Champions League Gameweek 6 Stars: The 10 Players Who Dominated Europe's Elite Stage
The concluding round of Champions League matches for this calendar year delivered additional excitement across 18 captivating encounters.
Liverpool's vital journey to Inter was the highlight of Tuesday's games, though the showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester City on Wednesday night captured the spotlight.
However, neither match delivered a genuinely earth-shattering individual display, at least not based on the FotMob ratings. Thankfully, there were numerous standout performances elsewhere throughout Europe.
Here are the top 10 displays from Matchday 6 in the Champions League.
6. Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Anthony Gordon
Rating: 8.8
Bayern Munich faced temporary danger after falling behind to Sporting CP early in the second period, but three strikes in the final 25 minutes secured another European triumph for Vincent Kompany's side as they maintain their grip on second place in the league phase table.
Michael Olise played a pivotal role in their comeback by providing the assist for the equalizing goal, which was netted by Serge Gnabry—another standout performer on Tuesday evening in Bavaria. The German attacker then went on to contribute an assist to his leveling strike, setting up Jonathan Tah in the final moments to clinch victory.
Another excellent display occurred in Germany, though in Leverkusen instead of Munich. Newcastle United were held to a 2–2 stalemate by their opponents after conceding late, but not due to any lack of effort from Anthony Gordon. He converted from the penalty spot and then set up Lewis Miley's header to maintain his excellent recent form.
5. Noni Madueke, Alexander Sørloth, Mason Greenwood
Rating: 8.9
No Bukayo Saka, no issue for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta managed to rest his attacking star during the 3–0 triumph over Club Brugge and utilized Noni Madueke instead, who repaid the Spaniard's faith by delivering a double. The second was a straightforward close-range finish, but the first was genuinely spectacular as he gathered the ball, drove to the penalty area's edge and unleashed a shot into the top corner.
Alexander Sørloth also found the net for Atlético Madrid during their thrilling 3–2 success at PSV Eindhoven, unselfishly creating Julián Alvarez's equalizer before sealing victory by scoring Atléti's third from short range following a flowing attack.
Mason Greenwood was another to register his name on the scoresheet during midweek action, finding the net on both sides of the interval in Marseille's dramatic 3–2 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise.
4. Anan Khalaili
Rating: 9.0
The sole top GW6 performer to finish on the defeated side was Anan Khalaili. He also secured a double during USG's encounter with Marseille, opening and closing the match with strikes before the home supporters. Regrettably for him and his colleagues, both goals ultimately counted for nothing.
Both were superb driven strikes, the opener arriving after merely five minutes as the wing-back cut inward and hammered a low shot into the near corner, while the second came 20 minutes before full-time as he blasted home a fierce effort from within the penalty box.
3. Martín Zubimendi
Rating: 9.1
Madueke might have grabbed the attention with his spectacular strike, with Gabriel Martinelli also delivering a stunner in Arsenal's victory in Bruges, but Martín Zubimendi departed the encounter with two assists to his credit.
The Spaniard demonstrated his offensive capabilities alongside his defensive solidity in Belgium, especially impressing with his second assist for Madueke as a bending delivery to the back post found the winger completely unmarked.
The smoothness with which Zubimendi has integrated into Arteta's team cannot be overstated, with the midfielder having already established himself as essential to the soaring Gunners.
2. Jules Koundé
Rating: 9.3
Jules Koundé had never netted a pair before Tuesday's comeback triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt, but his headed double proved vital for Barcelona as they pursue a top-eight placement following some disappointing European performances this campaign.
Barça were behind at halftime but two goals in three minutes from their right-back secured a 2–1 victory. Marcus Rashford's excellent delivery created Koundé's opening header, with his second assisted by Lamine Yamal—impressive suppliers to have delivering crosses to the far post.
Koundé also generated three opportunities and made seven defensive actions in what was an outstanding complete performance during Barça's moment of necessity.
1. Oscar Gloukh
Rating: 9.4
Ajax have been absolutely dreadful in the Champions League this season and arrived at GW6 without a single point to their name, but their miserable streak ended in Azerbaijan as they twice recovered from deficits to defeat Qarabağ 4–2 in an entertaining contest.
Oscar Gloukh was instrumental to a morale-lifting victory for the struggling Dutch powerhouse, netting a beautiful equalizer 11 minutes before the end before adding his second of the night to claim all three points in the final moments.
He generated more scoring opportunities than any other player in Baku as the 21-year-old displayed his tremendous talent once again.