Exceptional attacking displays earn Mario Gotze and Isco a place while there are a number of defensive debuts for this season in our weekly select XI
There are some seasonal debuts and triumphant returns in our Champions League Team of the Week for matchday five, with some inspirational performances helping some sides to book their places in the knockout phase.
For the first time this season, there was a shortage of outstanding goalkeeping performances across the matchday, with Austria Vienna’s Heinz Lindner getting the nod after his impressive display against a determined Porto attack.
In a back four this week, Porto’s Alex Sandro makes the cut after his energetic display helped his side rescue a point, while Alvaro Arbeloa capped a fine showing by notching a goal and an assist for the first time in his senior club career. In the centre, Chris Smalling put in his best display of the season, helping Manchester United to a clean sheet while scoring once and forcing an own goal in the rout of Bayer Leverkusen, and Fabian Schar returns alongside him after shutting out Chelsea and hitting the pass which led to Mohamed Salah’s winner on Tuesday for Basel.
Arturo Vidal anchors our midfield three – although, in truth, he could probably line up almost anywhere – after firing his first senior hat-trick as Juventus beat Copenhagen. Davy Klaassen joins him following a brilliant, battling display in Ajax’s win over Barcelona, while Ryan Giggs outshone players 15 years his junior as he bossed the midfield at the BayArena for Man United.
In attack, Mario Gotze followed his inspired cameo against Borussia Dortmund with a fine performance as Bayern Munich’s false nine against CSKA Moscow, while Isco‘s vibrant display for the 10 men of Madrid sees him line up alongside the German. At the focal point, we find Wayne Rooney, who led by example for United on Wednesday with four assists and a tireless performance in the absence of Robin van Persie.