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German champions Bayern Munich are set for one of the biggest clashes of the season as they take on former LaLiga Santander kings Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The two teams head into the fixture after contrasting fortunes in the 2019/20 campaign. Bayern Munich, who appeared to begin stagnating under former coach Niko Kovac were sparked to life by a charismatic Hansi Flick. Since Flick's appointment at the helm, the Bavarians look a different side altogether as they're sleeker, sharper, and have played with more purpose with or without the ball.
Bayern romped their way to their eighth consecutive Bundesliga title, ultimately winning the league by 13 points despite a couple of scares earlier on in the season. Additionally, they also won the DFB-Pokal after an emphatic 4-2 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the final.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have had to endure a challenging season in LaLiga, particularly since the restart. The Catalans went into the lockdown period with a two-point lead over challengers Real Madrid, who came out to play every remaining game as it were a UCL final.
Los Blancos eventually capitalised on Barcelona's slip-ups, overturning the two-point deficit and inflicting a title defeat with a five-point lead.
Apart from relinquishing their Spanish crown, the Blaugrana have also faced several other issues. Their season was plagued with controversies such as the war of words between Eric Abidal and club captain Lionel Messi, the sacking of Ernesto Valverde and appointment of Quique Setien, and the latter's future coming into question.
Messi and co ensured that such issues didn't inflict further damage upon a trophyless season so far. They did so by beating Napoli by a scoreline of 3-1 (4-2 on aggregate) to book a date for their dance with the Germans.
Ahead of this high-profile clash, here, we take a look at the best possible combined XI from the available players from both teams.
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, yet still ends up playing second fiddle to Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer for Germany. However, that is not the case for this XI as Ter Stegen is the preferred keeper after another season where he has seen him be the shining light for Barcelona's backline.
Despite the 28-year-old conceding 36 goals in 36 games, Ter Stegen has bailed Barcelona out with several clutch and gravity-defying saves. In total, the German has faced 110 shots on target, and he's managed to save 78 of them, which brings his save percentage to 72.7. Much like his compatriot Neuer, Ter Stegen has also proven to be an excellent goalkeeper with the ball at his feet, as well as while carrying out the role of a sweeper-keeper.
There is a very compelling case for Ter Stegen being Barcelona's second-most valuable player after Lionel Messi. He's kept 14 clean sheets in LaLiga this season, and perhaps could have kept more, if Barcelona didn't defend as questionably as they did for large parts of the season.
Also read: UEFA Champions League best XI according to ratings
Defence
Right-back: Nelson Semedo
One of the players whose future at the club is up in the air; Nelson Semedo makes it at right-back over Sergi Roberto and Benjamin Pavard. The Portuguese right-back has acted as an outlet in attack for Barcelona, helping maintain width on the right-hand side, which allows Messi more room to drift in centrally.
Semedo has appeared six times in the UCL this year, putting in massive shifts both defensively and offensively in the competition. The 26-year-old has averaged over three tackles a game along with 2.7 dribbles, highlighting how comfortable he is in possession — a key factor for any Barcelona player.
With him likely to face off with Alphonso Davies on his side of the pitch, the duel of the attack-minded full-backs will be one to keep an eye out for.
Centre-back: Clement Lenglet
Although Gerard Pique has had a decent season for the Catalans, Clement Lenglet has most certainly been the most consistent centre-half available to Barcelona. The Frenchman has perhaps not had as many standout performances as the Spaniard, but the latter has had a handful of questionable displays in 2019/20.
Lenglet has been an uber reliable figure at the heart of Barcelona's defence and has provided the Blaugrana with a rock-solid base to build on. The 25-year-old has only scored one goal in their UCL campaign so far, which was an all-important opener against Napoli in the previous round. The left-footed centre-half has complemented Pique beautifully, and has been vital for Barcelona's backline.
The French defender will be tasked with stopping arguably the best player in the world on form, Robert Lewandowski, on Friday night.
Centre-back: David Alaba
One of Bayern Munich's longest-serving players, David Alaba established himself as one of the most complete full-backs in the game in Germany. The Austrian has played at centre-half before this season as well but has moved into the position more permanently after losing his left-back berth to Alphonso Davies.
The best of players find a way to adapt to the circumstances around them, and that is precisely what Alaba did. The 28-year-old has had a stellar season at the back for the Bavarians, helping them play a high line and press with ease. The Austria international has been particularly impressive with the ball at his feet, continually carrying it high up the field and bypassing players along the way.
Alaba will have to play a crucial role against Barcelona and will have to keep a watchful eye on Barcelona's big-name forwards.
Left-back: Alphonso Davies
Despite Jordi Alba's pedigree and experience, Alphonso Davies is arguably the best left-back in the remaining teams in the UCL. Not only that, but on current form, he is perhaps one of the most impressive left-backs in world football. The Canadian teenager was the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Year after his excellent campaign.
The 19-year-old boasts of mighty impressive numbers in the UCL, averaging 4.4 tackles and interceptions per game along with 3.8 dribbles on the offensive front. His electric pace is undoubtedly going to threaten Barcelona down their right-hand side, and Semedo could be in for a long night should he even put a foot wrong in this duel.
Davies will come up against his idol, Lionel Messi, and the battle between the two players could be one of the defining moments in the 19-year-old's blossoming career.
