Messi, Neymar, De Gea and Robben in the team of the week

The Champions League is on its last day, but who were the stars of the penultimate edition of the group? Here is the best XI of the fifth day.

Goalkeeper – David De Gea (Manchester United)

Would José Mourinho still have a job if it was the brilliant talent of his long-time guardian? De Gea 's last master clbad took place in a superb second half of the Young Boys' Ulisses Garcia, whose deviated effort seemed to go to the lower corner before the first half of the season was over. Spanish does not get it back. It was a great athletic play and set the stage for United to announce a late vital victory – which also made his entourage aware of the potential consequences of his absence.

Right back – Joao Cancelo (Juventus)

The invention of Cristiano Ronaldo may have opened the door of Juventus in Valencia, but his compatriot arriving in summer, Cancelo, has just as much impact at the other end of the world. The defender did a great game against his former club, canceling the threat of the dangerous Goncalo Guedes while contributing further to help Juve secure its place in the playoffs.

Left back – Juan Bernat (PSG)

Two match days, two essential contributions to the underrated Bernat. This time, he opened the scoring against Liverpool with a nice piece to shoot a game missed Virgil van Dijk before pbading the ball on his right foot and pbad Alisson. His left-wing partnership with Neymar worked well and also kept Mohamed Salah and his silent company.

Central back – Benoit Poulain (Club Brugge)

Who could have predicted that Borussia Dortmund, scoring without goal, would make a blank on the non-fantasized Belgians? One point to the advantage of both teams, the leaders of the Bundesliga qualifying for the round of 16 and Bruges confirming his place in the Europa League, but Poulain and his defense have had their work cut out for one. the most glittering attacks in Europe and have achieved an admirable result. They kept the hosts at arm's length although they only hold 24% of the players, which is a very impressive action for the rearguard.

Central back – Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)

Vertonghen has missed the past two months due to an injury, but seemed not to have left during Tottenham's impressive win over Inter. He missed a decent opportunity to open the scoring after a clear free kick from Christian Eriksen but his contribution was much more important at the other end of the line, where he held the prolific Mauro Icardi to make sure that the Spurs had very little difficulty, even when the pressure increased the end of the game.

Right wing – Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

Why try a different trick when it works so well? Robben will turn 35 in January, but few opponents have found a way to prevent him from cutting himself inside his left foot, working half a meter and letting him fly. He did it twice to open Bayern's gates against Benfica – the first for a fantastic effort after pioneering a path inside an apparently innocuous position – and although this season has been so hectic in Bavaria, there is plenty of life in the old dog yet.

Midfielder – Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)

The reinvention of Sissoko in Tottenham continues. The team worked for long periods in its game to win against Inter, but the French international played a vital role in speeding up the pace when it was needed. In the first half, a 50-yard run gave Lucas Moura a chance Samir Handanovic saved; with 20 minutes to play a similar shine, turning a situation of "nothing" into an opening, saw him find Dele Alli, who put the winner for Christian Eriksen. It was a shifting contribution and, given its current form, no big surprise.

Central midfielder – Marco Verratti (PSG)

It is tempting to wonder if Verratti's form and fitness, as well as donations from Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, are the most important factors in PSG's last Champions League run. He had the chance to escape with a yellow card for a horrible first-half challenge against Joe Gomez of Liverpool, but his overall performance was masterful. Few are able to catch a match under their spell when the Italian is in full swing, pulling the strings and dictating the tempo; Liverpool, despite all his movements, just could not get close to him in the middle of the field.

to play

After their defeat in Paris, Craig Burley and the FC crew evaluate how Liverpool played in the hands of PSG by not slowing down their opposition to the stars.

Left wing – Neymar (PSG)