FC Porto’s 5-0 thumping of reigning English champions Leicester City and two late goals from Borussia Dortmund to clinch top spot in Group F were some of the major highlights of the final group stage games in this year’s UEFA Champions League group stage. The competition has witnessed a number of dramatic encounters with a few surprise inclusions into the round of 32.
With Arsenal finally topping their group and Sevilla vacating the Europa League trophy after three long years, we draw curtains to this year's group stages. Many of the tournament regulars proceeded into the knockout stages with relative ease. There were a few standout performers and hence, let us take a look at the best XI from the group stages:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
One of the least surprising entries in our list, Slovenian shot-stopper Jan Oblak, conceded just two goals in 540 minutes of football. He made a total of 20 saves. Facing the champions of Germany, Russia, and Netherlands, Oblak commanded his box to perfection and pulled off a string of stunning saves to deny the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Luciano Narsingh, and Douglas Costa.
The former Benfica man is ranked third in the punches tally and has four clean sheets to his name, one behind Sevilla’s Sergio Rico. Although Oblak’s domestic performances have let him down this season, he saved his best for Europe and delivered when the team needed him the most. If Atletico are to replicate last season’s heroics, the Slovenian will be called upon time and again to replicate his group stage antics.
Defenders:
Left Back: Ludwig Augustinsson (FC Kobenhavn)
The young Swede made a name for himself on the biggest stage of club football. 22-year-old Ludwig Augustinsson was part of a Copenhagen defence that kept four clean sheets. Gifted with blistering pace, the left-back made marauding runs down the left flank and was a serious threat to the opposing defenders throughout the course of 90 minutes.
He assisted three goals and created a total of 17 goal scoring chances, both of which were a group-stage high for a defender.
The Danish side was extremely unlucky as they failed to qualify for the knockout stages despite conceding two goals in six games. When the Europa League resumes in February, FC Kobenhavn will be one of the favourites to reach the semi-finals stage and Augustinsson will have a big role in influencing their outcome.
Centre Back: Mathias Jorgensen (FC Kobenhavn)
Popularly known as ‘Zanka’, Danish defender Mathias Jorgensen is the second Copenhagen player in our list. The towering defender was influential as his team kept four clean sheets and conceded the joint lowest number of goals in the tournament. Brilliant performances against Leicester and Porto capped off a memorable tournament for the 26-year-old.
Zanka made a record 62 clearances in the group stages and also weighed in with a couple of headed goals. Using his height to good effect, he nullified the likes of Jamie Vardy and Andre Silva with utmost ease. His tenacity on the pitch never allowed any serious goal threats. With Mathias by their side, FC Kobenhavn are one of the favourites to challenge for the Europa League title.
Centre Back: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
The only positive from a defence that conceded 10 goals in the group stage, Raphael Varane played every single minute of Real Madrid’s UCL group stage campaign. Alongside Zanka and Bayern Munich’s Juan Bernat, the young Frenchman was one of only three defenders to score two goals. With Marcelo and Sergio Ramos venturing forward on a regular basis, Varane held the fort brilliantly. His last ditch tackle to deny Aubameyang on matchday one stands out.
The 26-year-old centre-half completed 88% of his passes and won a record 73% of duels against opponents. With sterner tests to come in the knockout stages, Los Blancos will be banking on the young defender to get the job done.
Right Back: Dani Alves (Juventus)
The experienced Brazilian rolled back the years and produced a string of breath-taking performances at right wing-back. In the absence of Georgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, Dani Alves marshalled his troops splendidly and hardly allowed the opponents to shoot at goal.
Going forward, he was the old lady’s most dangerous player and created 14 goal scoring chances for his teammates. Before the start of matchday six, Alves broke his leg and was ruled out for months. This was a massive blow for the Italian side as they were torn apart by a mediocre Genoa side. Juventus will be hoping for his quick recovery as they have a chance of facing Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in February.
Midfielders:
Central Midfield: Steven N’Zonzi (Sevilla)
The French defensive midfielder was back to his sublime best in the group stages. Playing in front of a three-man defence, N’Zonzi was the calming influence and held up play brilliantly. He has the most number of successful tackles for a midfielder in the competition.
Only Marco Verratti completed more passes than the midfielder (459), while he also completed the third most in the opposition half. He has been one of the team’s key players as Sevilla have five clean sheets in six games, the highest in the competition. He will have a key part to play if the Spanish team are keen on progressing to the quarter-finals stage.
Central Midfield: Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)
The 25-year-old Spanish midfielder has been one of the shining stars in an underwhelming Bayern Munich side. With a pass accuracy of 90.9%, the central midfielder pulled the strings for the 2013 winners. Against a strong Atletico side, he completed 72 of his 79 passes, justifying his immense passing talent.
His concentration levels, tackling abilities and sublime dribbling skills indicate as to why he was Pep Guardiola’s first major signing in Germany. His form has been one of the main reasons that have kept world beater Renato Sanches on the bench. Thiago will have a major role to play if Bayern are to replicate the 2013 season’s success.
Attacking Midfielder: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
The Gunners’ midfield maestro has had a fantastic Champions League campaign. He has already scored more goals than in any previous season. The German playmaker has had a hand in 39% of Arsenal’s goal tally, scoring four and setting up three more. His third goal against Bulgarian club Ludogorets was one of the best strikes in the competition.
With his third assist, Ozil’s tally of 23 UCL assists comes just below as that of Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi. Despite finishing as group winners, Arsenal have a distinct possibility of facing the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the knockout stages. His creative nuance will be called upon frequently come February.
Forwards:
Right Winger: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
We have run out of expletives to heap praise on this football genius. Messi was the top scorer in the group stages, netting a phenomenal 10 goals, including hat-tricks against Manchester City and Celtic. Only Ronaldo (11 goals last season) had more after the group stages. He created a further two goals for his teammates.
Messi possesses the rare ability to win games single-handedly and grabbing the limelight with a sublime piece of skill or a creative pass. His sheer presence creates tremors in the opposition team. He gives Barcelona a reason to stand in awe and celebrate every victory. Messi will have a huge role to play if Barcelona is looking to take back the coveted title from arch rivals Real Madrid this season.
Left Winger: Dries Mertens (Napoli)
The Belgian winger has been one of Napoli’s standout performers this term. With 4 goals and 2 assists in four Champions League appearances (two starts), his performances have had a massive impact on the Naples club’s fortunes. 1.2 key passes and 0.7 interceptions per game indicate his all-round ability and immense work rates.
Standing at just over 5 feet and 5 inches, Mertens is one of the shortest players in the world. He uses it to his advantage as he breezes past the defenders in no time. His crossing abilities have significantly improved since the Euros.
Napoli fans would love to see him get more time on the pitch as he is a genuine goal threat and can lift the mood of his team within minutes. Mertens will have to be at his dangerous best if Napoli want to progress into the latter stages of the tournament
Striker: Andre Silva (FC Porto)
FC Porto’s number 10 has been in sublime form this season. Impressive performances in the Champions League against the reigning English champions Leicester City would have impressed experts and fans alike. 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 appearances are an indication of the poacher’s instinct he possesses.
His ability to pass the ball effectively, finish off chances and head the ball with precision has been hailed. FC Porto has created several footballing superstars like Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Maicon, and Nicolas Otamendi in the past. If Silva continues to deliver on a regular basis, Porto has an outside chance of causing some major upsets this season.
