The semi-final round of the Champions League has now come to an end and it was the goal-fest all neutrals were hoping for. There was an historic moment in our Team of the Week as Nacho from Real Madrid made the cut with just a single point.
This was largely due to the fact that a whopping 10 goals were scored in just these two matches, but, strangely, no player other than Roma’s Radja Nainggolan scored more than one of those goals though.
GK: Keylor Navas - Real Madrid - 1 Game, 8 Saves, 2 Goals Conceded = 4 Points
DF: Marcelo - Real Madrid - 1 Game, 1 Assist, 2 Goals Conceded = 3 Points
We knew this would be a tough round for defenders, but a player getting three points leading his position is pretty awful for Fantasy. That to the side, his assist was fantastic as his cross was perfect for Benzema to head home at the back post. The Brazilian notched a goal in the first leg as well so, with little chance of a clean sheet in the final, you should definitely look for attacking potential in your defenders.
DF: Aleksandar Kolarov - Roma - 1 Game, 1 Assist, 2 Goals Conceded = 3 Points
DF: Nacho - Real Madrid - 1 Substitute Appearance = 1 Point
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MF: Radja Nainggolan - Roma - 1 Game, 2 Goals = 14 Points
Roma came up just short but Nainggolan’s brace was enough to make him our Player of the Week anyway. He has not exactly been free scoring in the Champions League this season, but the Belgian stepped up in this tie with two goals and two assists against Liverpool proving his status as one of the best midfielders in Europe. Roma have all but locked up a place in next year’s competition and Nainggolan will be a very interesting Fantasy option in 2018/19.
MF: James Rodriguez - Bayern Munich - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
MF: Sadio Mane - Liverpool - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
MF: Joshua Kimmich - Bayern Munich - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
Kimmich has just had himself a ridiculous season. He has gone from a promising central midfielder to one of the best right backs in the game. The fact that he has been playing in defence should have hurt his value yet, barring something crazy happening in the final, the German will end the season as a top five midfielder in the Goal game. If he is actually listed as a defender next season, Kimmich will be a must own as he will be able to add all of those clean sheet points to his already ridiculous attacking returns.
MF: Georginio Wijnaldum - Liverpool - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
FWD: Karim Benzema - Real Madrid - 1 Game, 2 Goals = 12 Points
Where has this been all season? He’s having his worst campaign since joining Madrid in 2009 yet, when it really mattered, the Frenchman found his scoring boots. His brace ended up being just enough for Madrid to advance to their third straight Champions League final. Despite his struggles, it’s hard to not like a striker who will face a defence who just conceded six goals over two legs and, with so few available options remaining, will be worth an own for the next and last match of the competition.
FWD: Edin Dzeko - Roma - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 7 Points
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