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When looked from a very simplistic point of view, every goal scored on the football pitch is equal. For every occasion where a player directs the ball to the back of the net, the scoreline changes by 1, nothing more nothing less.
But we all can agree that every single goal scored is different and has unique circumstances that lead to the goal being scored.
A goal from a direct free-kick is one of the most beautiful sights in football. Who doesn't love a perfectly executed, curling free-kick that beats the wall and the keeper, leaving the spectators as well as the opponents in awe.
When we talk about goals from free-kicks, invariably the names that come to the mind are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pjanic. But it should not be forgotten that some of the best free-kick takers in the game like Roberto Carlos and Ronald Koeman were defenders.
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With Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League upon us, we take a look at 7 defenders who have scored from dead ball situations in the history of the competition.
#1 David Alaba
David Alaba is a proven dead ball specialist. His gem of a left foot is known to unleash powerful and accurate free-kicks from time to time. The Bayern Munich left-back also handles the set-piece duties for his country Austria.
Back in the 2013-14 Champions League campaign, Alaba lined up to take a free-kick from just outside the box against CSKA Moscow in a group stage fixture.
And as expected, the Austrian curled a beautiful left-footed shot into the right corner of the goal, in the 3rd minute of the game, giving the Bavarians the lead.
Video: David Alaba free-kick
This effort remains his only goal from a free-kick in the competition, though he has been on the score-sheet in the Champions League 5 times, with 4 goals scored off his left foot.
Overall, he has scored 8 goals from free-kicks in all competitions, with all coming from his preferred left foot.
#2 Dani Alves
Dani Alves, who is yet to recover from an injury that kept him out of the 2018 World Cup, will be known as one of the most attack-minded right-backs of our time.
While most of his attacking contributions come in form of assists, the Brazilian is not afraid of having a go at goal himself.
He has also seen his fair share of set-piece duties for his former clubs - Sevilla, Barcelona, and Juventus, and managed to score direct free-kick goals in the Champions League on two different occasions with different teams.
His first goal from a dead-ball situation came back in the 2007-08 season, when he was still with Sevilla, against Fenerbahce.
He was again on the scoresheet, this time with Juventus, scoring against Dinamo Zagreb with a little help from a deflection off the wall.
Video: Dani Alves' UCL free-kick goal against Dinamo Zagreb
#3 Sinisa Mihajlovic
Sinisa Mihajlovic is considered as one of the greatest free-kick takers of all time. The defender could score goals from dead ball situations at will.
He maintained his goal-scoring reputation in the Champions League as well, scoring in the erstwhile European Champions Club Cup and Champions League, twice from a free-kick.
Video: Sinisa Mihajlovic free-kick
He was part of the Red Star Belgrade team that won the competition in 1991, and converted a crucial free-kick in the second leg fixture against Bayern Munich.
#4 Aleksandar Kolarov
The former Manchester City defender is another left-footed defender known for his set-piece abilities and powerful shot.
He got the distinction of scoring a direct free-kick in the Champions League when he scored against Real Madrid from 25 yards out.
Video: Aleksandar Kolarov scores a free-kick against Real Madrid
He still remains a threat from set-piece situations, as seen in the last World Cup, where his free-kick against Costa Rica helped Serbia beat the Central American nation.
#5 Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman's goal scoring stats are simply mind blowing, and it is no wonder this Dutch legend is the record goal-scoring defender of all time.
He scored one of the most memorable goals in Barcelona's history, when his accurate free-kick in the European Champion Clubs' Cup final in extra-time against Sampdoria won the first European title for La Blaugrana.
But his thunderous right-foot strike wasn't technically a direct free-kick, with his two teammates setting up the ball perfectly for the defender, but still it is a wonderful goal with historical importance.
Video: Ronald Koeman free-kick
He scored his second goal in the competition at the Camp Nou in the 1993-94 season against Austria Vienna. This was a perfect, clean, direct free-kick.
Video: Ronald Koeman free-kick
His goal scoring exploits remain unmatched to this day, and he is only one of few players to score from a free-kick in the final of the tournament.
#6 David Luiz
David Luiz is one of the best ball-playing defenders right now. Although not a regular goal-scorer for his club, his set-piece skills are top-notch.
He scored his one and only direct free-kick goal in the Champions League in the 2012-13 season against Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge.
Video: David Luis free-kick
#7 Roberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos, who had a hammer of a left-foot, is the top free-kick scoring defender in the history of the competition.
He scored a staggering amount of goals for Real Madrid in the competition from set-piece situations.
The Brazilian produced a ridiculous amount of power in his free-kicks, and his wonder strike against France in 1997 earned him a place in the history books as the one of the greatest free-kick takers ever.
He is only behind Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of free-kick goals scored in the competition.
