The Champions League Team of the Year (Part I)

We put together a side that would probably beat any other team in the competition.

With the Champions League final edging closer and closer, this is the time to call up the best players of this year’s campaign to take their places in our Champions League Team of the year 2015. The line-up we sketched up might be a bit too

• The best defenders in the game
• The most creative backs
• A midfielder that never stops

offensive for conservative punters of online sportsbooks in the EU, however as the defending section includes some of the best players in the business too, this eleven would be able to beat any team coming its way. Though there aren’t any magnates in football who could afford to acquire all the players listed.

1. Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)

The Belgian was considered amongst the best goalkeepers in Europe when he was on loan at Atletico, yet it wasn’t even clear that he would start in Chelsea’s goal when he returned to London last summer. However, he established himself as a starter right after his arrival, and became an English champion in his first Premier League season. He was also spectacular in the Champions League conceding four goals in five matches, but unlucky to eliminate against Paris Saint-Germain on away goals after extra time as early as the round of 16.

2. Dani Alves (Barcelona)

It was expected before the season, considering that he was over his peak by then, that the Brazilian’s Barcelona career will definitely end this summer. Yet Dani Alves came up with a great season, he seems to be back to his best and maybe he won’t even leave Catalonia in the near future. English clubs are queuing in front of the Camp Nou hoping to snatch his autograph nevertheless, but he has unfinished business to complete a treble against Juventus in the Champions League final.

3. Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)

The Uruguayan was a pillar in Atletico’s defence once again, though this campaign did not last as long as the one did twelve months ago. Atletico Madrid reached the quarterfinals to be defeated by their city rival Real Madrid 1-0 on aggregate. This scoreline though outlines how astonishingly solid the backline commanded by Godin was. They have conceded only two goals in their last nine Champions League appearances and only one in their last three, as many who bet on sports in the EU would recall. They still lacked something to beat Real Madrid however, maybe a goal from Godin himself, who headed Atletico’s only goal in the final against the Blancos last year.

4. Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)

The Italian defender is only 30, though it feels like he was playing in Juve’s defence since forever. His experience, enthusiasm and physical presence were significant contributors to the Old Lady’s campaign that resulted in their first Champions League final in twelve years. Though the above factors would apply virtually every Juve player, maybe Chiellini is the one who symbolize the Italians’ fighting spirit that enables them to compete against the best teams in the world.

5. Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid’s Brazilian left back had a key role in the Champions League campaign once again scoring one goal, assisting another two and producing two Man of the Match performances on the go. He was Real’s best player even in the home game against Juventus, where the title defenders were eliminated by the Italians. Marcelo is an important player for Real when taking on a defensive side, joining to the attacks and creating chances cutting in from the left. Had Gareth Bale been looking like a more crucial forward striking after any of the balls sent in from the left in that game, Marcelo would be preparing for his second Champions League final appearance in a row.

6. Arturo Vidal (Juventus)

The Chilean is the ultimate powerhouse of the Juventus midfield. He usually plays as the tip of Juve’s midfield diamond creating chaos in the attacking third and guarding the backline when needed. However his number one feature is the willingness and ability to press he demonstrated on international level many times so far, and which is also a key contributor to the way the Old Lady tries to confuse its opponent’s players. The mobile betting audience should mind that his performance could be vital in the Champions League final against Barcelona too.

We will discuss the attackers in the next part, completing the side that would make it for a World XI without any problems. Though we have to note that maybe one ball only won’t be enough for the offensive line that only includes players valued at prices similar to whole squads of some lesser sides playing in the Champions League.