The UEFA Champions League is set to come to a close on Saturday evening as underdogs Borussia Dortmund take on favourites Real Madrid in the long-awaited final at Wembley Stadium.
As the competition is set to finish, it is time to look back at the best-performing players over the duration of the previous rounds. In this article, we’re going to do just that as we take a look at the best-performing XI of the 2023/24 Champions League season:
GK – Andriy Lunin
Lunin has been superb for Real Madrid across all competitions this season, but particularly in the Champions League.
After starting the campaign as the third choice behind Thibaut Courtois and Kepa Arrizabalaga, he eventually earned his place as the starting keeper following an injury to Courtois and a series of phenomenal performances.
He has saved 4.20 shots per 90 with a save percentage of 77.8%, ranking him among the top 10 per cent, and he has arguably produced the two-best performances of any keeper with an 8.78 rating in a 1-0 win against RB Leipzig with nine saves and kept Manchester City to just one goal from 33 shots before saving two penalties to help his side progress into the semi-finals.
RB – Joao Cancelo
Cancelo’s all-round ability has helped him to not only be the best-performing right-back in the team, but also the sixth highest rated player in the competition this season.
Two goals put him in the top two per cent of all full-backs, while 439 passes and 13 chances created rank him in the top four per cent and his 29 successful dribbles is the most of any player in his position. Furthermore, 22 tackles, 76 duels won and 19 interceptions are the most of any full-back in the competition.
CB – Mats Hummels
The 35-year-old has excelled at centre-back this campaign, recording the most recoveries, blocks, interceptions, duels won and tackles won of any player in his position, while also ranking in the top three per cent for aerial duels won.
His quality in possession has also been a vital factor in Dortmund’s progression to the final with seven dribbles, 863 touches, 44 accurate long balls and 562 successful passes all being amongst the best of any player.
CB – Pepe
Pepe is the second of the veteran centre-back partnership and the 41-year-old has been outstanding in the Champions League, all while breaking records for being the oldest outfield player and oldest-ever goalscorer in the competition.
LB – David Raum
Raum takes the left-back spot in this team with the German’s attacking output being amongst the best in the competition and certainly the best in his position.
Three assists and 20 successful crosses is the best of any player in his position in the competition, while 20 chances created ranks him among the top two per cent.
CM – Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino is one of the best performers across the board from the middle of the park this year, recording in the top 10 per cent or higher for all goals, shots, successful dribbles, touches in the opposition box, duels won, aerial duels won, blocks and recoveries.
CM – Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham’s first season at Real Madrid has marked him as one of the top performers across all competitions, and that is no different in the Champions League with Bellingham recording the fifth-highest rating.
Four goals and a joint-competition-high four assists show his phenomenal attacking output for his new side, with 482 passes also ranking him at the top of the pack for his position. 19 successful dribbles, eight tackles won, 64 duels won and seven interceptions are just some of the other stats that Bellingham ranks amongst the best in the competition.
CAM – Phil Foden
Foden has stepped up to become Man City’s standout player this season, earning himself the Player of the Season award in the English Premier League and coming close to doing the same in this competition as he recorded the third-best rating of any player.
Five goals and three assists is a fantastic return for the 24-year-old in just 685 minutes, the least of the attackers in this list, and his defensive output can’t be ignored either with him winning the ball back seven times in the opposition third, ranking in the top eight per cent.
RW – Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann ranks as the second best in this list with a 7.73 rating, just 0.01 lower than Vinicius Junior.
Six goals is the second most in the competition and he added an assist to take his goal contributions to a fantastic seven in 10 matches, and with 2.96 chances created, 1.53 successful crosses and 2.41 accurate long balls per 90 he ranks as the top performer in his position.
ST – Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe leads the line in this team with eight goals in 12 appearances, joint most in the competition alongside Harry Kane. While the Frenchman couldn’t drag PSG to the final, his performances certainly warrant a place in the best-performing side of the season.
Alongside his goals, he recorded the most shots of any player in his position, and despite not recording an assist he ranked as the top performer for most expected assists with 3.57 from 26 chances created.
LW – Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior leads the way for the highest match rating of any player to have played in the competition this season, recording a 7.74 rating across his nine appearances according to WhoScored.
The forward has played a hand in the second-most goals of any player in the competition with nine contributions, only Harry Kane has more with 12, thanks to five goals and four assists. He has also recorded the most successful dribbles of any player, has the most touches in the opposition area and has created a massive 19 chances, ranking him in the top four per cent.
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