It is interesting that the face of the 'POTM (Player Of The Match)' award winner, given to the most outstanding player in the match, is filled with gloom.

On the 16th (Korean time), in Germany and England, the second leg of the quarterfinals of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League (UCL) was held, featuring Dortmund vs. Barcelona and Aston Villa vs. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

In the match between Dortmund and Barcelona, the home team Dortmund won 3-1. However, Dortmund had lost the first leg 0-4, leading to an overall loss of 3-5 on aggregate across both legs and thus failing to progress to the semifinals. The team that smiled brightly despite losing the match was Barcelona.

The most notable player in this match was Seru Girashi (29, Dortmund). Girashi scored a hat trick with three goals and received the POTM from UEFA. However, his hat trick lost its shine as the team was eliminated.

In the match between Aston Villa and PSG, the home team Aston Villa emerged victorious with a 3-2 comeback win. However, PSG, which had won the first leg 3-1, also defeated Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate across both legs, savoring the joy of advancing to the semifinals.

The match POTM went to Ousmane Dembélé (28), who provided the pass for PSG's second goal that day. However, footage emerged on social media of Dembélé refusing the trophy on the field, generating buzz.

In fact, PSG lost that day, and Dembélé's presence was not as striking as in other matches. Moreover, the team suffered a comeback loss. Most fans appeared puzzled by Dembélé's award. This seemed to be felt by Dembélé himself as well.

What's interesting is the expressions of the two stars who received the POTM award, which UEFA revealed on the same day. It is an award received in the UCL, which could be a lifelong family honor. However, the photos of the two stars posted on UEFA's official social media showed a gloomy expression, as if they reluctantly received the award.

Fans also commented, "Dembélé's expression reads 'embarrassed,'" "his face says it all," and "a face that shows he didn’t deserve it," indicating their understanding of the players.

[OSEN]