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Central Midfielder: Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes would partner Toni Kroos in a very attack-minded midfield in this hypothetical Champions League team of the group stage. By this point, it should be clear that selection is solely based on individual performances.
The Manchester United attacking midfielder has made the most assists in the Champions League this season, setting up six goals. Although he makes many optimistic passes, he still has a success rate of 79%.
He is yet to open his account in the Champions League this season. However, he has formed a lethal pairing with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored six goals this term. The duo will be crucial to Manchester United’s Champions League Round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid.
Left Midfielder: Leroy Sane
Leroy Sane seems to have finally found his mojo at Bayern Munich. The former Manchester City winger has registered five goals and four assists in the Champions League this season.
He narrowly edges fellow Bundesliga midfielder Cristopher Nkunku for a spot in this hypothetical lineup.
Sane is the second-highest goalscorer for Bayern Munich, only behind Robert Lewandowski, this season. Three of his five strikers came from outside the 18-yard area. He also made four assists, more than Lewandowski and Muller combined.
The 25-year-old was also quite successful in going past opposition defenders, registering 16 dribbles in the Champions League group stage. He wreaked havoc against Benfica with a couple of goals and an assist.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski (2020 Champions League winner)
Robert Lewandowski has been the talk of the town for the last couple of seasons. The Polish poacher has scored nine goals in the Champions League this campaign. He was the second-highest scorer in the group stage.
Bayern Munich made a mockery of Champions League Group E, winning all games in a group that included Barcelona and Benfica. Lewandowski scored in all but one of those six games.
The 2019-20 Champions League top scorer (15 goals) is well on course to top his tally, having netted nine times already. Lewandowski is likely to add to that tally in the Round of 16 clash against RB Salzburg. He also has a couple of assists under his belt this season.
Striker: Sebastian Haller
Sebastian Haller’s presence in the Champions League team of the group stage is non-negotiable. The group-stage top scorer (ten goals) has simply been sensational in his debut campaign in the competition.
Alongside Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Haller’s Ajax endured a perfect group stage campaign, winning all six games. The Ivory Coast international had a fair spread of goals, scoring off either foot or head.
The former West Ham striker scored in all six group games this campaign. His most memorable performance was his four-goal rout of Sporting. Haller’s pass percentage (81.3%) this season is also spectacular for a target man.
