Real Madrid and Juventus face off in a titanic clash of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League FInal on June 3rd in Cardiff. For the first time in aeons, the final is truly that of ‘Champions’ as the teams facing off have been crowned winners in their domestic leagues this season, with Los Blancos ending a five-year wait for La Liga while the Bianconeri became the first team in history to win six Serie A titles in a row.
Trending
There cannot be two more deserving teams to be crowned kings of Europe this season, and with 22 superstars to pick from, it is quite a task to shoehorn them into a XI. Yet, whatever choices are made, this XI is sure to be an awe-inspiring team, which can comfortably beat any side put in front of it.
Without further ado, here is the combined XI for the UEFA Champions League Final.
Formation: 3-4-3 vs 4-3-3
There’s a case to be made for an in-vogue 3-4-3 formation, which would alleviate some of the hard choices in picking a centre-back, especially given Juventus’ famed back three. However, there is the small matter of the fact that Massimiliano Allegri has preferred 4 at the back for much of the season in Serie A, with Andrea Barzagli rapidly aging.
Zinedine Zidane has also experimented with a 3-4-3 formation this season, although that was brought about by injuries rather than choice. The Frenchman prefers a 4-3-3 when all players are available to him, and Real Madrid are likely to feature in that very formation, with Juventus likely to do the same.
A 3-4-3 would allow for fewer spots in central midfield, which would be a disservice for some of the names vying for the 11 spots, and thus it is only fair to opt for a 4-3-3 formation, especially since the final is likely to witness the same shape from both sides.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon vs Keylor Navas
On paper, it's an easy enough choice between the Real Madrid and Juventus custodians. However, Keylor Navas has been in stunning form of late, with the Costa Rican back to his best with some awe-inspiring displays in... yeah, I can’t even pretend to make a case here.
Gianluigi Buffon is quite possibly the greatest goalkeeper of all time and there is no debating his inclusion in the Combined XI. If Juventus do pull off a victory in the final, the veteran goalkeeper will finally be able to add a UEFA Champions League medal to his glittering collection, not to mention becoming one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or award and emulate Lev Yashin.
Just to be fair to Navas lets look at the pair’s stats in the Champions League this season – and they’re not pretty for the Costa Rican.
| Gianluigi Buffon | Keylor Navas | |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 11 | 11 |
| Clean Sheets | 8 | 1 |
| Goals Conceded | 3 | 16 |
| Saves | 17 | 28 |
| Saves per Goal | 5.67 | 1.87 |
| Distribution Accuracy | 82% | 72% |
Winner: Gianluigi Buffon
Defence
Left Back: Alex Sandro vs Marcelo
Some say Marcelo has been Real Madrid’s most important player this season... and they’re right. The Madrid fullback has been arguably the best defender in the world this season, and it’s not even for his primary job as a defender. The sight of him bombing down the left touchline for Real has become de rigueur – it’s no wonder that he has a staggering 11 assists this season – the best of any defender in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues. Meanwhile, Alex Sandro has had an impressive season, but simply cannot hold a candle to his fellow countryman. This is as easy a choice as there ever was.
Winner: Marcelo
Right Back: Dani Alves vs Dani Carvajal
The battle of the Dani’s – although this is a much harder pick. Both Dani Alves and Carvajal have 4 assists this season in the UEFA Champions League, although the former Barcelona man has an impressive 3 goal in the competition this season, one of which was the memorable strike against AS Monaco that brought Juventus to the finale in Cardiff. While Carvajal has the more impressive defensive stats, the clincher for the Brazilian veteran is that he’s simply created more chances (30) than the Spaniard (9). Barcelona miss Dani Alves, but we don’t – it’s an all Brazilian lateral lineup.
Winner: Dani Alves
Centre Back: Giorgio Chiellini vs Sergio Ramos
This is football’s version of Sophie’s Choice – whichever defender I pick is simultaneously the right and wrong answer. Hence, we turn to that fabled old mistress which can settle any argument – stats. The Italian narrowly leads the way in blocks (8), clearances (42) and aerial duels won (65%), although Sergio Ramos comfortably wins more tackles (15) and makes more interceptions (28). It’s hard to separate them as defenders, which is why Sergio Ramos wins out because he has a ‘striker’s soul’ and can provide another 93rd-minute winner.
