Two Barcelona stars make Champions League TOTW

Pedri and Raphinha have been included in the UCL TOTW.

by Charlie Webb March 6, 2025
ESP: FC Barcelona, Barca v Deportivo Alaves. La Liga EA Sports. Date 22 Raphael Dias Belloli Raphinha and Pedro Gonzalez Pedri of FC Barcelona during the La Liga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alavàs / IMAGO / Pressinphoto

Barcelona’s game against Benfica in the Champions League might be one of the best games the club has managed for a long time.

After La Masia graduate Pau Cubarsi was sent off early in the first half, it looked very bleak for Hansi Flick’s side.

Thankfully, a spirited team performance and an exceptional goal by Raphinha rescued a result for the Blaugrana, giving Barca the advantage heading into the second leg. 

The standout player in the tie though was Pedri, who dominated Benfica’s midfield despite not having as much support as he usually would.

Champions League Team of the Week

The official Champions League X (formerly Twitter), posted this Round of 16 first-leg Team of the Week, which included two Barcelona stars.

Full Team: Alisson (Liverpool), Timber (Arsenal), Pavard (Inter), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), De Cuyper (Brugge), Pedri (Barcelona), Odegaard (Arsenal), Rogers (Aston Villa), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Kane (Bayern Munich), Raphinha, (Barcelona).

Whilst a lot of people may wonder why Wojciech Szczęsny has not been included, Alisson’s performance against PSG was incredible. 

Pedri and Raphinha are very much deserved though, especially when you consider that Barca only had 10 men for a large majority of the game.

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