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Anticipation for this year’s Champions League final has already reached a boiling point as either Barcelona or Juventus will complete their respective trebles. Whatever happens, we should be in for a phenomenal final in Berlin.
However, the road to Germany has been a long one filled with literally hundreds of great goals, skills and performances. Dozens of Europe’s elite players have treated us to some memorable moments, underlining the fact that Champions League football is the pinnacle of the world game.
But who have been the very best players? Here is the Champions League Team of the Year for 2014/15
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Barcelona
Former Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has had to accept playing second fiddle in his first La Liga campaign. In Europe, though, the 23-year-old has been absolutely sensational. The Barcleona man has kept clean sheets in exactly half of his dozen Champions League appearances. Moreover, his heroic efforts kept a dominant Bayern at bay for long periods of that semi-final second leg in Munich.
Ter Stegen had been touted as a potential star during his time in Germany. From his showings in this season’s Champions League, he will be regarded as one of the world’s best even sooner than predicted.
Right Back: Dani Alves – Barcelona
Luis Enrique’s first year at the Camp Nou has been nothing short of breath-taking. If he has got one thing wrong, though, it is the poor treatment of right-back Dani Alves. The 32-year-old Brazilian has been a major force in Barcelona’s defensive unit, additionally providing four assists for the Blaugrana.
His hot-headed nature has earned him six yellow cards, but that should not detract from his overall contribution to the team. Assuming he does depart the Catalan giants this summer, a whole host of European giants will be ready and waiting.
Centre Back: Diego Godin – Atletico Madrid
So nearly the hero in last year’s final, Diego Godin was a lion at the heart of Atletico’s defence once more throughout their 2014/15 Champions League campaign. Godin’s individual talent, combined with great leadership skills, kept city rivals Real Madrid at bay for the best part of three hours until Los Blancos struck a cruel blow late on to win a gripping quarter-final second leg.
It was heartache again for last year’s losing finalists, but Godin could be pleased with his own displays. The same could be said throughout his entire 2014/15 season and he even managed to get on the scoresheet.
Centre Back: Giorgio Chiellini – Juventus
Italian football has a rich history of building success upon a foundation of a strong defence. That has certainly been the case for final underdogs and Girogio Chiellini has been a central figure throughout.
The commanding centre-half has played brilliantly throughout the Champions League campaign, with his only one real mistake being the foul leading up to Real Madrid’s penalty at the Bernabeu. Nonetheless, the experienced 30-year-old has been a key asset for the Old Lady en route to the final.
Will he be the wall of Berlin to keep Barcelona at bay?
Left Back: Patrice Evra – Juventus
Having traded Manchester United for Juventus last summer, many believed the Frenchman’s career would quickly deteriorate. However, the French left-back has enjoyed a new lease of life in Italy and is looking as sturdy as he did during his illustrious heydays.
Now 34, the Juventus man is on the cusp of a heroic treble and nobody could dismiss his importance to the Serie A giants. His defensive work has been better and he still, when needed, provides a fantastic outlet in the attacking third.
Evra has formed a great unit with Juve’s other defensive players. Moreover, his experience has been vital to a club that hadn’t surpassed the quarter-final stage since 2003.
Central midfielder: Casemiro – Porto
Humiliation against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena largely undermined Porto’s otherwise stellar performance in this year’s Champions League, but we should not forget the entertainment that the Portuguese side provided. For all that great attacking threat, though, the heartbeat of their team was undoubtedly Casemiro.
The Brazilian central midfielder only claimed one goal and one assist in eight European appearances, but his overall play was absolutely brilliant. After impressing in the group phase, the 23-year-old inspired Julen Lopetegui’s men against Basel in the round of 16 before putting in a similarly fantastic display as Porto stunned Bayern with a 3-1 home win.
Pep Guardiola’s rampant superstars proved too much even for the instrumental Casemiro to handle. Still, he is the perfect anchor for our mythical XI. Porto decided to make the loan move permanent and we can’t really blame them.
