UEFA Champions League best XI according to ratings

Midfield

Riyad Mahrez | Manchester City | 7.87

Mahrez has been one of City's most lethal attackers

Two-time Premier League winner Riyad Mahrez has been one of the most impressive attackers in English football in the 2019-20 edition of the Premier League. The Algerian, one of the slickest players in Europe with the ball at his feet, has begun to earn more plaudits after seeing his game time increase in the wake of Leroy Sane's absence.

Mahrez has been sublime in the UCL so far, chipping in with crucial displays in crucial moments. With a goal and four assists to his name, the right-winger has averaged over two shots, key passes and dribbles per game. He also ended the English season with 20 goal contributions (11 goals, nine assists) in 21 starts for the Cityzens.

6 - Riyad Mahrez has been directly involved in six goals in seven Champions League appearances for Man City (2 goals, 4 assists). Handy.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 18, 2019

The former Leicester City man will undoubtedly be a dangerous proposition for Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid as the hosts set to look to eliminate the 13-time European champions.

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Toni Kroos | Real Madrid | 8.09

Toni Kroos has been at the heart of Real Madrid's midfield

It is hardly surprising to see Toni Kroos make this list going by his phenomenal displays across all fronts this year. The German, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, has been the heartbeat of Real Madrid's all-conquering midfield for the best part of a decade.

Kroos played a crucial role in Los Blancos' LaLiga Santander title win and has been as crucial as ever to their UCL campaign so far. The former Bayern Munich ace averages 87 passes per game at a staggering 93% pass accuracy and 4.4 key passes per game, reiterating his status as one of the best passers of the ball in the world.

8 - Toni Kroos completed 93.5% of his passes in @LaLigaEN 2019/20 (2336/2184), the best accuracy rate of any player with at least 10 appearances in the competition. Surgeon. #OptaBestXI@realmadriden pic.twitter.com/0YdFHFDQHv

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) July 21, 2020

Along with 2.8 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and a sense of unparalleled composure in the middle of the park, Kroos has been one of the most impressive midfielders in this year's UCL campaign. He would be the key man that City would hope to stop.

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Thiago Alcantara | Bayern Munich | 8.00

Thiago has been one of the highest rated players in this year's UCL

Bayern Munich's midfield controller Thiago Alcantara has undisputedly been the best midfielder in the Bundesliga for some time now, and his performances in Europe have taken it a notch higher. The Spaniard is one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the world and is the engine of the Bayern Munich midfield.

The former Barcelona midfielder has been masterful with the ball at his feet this year, averaging 85 passes at a 90% accuracy, 1.7 key passes and 8.2 long balls per game in the UCL. On the defensive front, Thiago has contributed with three tackles and 2.8 interceptions per game in Europe, working well in tandem with another midfielder next to him in a double pivot.

The Spaniard could be set to play his final European campaign with the Bavarians after he has refused to extend his contract with Bayern. If reports are to be believed, Thiago — who has been the second-highest rated midfielder in the UCL this year — could be on his way to defending champions, Liverpool.

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Serge Gnabry | Bayern Munich | 7.85

Gnabry scored a stunning four-goal haul in the UCL against Spurs

Former Arsenal star Serge Gnabry has been one of the go-to figures in attack for Bayern Munich apart from their talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski. The German winger has gone from strength to strength at the Allianz Arena and has grown into a dangerous attacker for the Bavarians.

Blessed with devastating pace and superb ability on the ball, Gnabry scored 12 and assisted ten goals in just 26 Bundesliga starts for the champions. In Europe, he has been a tormentor for London Clubs superficially as all his six goals in Europe have come against his former rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

Gnabry scored a stunning four-goal haul against Spurs in their own backyard as part of a 7-2 demolition of Mauricio Pochettino's side. The German has had an excellent campaign with Bayern and will hope to take his scoring into the next phase.

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