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The wait is almost over as club football's most prestigious competition is less than a week away from kick-off. The UEFA Champions League has always been a contest of raw emotion, sweat, tears and heartbreak on the pitch. From VAR controversies to late winners to unthinkable comebacks, one thing is for sure: there's simply nothing like a night of Champions League football.
But today, we're not here to talk about the potential favourites or the established players who have provided an x-factor to the competition and their teams over the years. We're here to look at a few brilliant midfielders who've flown under the radar. These players have the potential to turn up on the big stage and surprise stronger opposition.
Here are five players you should look out for.
#1 Marten de Roon (Atalanta)
Atalanta had an exceptional 2018/19 campaign that saw them finish 3rd which was their highest ever finish. Although most of the attention is on Alejandro Gomez and Duvan Zapata, Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon deserves special appreciation for his performances. His defensive prowess was essential for Gian Piero Gasperini's side to get an edge over the opposition.
De Roon functions as the controller, meaning he is responsible for the transitions from defence to attack. He is capable of winning the ball back with ease, and also has an eye for the forward pass.
Many overlook his contributions because of his lack of direct involvement in goals or assists. The Dutchman sits at the heart of the midfield, thereby shielding the defence.
Last season, De Roon made 36 appearances, where he scored two goals and only provided three assists. However, the game is more than just the end-product, and this is where the Dutchman's abilities come into the picture. He averaged 2.9 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.3 dribbles per game, making him an integral part of Atalanta's defensive unit.
Atalanta can take Ajax's dream run as an inspiration and try surprising the world with their fantastic attacking football. For that, everyone will have to be at their very best, and de Roon is no exception. He will be facing the test of his life against Manchester City when his side locks horns with the Premier League champions in the group stage.
#2 Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig)
Many know Emil Forsberg from RB Leipzig's jaw-dropping 2016/17 campaign, where his immaculate performances drove the German outfit to a second-place finish in the Bundesliga. However, since then, the Swedish midfielder seems to have have been under the radar. While Timo Werner continues to steal the show, it is necessary to remind everyone as to how good Forsberg really is.
During Leipzig's maiden Bundesliga campaign, Forsberg took Germany by storm. He registered 19 assists and averaged a staggering 3.1 key passes per game. Furthermore, with an aggregate of 2.8 dribbles and 1.6 shots per game, he proved to be a complete midfielder.
Without a doubt, Forsberg is the hub of Leipzig's creativity. He is capable of making intricate interplay with the likes of Werner and Yussuf Poulsen, and can split the defence with a well-timed through ball. He can also free the wingers by providing a long-ball over the mid or low block by switching play.
Leipzig's new manager, Julian Nagelsmann, is extremely attack-minded. The ex-Hoffenheim coach is known for his high pressing tactics that focus on retrieving the ball quickly to transition into a fast-paced attack. The 32-year-old coach is surely not afraid of stronger opposition and has experience of Champions League football through his time at Hoffenheim.
Forsberg could take up a more attacking role that sees him closer to the opposition goal. He will look to replicate the form he displayed in Leipzig's maiden Bundesliga campaign. It will be interesting to see how his team fares in a group filled with underdogs.
#3 Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham Hotspur)
When Tottenham Hotspur finished as runners up last season, most of the praise went to Christian Eriksen, Fernando Llorente and especially Lucas Moura during the latter stages. Without a doubt, these players deserve the highest order of appreciation for their collective efforts under Mauricio Pochettino. However, there's one player amongst the XI whose performances needed more appreciation and attention.
French midfielder Moussa Sissoko's story at Spurs began poorly, but gradually he transformed into an unstoppable force. Sissoko is Tottenham's workhorse who chases opposition down till they're dispossessed. His physique gives him an extra edge in the midfield, as he can use his strength to hold the ball. Furthermore, he won almost every aerial duel he challenged for in the second leg of the semi-final against Ajax.
Another aspect that amplifies his contributions is his dribbling capabilities. Sissoko usually powers his way through opposition defences with simple touches to change the direction of the ball. With an average of 1.2 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and 1.6 dribbles per game, he is essential for shielding the back four and then carrying the ball to Eriksen or even further.
Mauricio Pochettino has improved the Frenchman massively, transforming him into a well-built defensive midfielder. With the addition of Tanguy Ndombele, Sissoko can split his heavy-duty work with his fellow Frenchman and form a resolute midfield.
Tottenham will find it difficult to replicate their previous season's achievements, but with a manager who has a tendency to punch above his weight, they can push for glory.
#4 Houssem Aouar (Olympique Lyon)
Olympique Lyon is amongst those teams that were severely raided by the big clubs in the transfer market. With Tanguy Ndombele, Ferland Mendy and club captain Nabil Fekir leaving, all the attention will finally be on Houssem Aouar. The Algeria-born French midfielder has exceptional dribbling expertise and has been fantastic in the number 8 role.
When Lyon pulled off a surprise win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the group stage, Pep Guardiola praised the 21-year-old for his impeccable performance. Aouar is intelligent with the ball and press resistant, indicating that he can easily glide past the opposition.
Despite having a relatively small frame, Aouar holds the ball exceptionally. He tracks back whenever he is dispossessed and can also tackle bravely. His defensive contributions require special appreciation, as in the modern football world, players as creative as Aouar tend to neglect their defensive duties and focus on advancing upfront.
New manager Sylvinho is deploying Aouar at the left-hand side of a 4-3-3 to free him from a burdening workload and increase his involvement in the build-up.
Last season, Lyon's run in the Champions League was cut short by FC Barcelona that ran riot in the second leg of the Round of 16. Aouar was exceptional for the French side, providing three assists in seven games. He averaged 2.4 tackles, 2.6 dribbles, 1.4 key passes and 1.2 long balls per game. He will have to up his game and replicate the form he displayed in the previous edition for Lyon to have a memorable run this year.
#5 Idrissa Gueye (Paris Saint-Germain)
Whenever someone talks about PSG, most of the attention will always be on their enterprising attack. Thomas Tuchel's side comprises of fantastic forwards who have the ability to score goals for fun. However, an aspect that lacks focus is their midfield. While Marco Verratti possesses world-class pedigree, the French outfit didn't seem to have a rigid defensive midfielder to shield the defence. As a result, they seemed to fall behind against physically sound opposition.
As a result, the board went out to sign Everton's Idrissa Gueye for a fee of €27m. The Senegalese midfielder was always impressive for the Toffees but seemed to be underappreciated for all his work. With an average of 4.1 tackles, 2.1 interceptions and 1.6 clearances per game during his time at Goodison Park, Gueye proved to be an immovable force in the middle. He compensates for his lack of involvement in the attack with sturdy and reliable defensive contributions. He handles the opposition's press with ease by holding the ball close to him.
Gueye's addition to the starting XI gives Verratti the license to push upfront regularly. Tuchel's side can now transition from defence to attack without worrying about leaving spaces at the back. Gueye's ball retention capability gives him more opportunities to win fouls when under pressure.
PSG continue to make investments to refurbish their squad but still haven't made it past the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The board will hope to see a much better run this time and challenge for the title after managing to keep Neymar. We must observe that the French outfit has realized that signing world-class forwards alone will not suffice to win the UCL. The appointment of Leonardo as Sporting Director has resulted in smart signings such as Gueye.
