, speed and dribbling. Alas, the finish disappointed. But he is decisive in important matches. He won a penalty minutes later. EPA
Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid). But for the long limbs of the Belgian goalkeeper, Madrid’s progress past Atalanta would have been far less comfortable. An early save from Robin Gosens and a late one from Duvan Zapata kept Madrid in charge. EPA
Right-back - Reece James (Chelsea). The sturdy right-back-cum-wing-back established command of his flank against Atletico Madrid, outperforming his England rival, Atletico’s Kieran Trippier. Threatening going forward and solid in retreat. Reuters
Centre-back - John Stones (Manchester City). It is almost a rare day when Stones doesn’t score a goal these days. But he was at the origin of the moves for both City’s goals against Borussia Monchengladbach, and masterly in his main job in central defence. AFP
Centre-back - Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Returning after a period of injury, Madrid’s talismanic captain kept Atalanta’s dangerous Luis Muriel at bay, at least from open play, and put his name on the scoresheet, again, at a critical moment, converting from the penalty spot. EPA
Left-back - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City). In the sort of form where Pep Guardiola can put him anywhere in his formation. Creative, and instinctively tuned about when to roam and when to stick in his position, he shone, as he had in the first leg against Gladbach. AFP
Right midfield - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich). No danger of complacency while Kimmich bosses Bayern’s midfield. They owned their last-16 contest against Lazio before the second leg, but made sure of it once Kimmich launched the counter that set up Bayern’s sixth goal of the tie. Reuters
Centre midfield - N’Golo Kante (Chelsea). It’s not easy to out-fight and out-think Atletico Madrid at the heart of midfield. Kante achieved it for a Chelsea missing the influential Jorginho. The France player’s pressing was typically smart, but he looked ahead, too, for opportunities on the break. AFP
Left midfield - Luka Modric (Real Madrid). The older he grows - he’s 35 - the more energetic he becomes. Ubiquitous while Madrid sought control of a potentially tense night against Atalanta, aiding in defence, stimulating the attack. Set up the first goal in the 3-1 win. EPA
Right wing - Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich). Sane has fully perfected what Bayern used to recognise as the Arjen Robben manoeuvre, cutting onto his left foot from wide on the right. Used it to alarm Lazio, and later played a brilliant disguised pass to Serge Gnabry. AFP
Centre-forward - Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City). A superb goal killed the tie against Gladbach and served notice that De Bruyne, thriving in positions closer to goal in recent weeks, might just be the spearhead to take City to a Champions League final. AFP
Left wing - Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid). One run against Atalanta epitomised the best and the most exasperating in Vinicius, brilliant in its ambition, speed and dribbling. Alas, the finish disappointed. But he is decisive in important matches. He won a penalty minutes later. EPA
