With the round-of-16 first legs complete, Nick Ames picks the best Champions League XI.
Do you agree? Have your say in the comments below.
Goalkeeper - Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City)
Leicester are somehow still alive and kicking in their tie against Sevilla, but it might have been a different story had Schmeichel not put in potentially one of his most important performances for the club. His penalty save from Joaquin Correa was added to with a string of other important stops -- and he was a commanding, demanding presence throughout, at one stage holding an inquest among his players during an injury stoppage to see how they could stem the home side's tide.
Right-back - Thomas Meunier (PSG)
What was particularly impressive about Meunier's performance in an extraordinary collective effort by PSG against Barcelona was that, while he was supremely effective marauding forward, he picked his moments carefully. The Belgian had already caused problems with a couple of surges upfield when, seeing the space open up, he carried the ball into the opposition half and played Edinson Cavani in for the fourth goal. At the back, he was part of a unit that gave Barca virtually no encouragement.
Centre-back - Presnel Kimpembe (PSG)
Barcelona's forward line might have been licking their lips at the sight of Kimpembe, just 21 and playing a Champions League game for the first time, in PSG's side with the influential Thiago Silva absent. But Kimpembe was outstanding, winning his physical battles throughout, and one second-half tackle on Lionel Messi on the edge of the area -- leaving the forward on the floor before carrying the ball forward -- sticks in the memory. On this evidence, Kimpembe has a big future.
Centre-back - Luisao (Benfica)
It might seem something of a sentimental vote given that Luisao's appearance against Borussia Dortmund was his 500th for Benfica -- and 376th as captain -- but he crowned it by anchoring the Portuguese team to a vital clean sheet in their 1-0 first-leg win. Even better, he created Kostas Mitroglou's winner, nodding the ball to the far post for the striker to convert. Luisao, who turned 36 the day before the game, is still going strong and stands on the brink of a quarterfinal appearance.
Left-back - Sergio Escudero (Sevilla)
Escudero sometimes seems slightly underrated. Against Leicester, he was influential to Sevilla's attacking play, starting from a very high position for a full-back, and solid in his own half when required. His cross for Pablo Sarabria's opening goal -- full of whip and dip -- was virtually undefendable and he continued to cause problems all night for Jorge Sampaoli's free-flowing side.
Central midfield - Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Real thoroughly deserved their 3-1 first-leg win over an attacking but exposed Napoli side, and Casemiro's goal -- a potentially decisive third -- will live long in the memory. His volley could not have been any more sweetly struck, flying into the far corner from fully 30 yards, and capped a showing in which he started a number of dangerous attacks for Zinedine Zidane's side. "When I struck the ball I I wanted to smash it," he said afterwards of an effort that may not be bettered this year.
Central midfield - Marco Verratti (PSG)
What a player Verratti is when fit and on song. Alongside Adrien Rabiot and Blaise Matuidi, both of whom were also outstanding, he dominated Barcelona's midfield and picked Luis Enrique's side apart all night with some incisive, perceptive passing. The ball that set up PSG's second goal, scored by Julian Draxler, was perfectly weighted and was characteristic of the Italian's entire performance. On this form, there are few better.
Attacking midfield - Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)
Carlo Ancelotti said Alcantara produced "a perfect performance" against Arsenal and he was not far from the mark. The Gunners looked there for the taking as soon as Robert Lewandowski put Bayern 2-1 ahead and Alcantara took full advantage, quickly scoring a well-taken goal from the striker's backheel and adding another with a deflected shot from long range. The Spaniard was a quick-footed, probing threat all night and ensured the tie is probably well beyond Arsenal.
Right forward - Kylian Mbappe (Monaco)
The 18-year-old Mbappe looks destined for stardom and produced a thrilling performance at the Etihad for a swashbuckling Monaco side. Mbappe rasped in a fine goal to put Monaco 2-1 up and his rapid pace was a threat throughout. He became the youngest French player to score in the knockout stage of the Champions League -- and it seems a safe bet that there will be plenty more to come.
Left forward - Angel Di Maria (PSG)
Was this the best performance of Di Maria's career? It is hard to think of a more sparkling one and he picked his 29th birthday as the occasion for it. Di Maria's radar was switched on from the first minute against Barcelona and when he floated in a perfect free kick it was little surprise; his second goal, dancing towards the edge of the box before curling into the top corner, was even better. This was irresistible stuff and a performance half as good would be enough in the second leg.
Centre-forward - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
There has been plenty of speculation about Aguero's future, but City would be hard pressed to find another matchwinner like him. They were on the rack against Monaco and Aguero, flying into tackles and harrying opponents, was in the mood to turn the tide. He was irrepressible on an evening when opponent Radamel Falcao also shone. If his first goal owed plenty to poor goalkeeping by Danijel Subasic, his second was expertly taken and his late assist for Leroy Sane confirmed that this was his, and City's, night.