Champions League Awards: European epic and King Kvara

Champions League Awards: European epic and King Kvara

Our Champions League Awards celebrate the best and worst from this week’s semi-final first legs, featuring a goal-fest at the Parc des Princes.

Moment of the Week

Picking one moment from Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich just does not feel sufficient. The Champions League does not often disappoint, but rarely do we see such entertainment when the pressure is really on.

For the first time, we saw nine goals scored in a single leg of a semi-final tie, as PSG and Bayern battled it out in an epic. Sure, the critics will point towards some sub-standard defending, but this was two top, top, teams trading punches without a second thought for what was coming back.

Just four Champions League games have ever featured more goals, and none of those were at the business end of the competition. Sorry, Arsenal and Atletico, but this really should have been the final. Roll on the second leg.

Player of the Week

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dragged Paris Saint-Germain back into the game after a suspect start against Bayern, with a great goal from the Georgian levelling things up after Harry Kane’s opener for the visitors.

It was trademark Kvaratskhelia, jinking inside opposition challenges before firing home. The 25-year-old is having a brilliant Champions League season and took his season total to 10 goals in 14 games with a well-taken second. He’s an absolute pleasure to watch, as are the Parisians.