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The first-leg fixtures of the Champions League Round Of 16 fixtures concluded on Wednesday as Lyon defied the odds to hand Juventus their first defeat in the European tournament this season. Elsewhere, Manchester City also earned a vital victory away from home by beating Real Madrid 2-1.
As we all know, the Champions League never fails to produce a spark, which is why it is the most coveted competition in club football. From the first matchday of the group stage down to the current Round Of 16 level, we've had plenty of takeaways and enjoyed many fantastic displays from our favorite superstars.
Some of these players have shown us that they mean business with their electrifying performances. They've dominated the headlines and helped to fire their respective teams to multiple victories while achieving notable feats in the process. Without further ado, below are four superstars who are stealing the show in Europe's elite tournament this term:
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#4 Dries Mertens
When we talk of the top-performing Serie A player in the Champions League at the moment, many will quickly mention Juventus talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo. However, if the stats are anything go by, there's another superstar from the Italian top-flight who is leaving the Portuguese forward behind. Step forward Dries Mertens.
The Napoli star has been one of the top performers since the Champions League kicked-off this season. His efforts for the Italian club during the group stage in which he found the back of the net against the defending champions, Liverpool, across two legs deserve some plaudits.
He found the back of the net once again as the Serie A giants were held to a 1-1 draw versus Barcelona in the first leg of their Round Of 16 tie on Tuesday. Mertens currently ranks among the top finishers in the European tournament, with his record of six goals from seven matches earning him the right to occupy the fourth spot in the top scorers' ranking.
Also Read: Lyon 1-0 Juventus: 3 reasons why the Bianconeri lost the game | UEFA Champions League 2019-20
#3 Serge Gnabry
This is a name that many Premier League fans will easily recognise. Serge Gnabry spent some time in London with Arsenal before leaving as an average player in 2016. He spent a year at Werder Bremen before leaving for Bayern Munich, with whom he is currently making waves in the Champions League.
The attacking midfielder stormed the football world when he struck four past Tottenham Hotspur in the group stage and he came back again to remind us of his incredible class with a brace in the 3-0 victory over Chelsea on Tuesday. It appears he has some unfinished business with London clubs that he has revisited this season.
Gnabry's name has been on the front page of major football newspapers throughout this week. The German is, without doubt, one of the most influential figures in Bayern's Champions League push this season. He's bagged an amazing six goals for the Bavarians in six outings so far and he's expected to improve that tally in the coming weeks.
#2 Erling Haaland
The fairytale continues for Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has been by far, the biggest revelation this season. If there's any lesson we can learn from the 19-year-old, it is simply that you don't need to have the most experience to shine on the biggest stage in club football.
Haaland's record in front of goal this term is putting many top attackers to shame. He started his European campaign with RB Salzburg where he bagged eight goals from six appearances before he was lured to Signal Iduna Park by Borussia Dortmund. He's been on the upward trajectory since he made that famous switch
The attacker dominated the headlines after bagging two impressive efforts for the BVB as they defeated Paris Saint Germain 2-1 in their Round Of 16 encounter last week. That is the same number of goals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have in the UCL this term. In total, Haaland has 10 efforts in Europe this season, just one below Robert Lewandowski, who tops the goalscoring charts. He is surely one to keep an eye on.
#1 Robert Lewandowski
It wouldn't be far-fetched to say Robert Lewandowski has been the best finisher in Europe behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the past few years. As a matter of fact, what the Polish International is doing this season is beyond imagination. The stats do the judgment.
Lewandowski has been a huge problem to opposing defences in the Champions League this season, tearing them apart and making goalkeepers look helpless as he fires the ball into the net. He emerged the top scorer from the group stage with a record of 10 goals from five matches and he isn't slowing down yet.
The Bayern Munich striker bagged a goal and an assist as the Bavarians humiliated Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford on Tuesday. Following that effort, Lewy now has a total of 11 goals from six UCL games this season, which places him comfortably at the top of the goalscoring charts. With such a brilliant start, he stands a great chance to go home with the Golden Shoe come the end of the term.
