UEFA have released Champions League team of the group stage after the culmination of the first round of Europe’s premier tournament on Wednesday. Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are the only team with two players in the XI, with the rest of the players being the sole representatives from their respective sides.
Here’s the UEFA Champions League of the group stage.
Goalkeeper: Kevin Trapp – Paris Saint-Germain
The 25-year-old German kept five clean sheets in six matches in the group stage. He only let in one goal which came against group leaders Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, scored by Nacho.
Defender: Andrea Barzagli – Juventus
The Juventus centre-back was at his brilliant best in the group stages and the 34-year-old did well as the Bianconeri conceded only three goals. They qualified for the knockout stages behind group leaders Manchester City.
Defender: Diego Godin – Atletico Madrid
The powerful Uruguayan was solid in the defence for the Rojiblancos who conceded only three goals in six matches. He helped Atletico top the group where they lost just one match and drew one.
Defender: Thiago Silva – Paris Saint-Germain
The Brazilian is the second inclusion from the Paris side other than Kevin Trapp. His defensive abilities helped his team achieve five clean sheets on their way to the knockout stages.
Defender: David Alaba – Bayern Munich
The Austrian was a regular starter for the Bavarian giants and helped his team top the group with five wins out of six matches.
Midfielder: Sven Kums – Gent
Gent were a surprise qualifier for the knockout stages of the tournament with Sven Kums being highly influential in their group stage campaign. He scored a goal in the group stages as well.
Midfielder: Willian – Chelsea
The Brazilian winger was in scintillating form for the Blues throughout the group stages. He scored five goals in six matches to help his team qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.
MF: Raheem Sterling – Manchester City
The English youngster was the best performer for the Manchester-based club, scoring three goals in six matches. The Sky Blues finished top of their group and dodged a tricky fixture in the Round of 16.
Forward: Thomas Muller – Bayern Munich
The German scored five goals for the Bavarian giants and was the second representative from Bayern Munich giants in the group stage XI.
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
The Portuguese forward continued his brilliant run in the Champions League this season as well. He broke all previous group stage goalscoring records after scoring 11 goals in six matches, with four of them coming in the last match against Malmo.
Forward: Hulk – Zenit St. Petersburg
The powerful Brazilian forward helped Zenit seal first-place finish in the group stage as they won the first five games. He scored three goals in five appearances.
