The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has unveiled its Team of the Week for Matchday Two of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, with Liverpool forward Bradley Barcola, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal among the standout selections.
The team, selected by UEFA’s Technical Observer Group and presented by Hyundai, recognises the players who delivered exceptional performances during a dramatic round of fixtures that produced 78 goals across 18 matches.
Barcola emerged as one of the biggest winners after scoring a hat-trick in Liverpool’s emphatic 6-3 victory over LASK in Austria. The French forward was also named Player of the Week following his influential display.
UEFA selected players from 11 different clubs, reflecting the variety of impressive performances recorded across the second round of league-phase matches.
The official Team of the Week consists of Stas Pokatilov in goal, with Maximiliano Araújo, Henrik Falchener, Jeff Chabot and Fredrik Sjøvold forming the defensive line. Johan Manzambi and Vitinha occupy midfield, while Bradley Barcola, Harry Kane, Nicolò Tresoldi and Lamine Yamal complete the attacking selection.
Pokatilov earned his place after helping Azerbaijani side Sabah secure a historic 2-0 victory over Slavia Prague. The goalkeeper made six saves, preventing approximately 1.4 expected goals, according to UEFA’s analysis of the match. His outstanding stop against Lukáš Provod while Sabah led 1-0 proved particularly important in preserving the advantage.
In defence, Sporting CP’s Araújo impressed during his side’s 2-0 away victory over Lens. The full-back combined aggressive defending with effective ball recovery, helping Sporting maintain control against their French opponents.
Falchener was rewarded for his disciplined performance as Viking held Bayern Munich to a 3-3 draw. The defender made six blocks, more than any other player during Matchday Two, as his team worked to contain Bayern’s dangerous attacking players.
Stuttgart centre-back Jeff Chabot also earned recognition after helping his side secure a clean sheet in a 3-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava. He made 11 clearances, blocked three shots and won all his duels and tackles, including five aerial challenges.
Sjøvold completed the defensive selection after scoring the only goal in Bodø/Glimt’s 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund. His contribution went beyond the decisive strike, as he also played an important role in his team’s attacking movements and defensive organisation.
In midfield, Manzambi enjoyed a memorable performance for Aston Villa against Fenerbahçe. The young midfielder marked his 21st birthday by scoring his first Champions League goal in Villa’s commanding 6-0 victory. He also impressed with his forward passing and work without the ball.
Vitinha earned his place after helping Paris Saint-Germain defeat Manchester City 4-2 in England. The Portuguese midfielder scored a technically impressive goal and played a central role in PSG’s control of possession during the first half.
Barcelona’s Yamal was another prominent inclusion after influencing his team’s 4-1 victory over Galatasaray. The teenager supplied assists for two second-half goals, first delivering an excellent cross before using his dribbling ability to help create another scoring opportunity.
His performance underlined his growing importance to Barcelona’s attack, with his creativity and ability to beat defenders proving difficult for Galatasaray to contain.
Kane also secured a place in the selected XI following his influential display in Bayern’s 3-3 draw against Viking. The England captain scored twice and produced an excellent pass to set up Vincent Kompany’s team’s third goal. His scoring streak in the Champions League also extended to nine consecutive matches.
Tresoldi completed the forward line after scoring a hat-trick in Club Brugge’s remarkable 4-3 victory over Inter Milan at San Siro. The striker impressed not only with his finishing but also with his movement, hold-up play and ability to connect with teammates.
Barcola’s selection was particularly notable because his hat-trick helped Liverpool overcome a difficult away test against LASK. The Frenchman repeatedly exploited spaces behind the defence, using his pace and one-on-one ability to trouble the Austrian side throughout the encounter.
The wider round also featured Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 comeback victory against Roma, Aston Villa’s six-goal demolition of Fenerbahçe and PSG’s comeback win over Manchester City.
These results highlighted the unpredictable nature of the competition’s league phase, where individual performances can have a decisive impact on the outcome of matches.
UEFA’s Team of the Week is selected after each matchday to recognise outstanding individual contributions across the competition. The next team will be announced following Matchday Three.
