A rough week of football in the Champions League quarter-finals has narrowed the list of crown contenders from 8 to four.
Only Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Lyon continue to compete to win the trophy, and the club has only two top-of-glory matches.
We tried to build the most productive XI imaginable from the remaining cast of players, opting for a mix of established talents and those who offered remarkable performances in the latter stages of the competition.
There is a caveat, to prevent you from getting bored: we have limited the options to a maximum of 3 according to the club. This saved him from being a clichéd-of-star team built on the strength of the call and allowed us to show some creativity with who he ranked where.
BY: Anthony Lopes, Lyon
Lopes is an intelligent goalkeeper and a very sensible artist; you’re used to Array … beautify tackles, say, throwing his body towards the ball in a dramatic way.
He hasn’t been too busy in the 16-year-old circular so far, as the five-man defensive line in front of him has taken out the area and put in a big blockage and tackle replacement, however, forged when he called, his highlight is probably taking place in the form of free-kick stops against Juventus and Manchester City.
With restrictions of players in line with the club in the variety of this XI, and given the highest quality off-field of the ranks of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in particular, Lopes is the ultimate logical selection between the clubs.
RB: Konrad Laimer, RB Leipzig
Known as an area-to-area midfielder with N’Golo Kante-style resistance, Laimer was deployed in a right-back role for RB Leipzig opposite Atletico Madrid (when they had the ball), riding Marcel Sabitzer, appearing on the back post and taunting on the cross.
That’s a sufficient excuse to come with him as a right-back here; to be honest, Laimer is the kind of central midfielder whose skills translate well on a side, and sing his praises on what has been a sensational crusade for him in 2019. -20 Matrix
Your letters are your letters. It is ideal for Leipzig’s highly flexible system.
CB: Dayot Upamecano, RB Leipzig
Upamecano is a primary in Leipzig’s 2–1 win over Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals. Its dominant functionality in the lag completely nullened Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata, attracting the attention of the world.
He’s a central defense threat taker, he sticks hard at his boy and bites forward to intercept or transparent, and it’s because he knows he has a remarkable recovery speed, supporting himself to return and transparent at the time if he loses the first.
Against Atletico, there is no time; he controlled each and every one and every center, each and every one and every one and every deep ball and every and every stop masterfully, the first time, preventing Diego Simeone’s men from going on the hunt with a real goal risk.
Upamecano produced a similar performance against Bayern Munich in February, playing a role in keeping them in a 0-0 draw. It’s the only match of 2020 that Bayern haven’t won.
This child loves the big events and will be one of the most productive in the world instead.
CB: Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain
We’ve noticed Marquinhos in the midfield rather than in the central defender this season, but essentially he’s still a central defender and fits perfectly into our XI there.
Gradually he has become one of the most productive defensive players in the world, gaining the benefits of tactical acumen to lead the line, physical diversity to face any opponent and the convenience of owning to enter the midfield permanently if necessary.
At the age of 26, he came of age to his post and knocked on the door of elite defenders.
LB: Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich
Davies’ impressive rise and skill are no longer a secret. What he did in Barcelona in the quarter-finals broke the Internet, making sure that even the casual top amateur knew his name.
It is a transformative year for the Canadian, who began the 2019-2020 crusade as a reserve winger, in October he became an emergency left-back, and until February he ranked as one of the most productive in the global in that position.
Over the more than two years, the debate about “who is the most productive left-back in the world?” he presented two names, Andy Robertson and Jordi Alba, but last week we would have probably noticed that Davies impersonated Alba in the hierarchy.
Speed, dribble, attack instincts combined with a ridiculous ability for Array… no one has yet discovered an answer.
CM: Marcel Sabitzer, RB Leipzig
There’s not much Sabitzer can’t do.
The 2019-2020 season marked him as one of the players of maximum flexibility in the game, capable of any midfield or tactical role, providing discipline, speed of painting and impeccable quality wherever it is deployed.
You will not forget the goal he scored against Zenit St. Petersburg in the organizing stage, a volley deformed off the shoe, and was one of 16 purposes in all competitions. In addition, there were 11 assists, the last of which was an exact center for Dani Olmo’s first goal in the quarter-finals.
Their production grades have been superb, but above all, they go hand in hand with a massive tactic and control of the game.
CM: Houssem Aouar, Lyon
Perhaps the noted Lyon player opposite Juventus and Manchester City, Aouar enchants the global with his combination of silky ball carrier and tenacious defence.
Lyon coach Rudi Garcia ordered a cautious game plan for his three centre-backs, which Aouar operated on the left, asking them to stay close to the defensive line and painting hard to press and the ball.
Once they have won it, Aouar is the one who has the right to dribble, dazzle and wander; it can slalom out of danger with the ball and make a pass, and is quick to push and his attackers when they want a midfield.
Goal.com, among others, previously reported this summer that it could be available for 50 million euros. His exploits in the circular of the 16 and the quarter-finals deserve to have boosted that value, otherwise it is an absolute cut worthwhile.
OR: Thomas Muller, Bayern Munich
A guy who is reborn this season, Muller has even reached the 2014 edition of himself who would be very impressed.
His 14 goals and 26 assists in that period are a testament to his effect and power for Bayern, who enjoyed a remarkable resurgence under the influence of Hansi Flick.
In a way, he has returned to his old self: able and decide the spaces in which to materialize, follow the course of the game and hit at the right time.
His date on the court with Robert Lewandowski has something special; He has helped the Polish striker 8 times in the Bundesliga in 2019-20, according to WhoScored.com, and his one-on-two match against Barcelona sets the defender apart.
AM: Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain
When Neymar’s attention narrows, his eyes on the price, not much can be done to prevent it: Atalanta found out the hard way last week.
He finished 16 ridiculous dribbles in that match, according to WhoScored.com, tying Lionel Messi’s record in an unmarried game in the Champions League when he smashed the Italian defender.
This is the first time in years that has compatibility and must participate in this point of the competition, and takes the PSG to a whole new point when present.
Their final touch opposed Atalanta, but he laid the foundation for the win, putting the team on their backs until Kylian Mbappé arrived, and then created the two purpose scenarios that saw them qualify for the semi-finals.
His frantic celebrations at the last hiss proved it more than any word.
LW: Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain
Mbappé recovered from an ankle injury to give the PSG 30 minutes against Atalanta, and the 30 minutes replaced the game’s face. If you ever want to know how smart elite players are, look at the paintings of their groups without them for a moment!
Mbappé’s speed, candor and timing shattered Atalanta’s right side. He repelled Hans Hateboer and constantly broke the area, giving Neymar a purpose pass and offering the winning hand at the end.
We’ve reached the level where Mbappé is one of the five most sensitive players in world football, a true game changer and a game plan destroyer, the type of player it takes two or more men to be more sensible. The fact that the PSG has two of those boys is the explanation for why they are a true contender for the crown.
ST: Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich
He’s the Lewandowski who’s ever been.
He has been quite a striker and since 2012 is close or in the most sensible of the game, however, the 2020 edition of it is even a higher level.
His good finish opposed Barcelona in the quarter-finals his 54th goal of the season in all competitions, his dismissal for Muller’s opening of his ninth assist. It is the epicenter of the ultimate damaging and fluid attack in world football; his sharp shot has reached new degrees of damage.
In recent weeks, there have been cries that the cancellation of the 2020 Ballon d’Or has put Lewandowski at a disadvantage from what would be his first trophy win. Given the evidence we have to date, it’s hard not to agree with that feeling.
He is the only selection to lead the line of our XI and the best score to finish.
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All statistics through Transfermarkt.co.uk, unless otherwise indicated.
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