No Messi In The List – Combined Best XI Of The Champions League Group Stages
Every year, teams across various leagues battle it out to not only win the league title but also to secure a qualifying spot for the Champions League. For years, it has been regarded as Europe’s most elite competition and it truly does have the potential to either make or break a team’s reputation.
This season, the group stages proved to be quite entertaining and with the highly-anticipated Round of 16 matches coming up, here is a look at a combined XI of the best players from the group stages.
Champions League Best XI Of Group Stages In A 4-4-2
Ibrahim Sehic (GK)
The Qarabag shot-stopper made an astonishing 34 saves in 6 games. He left his competitors quite far behind and although he shipped in 14 goals, nothing can diminish his achievement.
Dani Alves (RB)
Alves was a part of all 6 games for PSG and he scored twice, against Bayern Munich and Celtic. His tackles and interceptions were integral to the French giants’ remarkable defensive performance in the competition’s group stage.
John Stones (CB)
Stones was a remarkable presence for Manchester City at the back. Also, the player netted a total of 3 goals, in matches against Feyenoord and Napoli.
Samuel Umtiti (CB)
Umtiti played an integral role in being a part of the defence that conceded only one goal in five games, and that speaks for his skills.
Layvin Kurzawa (LB)
The Paris Saint-Germain left-back scored a brilliant hat-trick against Anderlecht in what was an unforgettable night for the Parisians.
Fred (CM)
The deep-lying playmaker was tasked with tough duties as he set out to play for Shakhtar Donetsk against the likes of Manchester City and Napoli. Yet, he was the glue that held his side together, which eventually saw them progress into the Round of 16.
Eden Hazard (CAM)
One might argue that Philippe Coutinho is more deserving but truth be told, Chelsea were in a far more tougher group than the Reds. Hazard delivered for his club. His brace against AS Roma was perhaps his best display in the group stage this season.
Neymar (LW)
PSG paid an exorbitant amount of money for the Brazilian but he has proven to be a solid investment. He scored 6 goals and 3 assists to send the French club flying into the next round.
Mohamed Salah (RW)
Not only did Salah score 5 goals – he actually scored a goal against every opponent Liverpool faced in the group stages. He has easily been Liverpool’s best signing of the summer so far.
Harry Kane (CF)
Kane is widely regarded as England’s best striker at the moment but in the group stages, he established himself as one of Europe’s best as well. He netted 6 goals and provided 2 assists for Tottenham.
Cristiano Ronaldo (CF)
Nobody has many haters or fans as much as Ronaldo does but nothing seems to stop him from producing results. The Real Madrid frontman scored a whopping 9 goals in the group stage games even though he has been struggling in the La Liga.