Also read: Top 10 players with the most assists in Europe this season (2019-20)
Midfield
Defensive midfielder: Joshua Kimmich
Bayern Munich's utility man Joshua Kimmich has been one of the most consistent players for the German champions this year. The 25-year-old has played a few different positions for Hansi Flick's team, including appearances as a central midfielder, right-back, and even as a makeshift centre-half.
Kimmich has been an ever-present figure for the Bavarians, and has started seven times along with a sub appearance in this year's UCL. He has proved to be the perfect foil for the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Leon Goretzka, and has provided an incredible amount of energy to the side from Bayern's engine room. The German has pressed opposition midfielders tirelessly and has been judicious with the ball at his feet.
Due to Pavard's injury, Kimmich is most likely to slot in at right-back — a position that he has prior experience in. He will have to be wary of the contrasting threats offered by either of Antoine Griezmann or Ousmane Dembele.
Defensive midfielder: Thiago Alcantara
Arguably the most in-form midfielder among both squads, Thiago Alcantara has oozed class in every single display in the UCL so far. The metronomic Spaniard has been incredibly impressive in the middle, effortlessly playing the role of the puppet master for Bayern whenever in possession.
Apart from being impressive with the ball due to his sublime ability, the former Barcelona midfielder has put in an incredible shift in the UCL in defensive terms as well. Thiago has averaged six (!) tackles an interceptions per game, more than anyone in this list so far — reiterating how commendably well-rounded his displays have been in Europe. He will be vital for Bayern's midfield battle with the Blaugrana, and his duel with Frenkie de Jong, in particular, will be a joy to watch.
The 29-year-old is possibly playing his last European campaign with Bayern amidst links to Liverpool in the summer.
Attacking midfield: Thomas Muller
One of the most accomplished active footballers in the world and arguably one of the most unique ones, Thomas Muller, has rolled back the years with a breathtaking 2019/20 season for his boyhood club. The German endured a difficult couple of years and was reportedly even considering moving away from the Allianz Stadium. However, he remained at the club and has turned a new corner at Bayern under Hansi Flick.
The versatile attacker has been deployed in multiple positions this year, including right-midfield, central attacking midfield, and central midfield. Muller broke the record for most assists in a Bundesliga season after setting up a staggering 21 goals in 33 games for his teammates. Additionally, he also scored eight goals to go with it to round off a simply phenomenal title-winning season for Bayern. He's also pressed opposition teams tirelessly, winning the ball back high up the pitch for Flick's men.
Muller is a player capable of popping up in spaces that not too many players in the world can see. The likes of Sergio Busquets and other defensive Barcelona personnel will have to keep a specific watch on Raumdeuter's movement around the final third.
Also read: 5 realistic destinations for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago
Attack
Right-wing: Lionel Messi
Be it a combined XI between Barcelona and Bayern Munich or be it an XI of the best players in the world, Lionel Messi was always going to make it as one of the first names on the sheet. Although Barcelona endured a poor season, the legendary Argentine on a personal note has enjoyed a record-breaking one. He became the first-ever LaLiga player and second across the top-five leagues to register a minimum of 20 goals and assists in a league season.
Messi hasn't been as prolific as he'd have hoped to be in the UCL, though, having scored only three goals and assisting as many across seven games. However, his displays overall have been absolutely surreal, averaging 7.7 dribbles (!), four shots and 2.7 key passes per game in the UCL so far. Messi's phenomenal show against Napoli was another reminder of what he's capable of.
With a young and devastatingly good Davies set to face him on the flanks, Messi could perhaps face a test more stringent than most in Europe so far. But with Barcelona's hopes pinned on their skipper, he is almost certain to put on a show in Portugal.
Left-wing: Serge Gnabry
Bayern Munich's primary outlet out wide in attack, Serge Gnabry, has been one of the most devastating attackers in the Bundesliga this year. The former Arsenal man racked up 12 goals and ten assists in 31 Bundesliga games en route a fantastic season for the Bavarians.
In the UCL, Gnabry has been somewhat surprisingly selective with his scoring. The 25-year-old has scored six goals, the second-highest in the competition among remaining teams. However, all six of them came in two matches, and both games were against Arsenal's former London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. His four-goal haul against the former was simply breathtaking as he was the chief architect of the then-Mauricio Pochettino led side's 7-2 defeat at home.
Gnabry carries an immense threat on the counter, and Barcelona will have to be wary not only of his pace but also his ability on the ball and to pick the right pass in tricky situations. The German is also an excellent finisher, to add to his dribbling prowess.
Centre-forward: Robert Lewandowski
Speaking of finishing, perhaps there is no better player in the world in that particular regard than Bayern Munich's scintillating striker, Robert Lewandowski. The former Borussia Dortmund man has been on a level higher than arguably every other footballer on the planet this year, relentlessly smashing goals past helpless opponents.
The Pole's form gives Bayern Munich the edge they need to beat any team they come across as they hope to register their second-ever European treble. Lewandowski has enjoyed a career-best season so far, scoring over 50 goals across all competitions. However, what's impressive here is not only the sheer number of goals he's scored. The 31-year-old has a might impressive catalogue of strikes ranging from blinding thirty-yarders to predatory close-range flicks and finishes, and he's also scored several crucial winners for his side as well.
Lewandowski was tipped to be the front runner for the Ballon d'Or this year, which was unfortunately called off due to COVID-19. However, a treble would still be a truly incredible achievement for his side, and Lewandowski will undoubtedly have an incredible part to play in it.
Also read: 5 Highest scorers remaining in the UEFA Champions League 2019-20
