The UEFA Champions League is back, with the first round of fixtures taking place on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 September.
Arsenal started life back in the competition with a resounding 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven, Galatasaray completed a late comeback to rescue a point against 10-man Copenhagen, while Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel was the hero as he scored a last-minute equaliser versus Atletico Madrid.
There were some standout performances in Matchday One of the 2023-24 competition, but who makes it into FootballTransfers’ Champions League Team of the Week?
READ MORE: Champions League top scorers 2023/24 – Bellingham and Casemiro impress
FootballTransfers’ Champions League Team of the Week
![FootballTransfers' UCL TOTW](https://static.footballtransfers.com/images/cn/image/upload/q_75,w_750,h_750,ar_1.1/footballcritic/sbwnrk4pdnj4vlewj7zc.webp)
GK – Ivan Provedel (Lazio)
With Lazio trailing 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid in the dying seconds of their Champions League group stage opener, goalkeeper Ivan Provedel was sent forward as Maurizio Sarri’s side desperately searched for an equaliser.
The 29-year-old then proceeded to make a darting run into the six-yard box before expertly placing a bullet header past Jan Oblak with the last kick of the game.
In the process, Providel became only the second goalkeeper in Champions League history to score in open play. Furthermore, he also made three crucial saves during the game as Lazio kicked off their campaign with a point.
READ MORE: Who has the most valuable squad in the 2023-24 Champions League?
RB – Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich)
After selling Benjamin Pavard to Inter Milan, many expected Noussair Mazraoui to become Bayern’s starting right-back, but Thomas Tuchel has opted for Konrad Laimer instead.
The Austrian played that role on occasion at RB Leipzig, but he now looks to be Tuchel’s preferred choice in that position.
Laimer made three tackles in Bayern’s 4-3 win over Manchester United, and kept the dangerous Marcus Rashford relatively quiet throughout the game. He also completed two dribbles as Bayern asserted their dominance.
CB – Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
Jules Kounde spent the majority of his first season at Barcelona playing at right-back, rather than his favoured role at centre-back. Of course, he plays on the flank for France, but it’s clear that he is best when deployed in the middle.
![Jules Kounde, Barcelona](https://static.footballtransfers.com/images/cn/image/upload/q_75,w_750,h_422,ar_750.421/footballcritic/fekajlflykf0luh3amem.webp)
Thanks to the arrival of Joao Cancelo, Kounde has been able to play centre-back this season and he’s began the campaign in sensational form.
In Barcelona’s 5-0 demolition of Royal Antwerp, the Frenchman was formidable at the back – with five aerial duels won, three clearances, two tackles and one interception – but it was his ability to progress the ball that caught the eye.
Kounde completed 94% of his 103 attempted passes, made four accurate long balls, created one big chance and even had a shot, all from centre-back.
CB – Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Milan went into their home tie against Newcastle with one man to really fear – Alexander Isak.
Eddie Howe deployed Jacob Murphy on the right-flank, mostly to deal with Theo Hernandez’s attacking threat, while Anthony Gordon, with two Newcastle goals to his name, was on the left.
Therefore, it was Isak who posed the largest threat. However, he was swatted aside on every occasion by a formidable Fikayo Tomori. The former Chelsea man swept up everything for Milan and ensured they were able to keep the pressure on Newcastle’s backline.
Tomori made five tackles, three interceptions, two clearances and one key pass. Furthermore, he incredibly completed all 49 of his attempted passes, meaning he ended the game with a 100% pass accuracy.
LB – Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Theo Hernandez is perhaps unlikely to miss out here, but Achraf Hakimi’s display against Borussia Dortmund was worthy of an inclusion.
![Achraf Hakimi, PSG](https://static.footballtransfers.com/images/cn/image/upload/q_75,w_750,h_422,ar_750.421/footballcritic/mu7raenzaf7qrknhsbxw.webp)
The Moroccan scored his second goal of the 2023-24 season with coolness personified as he completed a one-two with Vitinha before sitting Mats Hummels down and poking the ball past Dortmund ‘keeper Gregor Kobel.
