Two New Stars Light Up Champions League

You couldn’t pick a bigger stage to make a name for yourself than UEFA’s Champions League. When a European minnow is pitted against a traditional superpower like Liverpool or Inter Milan, one tricky move or decisive goal can instantly transform you from a no-name footballer into the hottest property around. That was certainly the case this week when two previously-unheralded footballers showed the rest of Europe their true talent.

Stevan Jovetic: This wunderkind’s name was on the lips of everyone this week after his scintillating display for Fiorentina against Liverpool. The 19-year-old Montenegran ran the Reds defense ragged, scoring two goals that suddenly throw Liverpool’s qualification campaign into disarray. With “Jo-Jo” drawing comparisons to Fiorentina legend Roberto Baggio, a number of big clubs have been sniffing around including Juventus and Manchester United – but word is that La Viola have already begun contract negotiations to tie the mop-headed sensation to the club until 2014.

Jovetic - Curly-haired star is born

Alejandro Dominguez: At 28 years old, Dominguez has been plying his trade for nearly a decade longer than Jovetic. And despite being once the most expensive transfer in the Russian Premier League, the Argentine forward has managed to stay out of the limelight. But that’s about to change. Dominguez scored a brilliant opener for Rubin Kazan against Inter Milan, putting the Italian champions on the back foot for the rest of the game. Now, who’s to say Dominguez won’t finally earn the call-up to the national team that he’s been dreaming about?

Dominguez - Creeping out of the shadows with Rubin Kazan