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.
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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