His relationship with Ousmane Dembele seems to be improving every week and Hakimi simply dominated the right flank at the Parc des Princes.
With three tackles, three interceptions and three key passes, Hakimi was active in all phases of play and is beginning to show that he is capable of playing as a full-back, rather than just as a wing-back.
DM – Rodri (Man City)
Rodri is simply the best defensive midfielder in world football and that fact can’t be disputed. The Spaniard now has three goals and three assists in just 11 games for club and country this season, and that isn’t even his main role.
His goal against Red Star Belgrade was effortless and he gently curled the ball into the bottom corner, after failing to score with his previous four shots in the game.
Rodri kept Man City ticking, as always, with 117 touches and 92 accurate passes, while he also completed three dribbles and three accurate long balls.
CM – Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Martin Odegaard’s previous two Champions League starts had both come for Real Madrid and his impact for Los Blancos in those games was considerably less than during Arsenal’s 4-0 rout of PSV.
![Martin Odegaard scored his first Champions League goal against PSV](https://static.footballtransfers.com/images/cn/image/upload/q_75,w_750,h_422,ar_750.421/footballcritic/qjl2hqiuomxwjlkvbn3n.webp)
The Norway international was brilliant yet again and added a 70th minute goal to an all-round performance that Gunners fans have become used to at the Emirates.
Odegaard was the driving force behind Arsenal’s attack and his goal was just reward for a display that included three shots on target, 100% dribble success rate, five accurate long balls and an inevitability that seemingly follows him whenever he plays in front of his home supporters.
CM – Vitinha (PSG)
Just like Hakimi, Portuguese star Vitinha also produced a wonderful performance in front of the Parc des Princes faithful as PSG started their Champions League campaign with all three points against Dortmund.
Vitinha ran the show from midfield and was unlucky not to score when he saw his 19th minute effort cannon off the left post. But, he was sublime throughout as his obvious talent begins to shine through under new boss Luis Enrique.
RW – Joao Felix (Barcelona)
This summer, Joao Felix revealed that his dream was to play for Barcelona; a few weeks later, he manifested a move to Camp Nou and it’s more than paid off.
After struggling at both Atletico Madrid and on loan at Chelsea, Felix has found his feet under Xavi and is now thriving in the iconic red and blue shirt.
Xavi has given the Portuguese star the freedom to cut inside off the left flank, with Alejandro Balde overlapping, and the rewards have already been seen. He netted a brace and provided an assist in a five-star performance against Antwerp.
Felix’s first goal was a neat near post finish after shaping for the far corner, while the second was a cushioned header from a Raphinha cross. His assist was perfectly executed for Robert Lewandowski to finish, and Chelsea will be kicking themselves after passing up on the opportunity to sign him this summer.
ST – Julian Alvarez (Man City)
Kevin de Bruyne’s early season injury was a hammer blow for Pep Guardiola, but Julian Alvarez has taken up the responsibility and Man City continue to look frightening.
![Julian Alvarez, Man City](https://static.footballtransfers.com/images/cn/image/upload/q_75,w_750,h_422,ar_750.421/footballcritic/rhouirgs9x2nqllvphyy.webp)
The Argentine played a slightly reserved role behind Erling Haaland, but he still managed to score two goals as Man City came back from 1-0 down to beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1.
Alvarez’s goals weren’t the only good thing about his performance, however. He also took eight shots, produced an insane seven key passes, won five ground duels and completed all three of his attempted dribbles.
It was a masterful display from a hugely talented 23-year-old with the world at his feet.
LW – Wenderson Galeno (FC Porto)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs FC Porto was certainly not the most eye-catching fixture in Matchday One, but Wenderson Galeno’s exploits should not be ignored.
The 25-year-old Brazilian had only scored twice in his previous 24 appearances before this game, but he matched that tally in just 89 minutes as he scored two to help Porto claim a 3-1 win on opening night.
In addition, he also provided the assist for Porto’s third goal – a neat finish by Iran international Mehdi Taremi.