UEFA has officially revealed its Team of the Week for the first leg of the Champions League playoffs, following a thrilling round of matches characterized by high-scoring action and tactical brilliance from Europe's top clubs. This round saw outstanding performances from several stars who helped their teams secure a place in the Round of 16 ahead of the decisive second legs.

Anthony Gordon... an extraordinary star

English star Anthony Gordon stole the show, establishing himself as the hero of the round after his phenomenal performance with Newcastle United. Gordon led his team to a resounding 6-1 away victory against Azerbaijani side Qarabag at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. Not only did Gordon contribute to the win, but he also scored four goals (a super hat-trick) on a historic night, confirming his remarkable development and his ability to be decisive in major European competitions.

Real Madrid's balance and defensive solidity

The lineup also featured a royal touch, with Frenchman Aurélien Tchouaméni securing his place in midfield, representing Real Madrid. This reflects his pivotal role in controlling the tempo of the game and winning back possession, a cornerstone of the Spanish club's strategy to compete for their favorite title. The significance of this selection underscores the value of defensive midfielders in knockout matches, which demand a delicate balance between defense and attack.

The context of the competition and the importance of the European supplement

The play-off matches for the Round of 16 are of paramount importance in the Champions League calendar, representing a crucial hurdle for teams aspiring to reach the final. The diversity of clubs in the ideal XI (from Germany, England, Turkey, Spain, and France) reflects the fierce competition and the close levels of skill, making it extremely difficult to predict the champion, especially with the emergence of promising young talents.

The complete list of the ideal lineup for the playoff round:

UEFA's selections were balanced across all positions, and included the following names:

• Goalkeeper: Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund).
• Defense: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen).
• Midfield: Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray), Christos Tzolis (Club Brugge).
• Forwards: Desiree Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Kasper Haig (Bodø/Glimt).

The match between Al-Ahli and Al-Najma, held as part of the 23rd round of the Roshan Professional League at Al-Inma Stadium, witnessed widespread controversy surrounding the referee's decision to overturn a penalty kick awarded to Al-Ahli. Jordanian refereeing expert, Ahmed Abu Khadija, intervened to resolve the dispute and clarify the validity of the decision made by the refereeing team and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

In exclusive statements to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija confirmed that the decision to cancel the penalty kick was absolutely correct. Abu Khadija explained the details of the incident, saying: "What happened was a natural and legitimate challenge for the ball between Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toni and the Al-Najma goalkeeper. The contact did not warrant a foul, and therefore the referee's decision to reverse the penalty decision after reviewing the play was the correct one, in accordance with the laws of the game.".

This incident occurred at a crucial point in the match, with Al-Najma leading 1-0, increasing the pressure on Al-Ahli's players. Ivan Toni, who had joined from the English Premier League in a highly anticipated transfer, was hoping to equalize, but the disallowed penalty kick denied him a golden opportunity to bring the team back into the game, especially as it would have been his first penalty kick for his new club.

In the broader context of the competition, the Roshan Professional League is gaining increasing importance locally, regionally, and internationally, given its attraction of elite international football stars. With the heightened level of competition, refereeing decisions are now under greater scrutiny and analysis than ever before. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology plays a pivotal role in ensuring fair competition, contributing to the correction of influential decisions that could alter the course of matches, as was the case in the Al-Ahli vs. Al-Najma game.

Al-Ahli, as one of the giants of Saudi football, faces immense pressure from fans and the media in every match, with supporters demanding victories and a strong challenge for titles. Matches like these, against teams that may appear less prestigious on paper, serve as a true test of the team's mental and technical readiness to overcome obstacles and cope with unexpected turns of play, including adverse refereeing decisions and falling behind in the score.

In the world of football, there are distances measured in meters, and others measured in nerves of steel and emotional stability. Just 11 meters from the goal, English star Ivan Toni forged his own legend; a legend of unwavering composure and a piercing gaze that unnerved goalkeepers before the ball even left the penalty spot. But, as in all sporting triumphs, even the most accurate shots can miss their mark, and that's exactly what happened on a night that Al-Ahli fans never expected.

First missed goal in Al Ahly jersey in the Roshan League

In a nail-biting encounter between Al-Ahli and Al-Najma in the Saudi Professional League, hearts stopped for a moment when Ivan Toni stepped up to take a penalty kick. Al-Ahli fans, accustomed to celebrating before the shot, confident in their striker, missed the opportunity, marking his first penalty miss for Al-Ahli and his first overall in two years and ten months. This moment, though fleeting in the context of the match, carried significant weight in terms of the player's individual statistics.

A rare history of failures: only 3 stations

To grasp the magnitude of the surprise, one must consider the player's historical record. The number of penalties Toni missed throughout his professional career can be counted on one hand, and they are so rare that they are documented:

• 2018: Wearing the Peterborough United shirt against Barnsley in the English First Division.
• 2023: With Brentford vs Newcastle United in the Premier League.
• 2026: With Al-Ahli Saudi against Al-Najma in the Saudi League.

The end of a golden series and the impact of the event

Before that penalty against Al-Najma, Tony had a terrifying record for goalkeepers, having reached 26 consecutive penalties without a miss (including 24 consecutive official penalties with Al-Ahly without a miss, in addition to two successful penalty shootouts). This record made the word "miss" seem foreign to fans when associated with his name.

This incident comes amidst the intense competition of the Saudi League, where small details often decide big matches. Toni's missed penalty doesn't redefine his abilities; on the contrary, it underscores the difficulty of what he has achieved over the past years. Maintaining a perfect record for so long, amidst the pressure of fans and fierce competition, is no ordinary feat; it's a mental and psychological achievement before it's a technical one. This "unfailing miss" confirms the player's humanity and increases the fans' appreciation for his previous consistency, with them anticipating his return to his favorite pastime of scoring from the penalty spot in upcoming matches.