The final matches of the Champions League group stages are about to take place and we have witnessed some incredible games from Europe’s best teams so far.
From two epic clashes between Pep Guardiola’s old club and his new one to Leicester City taking Europe by storm in their inaugural season amongst Europe’s elite, the group stages have been as intriguing as a fan could hope for.
The final match day has some exciting games in store, right from the big games like Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund down to Porto vs Leicester and Lyon vs Sevilla.
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Here, we choose the best XI out of all the fit players in the epic game between Madrid and Dortmund which will take place at the Bernabéu stadium. The first clash between these teams this season ended in a stalemate. Both teams will be without a few players like Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze in this game, but the quality on display is amazing nevertheless.
Goalkeeper – Keylor Navas
Despite being injured in the early stages of the season, the Costa Rican international deserves a place in this team and quite rightly so. Despite Roman Burki being impressive for Dortmund this season, Navas has returned from his injury in style and been as solid as ever for Los Blancos.
Although not quite reaching the levels he did last season when Madrid won the Champions League, it is not up for much debate that Navas is superior to his Dortmund counterpart and thus warrants himself a place in this list.
Defenders
Right back – Dani Carvajal
Although Lukasz Piszczek has come in to his own in the last few seasons, the fact remains that Carvajal is one of the few underrated players in this star-studded Madrid squad. Forming a formidable partnership with fellow fullback Marcelo, Carvajal has been almost as solid so far this season as he was the last.
Competent in going forward and excellent defensively, Carvajal is one of the rare breed of Galacticos who do not get enough praise for their work. Madrid fans are slowly realising his importance to their team, and the Spanish international just edges out Piszczek to enter this XI.
Centre back – Sergio Ramos
One of the easier selections to make, Dortmund fans will definitely remember Madrid’s inspirational captain as he scored a goal against them three years ago in the semi-finals of the Champions League that almost came back to haunt them on their way to the final.
Having just come off from a man of the match performance in the El Clasico where he scored a late equaliser and defended like a lion, the Madrid and Spanish captain is one of the sure shot entries into this list - and into most combined XI lists that one makes. His defensive skills combined with his knack for scoring goals makes him a player any team would want to have.
Centre back – Sokratis
The Dortmund centre back has played in four Champions League games this season and has a passing accuracy of 91.4% and has scored a goal for his side. In the league, Sokratis has played 11 games and again holds a brilliant passing percentage of 89%, alongside making 2.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 3.3 clearances per game.
The Greece international is a very good ball playing centre back and is capable of building from the back - a trait that most managers want in their centre backs nowadays. Having made a solid start to the season, the 25-year-old gets selected over his counterpart Raphael Varane in this list.
Left back – Marcelo
Completing this neat defence, Marcelo gets into this list with relative ease. With 4.3 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game in the Champions League so far, Marcelo is the offensive force that has helped Madrid on many an occasion. His pace and his capability of tracking back amongst a few other impressive abilities ensure the Brazilian a place here.
Despite Dortmund captain Marcel Schmelzer being impressive this season, Marcelo gives much more to the team and his overlapping runs and tricky passes into the box are traits that you definitely want in your fullback. His defending is not bad either- just try getting past him when he’s in the form he currently enjoys.
Midfielders
Defensive midfielder – Julian Weigl
The 21-year-old German International has been nothing short of brilliant since he broke onto the scene. Weigl boasts of a passing percentage of 92 in the Champions League and has been a steady presence in the middle of the park whenever he’s on the pitch.
His footballing intelligence is something that has been praised often and the young Dortmund man gives the back four added reassurance. Averaging 4.5 long balls a game and having an eye for a good pass only makes betters his case.
Central midfielder – Luka Modric
The former Spurs man is probably the best central midfielder in the world right now, bar none. Modric’s eye for passing and his ability to control the game like a puppet master is something the likes of Xavi Hernandez and Andrea Pirlo would be proud of.
An ever present force in the Madrid midfield and the man that enforces the plan, the 31-year-old would be one of the first names on any such list in the world and this one is no exception. His genius on the ball and his reading of the game are second to none and thus Modric gets into this team without any competition.
Left winger – Marco Reus
On current form, probably the best player in Dortmund. In his return game from injury, the German bagged a hat-trick for his club in the Champions League and followed that up with a hat-trick of assists in the Bundesliga.
His counterpart Isco may have played more games and been involved in more goals, but Reus has been a freak of nature ever since he has returned and it would be stupid to not include him on this list. His run of form just proves why big teams still want him and why Dortmund always keep faith in him despite his injury concerns. The third Dortmund player on this list and deservedly so.
Right winger – Ousmane Dembele
The only teenager on this list, Dembele has been a revelation. His tricky skills, his precise passes in the final third and his ability to play anywhere in the front 3 makes this 19-year-old a gem of a talent and most likely, a hell of a player in the future.
Five assists in five Champions League games and another five in the Buli, the youngster has been involved in almost every good Dortmund attack this season. Teams across Europe are realising how good Dembele actually is and his pace and trickery are much-needed traits in any quality attack.
Attackers
Striker - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
One of the most coveted forwards across Europe and Dortmund’s ace in the hole, Aubameyang edges out Karim Benzema to enter this list. Current form or overall since the past two seasons, a few forwards can touch this man when it comes to finding the back of the net.
Having already scored an astonishing 15 goals in 12 appearances this season in the Bundesliga and being involved in three more in the Champions League, the 27-year-old leads the attack of this high-quality team alongside the last entry.
Striker – Cristiano Ronaldo
Never in doubt. The first name in most footballing lists and a favourite to win this year’s Balon d'Or, Ronaldo easily walks into this combined XI.
His goalscoring exploits and his underrated abilities of creating spaces for his teammates and getting into those areas in the opposition’s penalty box (apart from the fact that he is Cristiano Ronaldo) make him the ideal forward. The fact that he is La Liga’s current top scorer does not go against him either.
The Bench
Roman Burki (GK), Varane, Piszczek, Pulisic, Isco, Kovacic.
Follow the game LIVE here – Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund Live Score
