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Europa League Team of the Round: Spurs and United stars shine in dramatic quarter-finals

Pedro Porro shone for Spurs in the Europa League quarter-finals
Pedro Porro shone for Spurs in the Europa League quarter-finalsBradley Collyer / PA Images / Profimedia
The Europa League quarter-finals are behind us with Manchester United scraping through after an epic comeback for the ages! Thanks to that, they have two representatives in our Europa League Team of the Round. But who else made the cut?

As always, we have built our team using Flashscore's internal player rating system. The criteria for selection were that players had to appear in both legs and play a minimum of 60 minutes combined.

Here is our latest Europa League Team of the Round:

Our Europa League team of the quarter-finals
Our Europa League team of the quarter-finalsFlashscore

Goalkeeper

Christos Mandas (Lazio) 7.4

Lazio keeper Christos Mandas was vital to his side in the quarter-finals, but ultimately, they went out to Bodo/Glimt on penalties in gutting fashion.

Out of 14 shots faced over both legs, Mandas turned away 11 attempts from his Norwegian opponents. In total, his expected goals saved value was 1.47, which means he almost prevented two goals as the Romans very nearly completed an incredible comeback.

Lazio were beaten by Bodo/Glimt on penalties
Lazio were beaten by Bodo/Glimt on penaltiesFlashscore

Defenders

Pedro Porro (Tottenham) 8.2

In the first leg, full-back Pedro Porro kept Spurs in the game when he equalised with a superb backheel shot to make it a 1-1 draw. Porro then contributed to only Guglielmo Vicario's third clean sheet this year in the return leg. 

The Spaniard had a 100% success rate in duels (six from six) and did not commit a foul once.

Christian Romero (Tottenham) 7.5

The boss of the Spurs' defence, Christian Romero, handled his role excellently in the quarters. In the second leg, Frankfurt didn't score in a competitive home game for the first time since March 2024, and Romero was responsible for that with a standout performance.

Romero made 10 clearances, four intercepted passes, one blocked shot, and he also created one great chance for his teammates in Frankfurt.

Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao) 7.5

Since Dani Vivian's return from injury, the Basque side's defence has been rock solid. Rangers did not make an impact in either of the games against them.

The Spanish stopper did narrowly escape some trouble, though. In the second leg, he pulled Cyril Desser in the penalty area in such a way that he tore his jersey. However, the referee did not give a penalty.

Midfield

Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham) 7.4

Rodrigo Bentancur is a hard-working midfielder who can win the ball (16 times against Frankfurt) but also has creativity towards the offensive end. In both legs for Spurs, he had over a 90% pass success rate.

Casemiro (Manchester United) 7.7

Casemiro looked have to recaptured his best days as Manchester United edged past Lyon in an unforgettable second leg at Old Trafford.

First, he won a penalty in extra time, after which United reduced the deficit to 4-3. He then notched an assist for Kobbie Mainoo's goal to make it 4-4 and then prompted Harry Maguire to complete the turnaround with a precise cross. All that saw him gain a match rating of 8.7 on the night.

Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt) 7.6

Besiktas are chasing Patrick Berg, and little wonder, as against Lazio, the Norwegian midfielder showed why he could leave the Arctic club for a second time.

He's not so productive in terms of goals, but he does a great job for his teammates. In both games, he sent over 40 passes into the final third of the pitch, 31 of which were on target.

Ulrik Saltnes (Bodo/Glimt) 7.7

Ulrik Saltnes has dedicated his entire career to the little Norwegian side and had one of his finest moments in the opening leg when he scored two goals in front of his adoring fans to clinch a sensational 2-0 win over Lazio.

Bodo/Glimt's Ulrik Saltnes celebrates scoring against Lazio in the first leg
Bodo/Glimt's Ulrik Saltnes celebrates scoring against Lazio in the first legLise Aserud / NTB / AFP

Forwards

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) 7.7

Once again, Bruno Fernandes proved he has the makings of a true leader. In the first game in the 88th minute, Bruno Fernandes' cross found Joshua Zirkzee, who scored to make it 2-1.

In the rematch, Fernandes took the burden of a penalty kick in extra time, converted it expertly and steered the Red Devils to the semi-finals.

Manchester United completed an unforgettable comeback
Manchester United completed an unforgettable comebackFlashscore

Rayan Cherki (Lyon) 7.8

Lyon's Rayan Cherki is in fantastic form. In his last 15 games, he has eight goals and 12 assists, only twice coming up empty.

Cherki scored in both games against United, but it wasn't enough for Lyon to progress, unfortunately. The silky Frenchman will be in great demand in the summer, that's for sure.

Nico Williams (Athletic Club) 7.7

Athletic Club's Nico Williams haunted Rangers' right side from the first moment in the second leg. He scored a goal in the second half to make it 2-0 when he ran to the far post and headed the ball into the net. 

In total, Williams attempted 20 dribbles across both games, almost half of which were successful.

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