Gerrard leads all-star cast on opening night
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Article summary
Talking point: Steven Gerrard, Sergio Agüero, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Juan Culio all caught the eye during the first round of UEFA Champions League group stage games. Who were your five star performers of the week?
Article top media content
Article body
The first round of the UEFA Champions League has already produced some memorable performances and uefa.com takes its pick of five of the best. Do you agree with our selection? If not who would be in your top five and why?
Steven Gerrard
Olympique de Marseille 1-2 Liverpool FC
Gerrard, not for the first time, was the driving force behind a Liverpool victory in Europe. The midfielder quickly cancelled out Lorik Cana's opener with a fine strike from long range before holding his nerve from the penalty spot six minutes later to earn his side three points.
Sergio Agüero
PSV Eindhoven 0-3 Club Atlético de Madrid
Man of the match – who else but Sergio Agüero? He did more in an hour than many players manage in a season. Fast, brilliant on the turn and always available, he sparkled with two well-taken goals, one with each foot. This could be the season he goes stellar.
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Panathinaikos FC 0-2 FC Internazionale Milano
Ibrahimović may not have scored but the Swedish striker ensured Inter left Athens with all three points following a commanding display. He hardly put a foot wrong as he tirelessly led the line for the Italian champions, creating two goals, outmuscling three defenders to set up Mancini for the first and then sliding in Adriano to wrap up the points.
Juan Culio
AS Roma 1-2 CFR 1907 Cluj
Culio was the unlikely hero in Rome with both goals in a famous win for CFR. The Argentinian midfielder combined brilliantly with Eugen Trică to equalise after 27 minutes and went one better when he volleyed in what proved to be the winner after the break.
Karim Benzema
Olympique Lyonnais 2-2 ACF Fiorentina
Benzema has made it clear he would rather not play on the left wing, but rather than complain about Claude Puel's decision he turned in a superb display on the flank. Full of tricks, pace and determination, the 20-year-old was always going to be the key to any Lyon comeback in the second half - and so it proved. He laid on the first goal for Piquionne and scored the equaliser himself.