Winner: Sergio Ramos
Centre Back: Leonardo Bonucci vs Raphael Varane
Even the most ardent Real Madrid fan would struggle to make a case for their young Frenchman here, especially after the Madrid youngster seems to have regressed after an impressive year last season. Varane’s arguably the weak link in the Madrid defence, while Bonucci is one of the best defenders in the world. It’s an easy enough choice to make, and the stats back it up – the Italian has won more tackles, made more clearances and intercepted the ball more often than the Frenchman, although Varane leads the way in aerial duels. A valiant effort, but there is a clear winner here.
Winner: Leonardo Bonucci
Midfield
Defensive Midfield: Sami Khedira vs Casemiro
It is one of the quirks of football that Sami Khedira has a worse disciplinary record than Casemiro in the UEFA Champions League this season. Real Madrid’s Brazilian destroyer has escaped censure from referees and quietly gone about his business to become one of the most underrated players in the world. Casemiro obliterates Khedira in the statistical stakes, with more blocks, interceptions, clearances, tackles won, creating more chances, scoring and assisting more than the German. He’s the beating heart of Real Madrid and the player that brings the most balance to this top-heavy Combined XI.
Winner: Casemiro
Central Midfield: Claudio Marchisio vs Toni Kroos
Claudio Marchisio has barely featured for Juventus in the UEFA Champions League this season, with Toni Kroos spending almost twice as many minutes on the pitch as the Italian. The German metronome is the glue that connects Real Madrid’s defence and attack – and is arguably the best central midfielder this season in Europe. He’s created 31 chances, completed 93% of his passes, won a surprising 78% of his aerial duels, while also making 11 interceptions in European football this season. Marchisio does not even compare, and thus Kroos comfortably wins out.
Winner: Toni Kroos
Attacking Midfield: Miralem Pjanic vs Luka Modric vs Isco
This is a bit of a shoe-horned comparison, since Pjanic plays in a deeper role for Juventus, while Modric and Isco often feature in different positions for Real Madrid. Pjanic leads the way in goal contributions (4), when compared to Modric (0) and Isco (1) in the Champions League. Since the trio have spent wildly different amounts of time on the pitch, it’s only fair to average out their statistics (per 90). Isco might be the better player out of three in form, but Pjanic comfortable trounces the Madrid pair in attacking and defensive stats. He’s created more chances, won more tackles and passes as accurately as the other two (not to mention that marking job on Messi in the semi-final), and that’s why Miralem Pjanic is a bit of a surprise, but deserved inclusion in the combined XI.
Winner: Miralem Pjanic
Attack
Left-Wing Forward: Mario Mandzukic vs Cristiano Ronaldo
You have to feel for Mario Mandzukic – shunted wide out of position but still impressively soldiering on, and now having to be compared to Cristiano Ronaldo. This is as much of a no-contest as they come, especially since the Portuguese superstar has been in blazing hot form recently, with 14 goals in his last 9 games. The Real Madrid talisman might be ageing rapidly, and his goal-scoring is in a downward trend, but the rate at which he’s breaking records and picking up trophies is increasing – and that is all that matters.
Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo
Centre-Forward: Gonzalo Higuain vs Karim Benzema
The two most hated centre-forwards in world football face off against each other – and it is a difficult choice. The world’s most expensive striker was bought by Juventus to deliver them UEFA Champions League glory – and he’s a final away from finishing the job. Karim Benzema has endured a difficult season while El PIpita has plundered in the goals – yet the Frenchman brings out the best of Cristiano Ronaldo and is arguably more suited to start in this combined XI. However, it is a striker’s job to score goals, and with over 30 for the season, Higuain wins out in the centre-forward role.
Winner: Gonzalo Higuain
Right-Wing Forward: Paulo Dybala vs Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale’s injury-hit season means this is an easy choice, although the Welshman may yet pull off another cup final winning performance in his hometown of Cardiff. Dybala has gone from strength to strength this year, and the Argentine’s memorable goal against Barcelona will be replayed for years to come. The Juventus star man is the final piece of the puzzle in this lineup and what a glittering jewel in the crown he is.
Winner: Paulo Dybala
Follow Live Commentary of the UEFA Champions League FInal by the inimitable Anirudh Menon here – Real Madrid vs Juventus LIVE!
