Image: from UEFA Champions League X @ChampionsLeague
NYON — UEFA has officially unveiled its Champions League Team of the Week following a high-octane opening round of the knockout phase play-offs. Headlining the squad is Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon, whose historic four-goal haul in Baku dominated headlines and earned him the overall Player of the Week honor.
The selection, curated by the UEFA Technical Observer Group, highlights the standout performers from the first-leg fixtures as the continent’s elite vie for a spot in the Round of 16.
Magpies and Black-and-Yellows Dominate
Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund emerged as the biggest winners in this week’s honors list, each placing two key figures in the starting XI.
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Anthony Gordon (Newcastle): The undisputed star of the week. Gordon’s four-goal blitz against Qarabağ saw him surpass club legend Alan Shearer to become Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer in a single Champions League campaign with 10 goals.
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Dan Burn (Newcastle): Joining his teammate in the XI, Burn was praised for his defensive “vigilance” and his offensive contribution, providing the assist for Gordon’s opening goal.
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Gregor Kobel (Dortmund): The Swiss shot-stopper secured his place between the posts after a flawless clean-sheet performance against Atalanta, leading the week’s “goals-prevented” metric.
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Julian Ryerson (Dortmund): A constant threat on the right wing, Ryerson’s pinpoint delivery provided the assist for Serhou Guirassy’s opener in their victory.
Surprise Standouts and Young Guns
The Team of the Week also reflects the tournament’s unpredictable nature, featuring names from Bodø/Glimt and Club Brugge alongside traditional giants.
| Player | Club | Key Contribution |
| Kasper Høgh | Bodø/Glimt | Scored in his 3rd straight game and provided 2 assists in a shock win over Inter Milan. |
| Désiré Doué | Paris | Ignited a comeback against Monaco with two goals and three created chances. |
| Gabriel Sara | Galatasaray | Orchestrated a 5-2 win over Juventus with a goal and a week-high six key passes. |
| Christos Tzolis | Club Brugge | Fired a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer to stun Atlético Madrid. |
| Aurélien Tchouaméni | Real Madrid | Dominated the midfield with 4 interceptions in a tactical masterclass at Benfica. |
The Road to the Round of 16
While the individual accolades belong to these eleven men, the focus now shifts to the return legs scheduled for February 24 and 25. For Gordon and Newcastle, a 6-1 aggregate lead makes the home leg at St. James’ Park appear a formality, but for the likes of Club Brugge and Bodø/Glimt, these individual masterclasses have kept their underdog dreams alive.
UEFA’s Technical Observer Group noted that this week’s selections were defined by “clutch” moments and tactical discipline under the immense pressure of the new knockout format.