Champions League Team of the Week: Matchday 1
UEFA has named its official Team of the Week for Champions League Matchday 1 — and for the first time this season, no club is represented more than once. Eleven players, eleven different clubs, headlined by a hat-trick hero.
The Full XI
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid).
Defenders: Serginho Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Marc Bartra (Real Betis), Pau Torres (Aston Villa), Archie Brown (Fenerbahçe).
Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal), Martin Baturina (Como).
Forwards: Michael Olisé (Bayern Munich), Ferran Torres (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphinha (Barcelona), Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart).
Ferran Torres Named Player of the Matchday
PSG's Ferran Torres was named the standout player of the entire opening round after his hat-trick in the 6-1 rout of Slovan Bratislava — the biggest winning margin of Matchday 1.
It's a strong start to PSG's title defense, with Ousmane Dembélé also on the scoresheet in that game.
A Debut Season Already Making an Impression
Como's Martin Baturina is the most notable name outside Europe's traditional powers, rewarded for his role in the club's stunning 4-1 win over RB Leipzig on their first-ever Champions League appearance.
Martin Ødegaard's inclusion comes after his 75th-minute winner gave Arsenal a statement away win over reigning Serie A champions Napoli.
The Rest of Matchday 1's Best
Michael Olisé's brace in Bayern's 5-0 demolition of Bodø/Glimt and Raphinha's contribution to Barcelona's 5-1 win over Feyenoord round out the attack, while Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois anchors the defense after a 2-1 win over Inter.
Catch up on the full opening round before Matchday 2 arrives on October 13-14.