Central midfielder: Paul Pogba – Juventus
Very few names in world football conjure up as much anticipation and excitement as the game’s newest superstar. Paul Pogba is the hottest property in football right now and it’s scary to think what the young Frenchman might achieve in future years.
His Champions League performances have been spot on this season. Despite lacking match fitness and with Pirlo struggling in the semi-final, the former Manchester United prodigy provided the crucial assist for Alvaro Morata at the Bernabeu and could be a leading candidate to steal the show in Berlin.
A forced absence through injury highlighted just how important he is to this team. The fact he is now considered by many to be even more influential than the classy Andrea Pirlo is the only testimony you need.
Central Midfielder: Joao Moutinho – AS Monaco
Ligue 1’s Monaco were one of this year’s surprise packages as Leonardo Jardim guided the club to the quarter-finals before eventually dropping out to Juventus. However, it signalled a great performance for a club that had been forecast to bow out in the group stage.
The summer departures of James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao were telling in a group stage in which the principality club scored just six goals, but Moutinho was the driving force behind everything good about their play. Furthermore, the Portugal international underlined his talent by running the show in that shock 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates, also claiming an assist on the night.
The 28-year-old has been regarded in high esteem for the best part of a decade now. On this season’s European performances, it’s easy to see why.
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
He might have his haters, but Cristiano Ronaldo has performed sensationally in the Champions League once more. A return of 10 goals from 12 matches saw the 30-year-old hit double figures in the competition for a fourth straight season. Meanwhile, his individual brilliance unlocked the door in a tight quarter-final against city rivals Atletico as Ronaldo bamboozled the Rojiblancos defence before teeing up Javier Hernandez to fire Real to victory.
Ronaldo then scored a goal in each leg of that dramatic semi-final against Juventus. Sadly for the Portugal captain, it wasn’t enough to save an otherwise disappointing Blancos. Nevertheless, the record breaker easily deserves his place in our Team of the Year.
Forward: Lionel Messi – Barcelona
If any one player has outshone Ronaldo in this year’s Champions League, then it has to be his fiercest rival. Barcelona have been phenomenal in 2015 and Lionel Messi has re-established himself as the world’s greatest talent.
Make no mistake; the growing confidence of Neymar, and the relentless work ethic of Luis Suarez have played a telling role. But it is the Argentina superstar who has spearheaded Barca’s route to a potential treble. Like Ronaldo, Messi boasts 10 goals in this year’s competition and will be determined to get on the scoresheet in Berlin.
When you also consider he additionally sits joint top of the assists chart with five, it would be physically impossible to leave the magician out of this XI.
Striker: Carlos Tevez – Juventus
Massimiliano Allegri has really improved the Old Lady during his first season, leading them to within 90 minutes of a history making treble. Arguably his biggest success, though, has been to unleash the full potential of star striker Carlos Tevez.
The Argentine forward had been very good throughout his time in Italy, but this season has seen him reach new heights in Turin. His Champions League displays have been nothing short of exceptional. Tevez has netted seven of Juve’s 16 goals this term, which has been a massive factor in their phenomenal run to the final.
Furthermore, his infectious style of play has certainly rubbed off on his teammates this season. There were a number of other candidates for this role in the team, including Barca pair Suarez and Neymar, but Tevez has to get the nod.
Substitutes
Danijel Subasic (AS Monaco), Rafael Varane (Real Madrid), Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Neymar (Barcelona), Luiz Adriano (Shakhtar Donetsk).
Manager: Luis Enrique – Barcelona
Our choice of formation has made a big impact on our managerial appointment too. It was always going to be one of the treble-chasing head coaches, who have both worked wonders in their first year’s at their respective clubs. It’s hard to dismiss Allegri’s achievements after Juve’s long absence from the latter stages, but Enrique‘s accomplishments are made even more impressive by the way he dealt with early criticisms.
The 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 formation has been the most commonly seen setup in this year’s Champions League and it’s also our choice as it enables us to get the best out of Ronaldo and Messi, whilst also adding the extra defensive stability of Casemiro in the middle.
He has already perfected a philosophy to get the best out of an incredible attacking trio and we’re trusting him to do the same again here. The Barcelona coach just gets the nod.
