Best XI from Champions League Group Stages

Thiago Motta

For a man who has won the Champions League and come runner-up at the Euro, it is fair for us to expect complacence from him. That too, when he is in the twilight of his career at 32 years of age.

However, Thiago Motta has put all those reservations to bed and has shown himself as one of the best players in Europe. A defensive midfielder by trade, he has been incredible for PSG in the Champions League this season. Playing in front of an assuring back four, Thiago Motta has already scored twice and raked up three assists in six games.

But, what has been most impressive is his defensive contribution and the assurance his manager has placed in him. He has committed just 8 fouls and has earned just one yellow card.

While, Ibrahimovic may be doing the headlines at PSG, this man is the unheralded hero of PSG. What ends with Ibrahimovic, usually starts with Motta.

Toni Kroos

This guy was described by Jonanthan Wilson as “perhaps the archetype of the modern attacking midfielder”. And he has not made a single mistake in saying that. Save Ribery for the Ballon d’or, this guy is currently the heart and soul of Bayern Munich. Capable of playing anywhere in the midfield, he has made himself one of the best players in Europe.

Amazingly, he has a passing accuracy of 97% from the six games he played this season in the group stages. This is indeed an achievement in itself and praise be to Kroos when you notice that Xavi himself has an accuracy of only 94%.

He has assisted two goals and averages two key passes every game. Added to this, he averages 9.5 accurate through balls every game.

Considering the star-studded Bayern squad, calling Kroos the nucleus of it may seem an overstatement, but in reality that is the truth.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Suffice it to say, I have no need to introduce the man. This man, who is poised to win the Ballon d’or showed us in the group stage why he should and why he most likely will achieve it.

The dream, Ronaldo’s unfulfilled dream for years lay before him at the start of the season. And he sought out to fulfill it this season. He started from where he left off last season and has continued his amazing run in front of the goal.

Having his transfer record broken by teammate Gareth bale, he was determined to show who the boss at the Bernabeu was. And he did, in splendid style by breaking the record set by Crespo and Nistelrooy of most goals in the group stage. He scored a record nine goals which included an incredible second half hat-trick against Galatasaray on matchday one.

And adding to his goals tally, he has 2 assists. He truly was the best player in the group stages and truly deserves the Ballon d’or this year. And I don’t think even Messi would argue that.

Angel Di Maria

Alongside every great player, you would find a genius whose performances are overshadowed. Living in Ronaldo’s shadow ever since his move to Real Madrid back in 2010, is none other than Angel Di Maria.

Bale’s arrival further threatened his position in the team and was potentially going to downsize his contributions, but he stayed put and did the talking on the pitch. He produced amazing performances in the Champions League and has scored three goals and set up five more in just four appearances. And of the four times he played, he was named man-of-match twice.

When Ronaldo was out injured, the responsibility fell on Di Maria’s shoulders to lead the attack and he justified it by putting up a stellar performance. His link-up with Bale has been most impressive and his through passes have been spot-on.

Surely, Carlo Ancelloti must be a happy man that the rumours linking Di Maria to a move away from the Bernabeu never materialized.