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Matchday 5 of the Champions League is here, and it brings to us some of the best matchups of the group stages. In Group D, Serie A champions Juventus will take on La Liga's Atletico Madrid in what promises to be an exciting game between two star-studded sides.
Juventus have already qualified for the next round of the Champions League and barring a loss in this match, they will end the group stages as the toppers from their group. Atletico Madrid will be looking to get at least a draw from this game, as a loss would leave them in a vulnerable position come the final matchday.
However, a win for the visitors would then threaten Juventus' top spot in the group, and as such, there is a lot at stake in this game.
Both the squads have some massive firepower in their ranks, and this match promises to be a great one. Here, we take a look at how the combined XI of these two teams will line up -
Note - The players are selected based only on this season's form. Injured/suspended players are not available for selection.
Goalkeeper - Jan Oblak
This one is a no-brainer - no disrespect to Wojciech Szczesny, but Jan Oblak is simply one of, if not the best goalkeepers in the world. The Atletico goalkeeper has been the most consistent at his position over the past three seasons, and his shot-stopping ability has helped Diego Simeone's defence to be one of the best in the world.
Blessed with elite reflexes and great positioning ability, Oblak is an easy inclusion in this list and he will a major role to play in this match.
Defence
Left-back - Alex Sandro
Alex Sandro has had a great season for the Serie A champions so far. A consistent presence at the back who can also provide at the offensive end, Sandro makes this list over his counterpart Renan Lodi.
The left-back averages 1.5 tackles, interceptions, and clearances per game while completing over 85% of his passes. Sandro is an underrated, yet vital part of a strong Juventus defence.
Centre-back - Leonardo Bonucci
Although his partner Georgio Chiellini might get more acclaim, there is no doubt that Leonardo Bonucci is a beast in his own right. The veteran has been part of the Juventus defence for some time now, and he a menace to deal with for any forward.
The 32-year-old averages almost 3 clearances per game in Italy's top division, and has been starting for the team consistently due to the absence of Chiellini. His place here is indisputable.
Centre-back - Mario Hermoso
To be fair, Mario Hermoso would not make this list if Matthias De Ligt and Chiellini were available for selection. However, both of Juventus' centre-backs are out for this game, and therefore Hermoso is included over Daniele Rugani.
This is not to say that the Spanish international is not a good defender - he averages 4 clearances and 1 tackle per game and has played a lot of minutes in La Liga this season. Hermoso is still only 24, and he has a bright future ahead of him under Diego Simeone.
Right-back - Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier's move to Atletico Madrid was strange, as it is rare that you see an English player moving abroad at his peak. However, the right-back has found his form in the Spanish capital and is a consistent name in the starting eleven for Diego Simeone now.
Trippier averages 2.5 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, and 1.6 clearances per game in La Liga. He is also a good crosser off the ball and averages a stunning 4 key passes per game in the Champions League this season. He makes this list over his counterpart Danilo without debate.
Midfield
Defensive-midfielder - Saul Niguez
Saul Niguez is one of the most underrated midfielders on the planet. A consistent presence at the heart of Atletico Madrid's midfield over the past few seasons, the Spaniard is a great passer of the ball with a good eye for goal.
He has started every game in La Liga this season, and he averages over one key pass and one shot per game in the same competition. He is also defensively adept, averaging over 2 tackles and 2 clearances per game.
As good as Sami Khedira is, Saul is easily a better midfielder right now and as such, he makes this list.
Centre-midfielder - Miralem Pjanic
Since his Roma days, Miralem Pjanic has consistently been in the conversation for one of the central midfielders in the world. Averaging 1.7 dribbles a game, the former Roma midfielder is a very creative player who has a great eye for the goal too.
Pjanic this season has been making over 1.5 key passes per game and has an 89% passing accuracy.
He is the engine which makes the Juventus midfield tick, and as such, his place here is well warranted.
Centre-midfielder - Koke
The current Atletico Madrid captain is a creative midfielder who controls his team's tempo and is a great presence in the middle of the park.
Koke is one of those rare players who are adept at both defence and offence, and he is a very important part of Simeone's system.
Averaging 2 tackles and dribbles a game, the midfielder also makes 1.9 key passes a game and has a passing success rate of 85%.
Koke is known for his vision and creative output, and he will be the key to unlocking the tough Juventus defence in this big game.
Attack
Forward - Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala has been Juventus' most consistent attacking threat for a few seasons now. The Argentine international is a versatile player who can operate as both an attacking mid and a second striker.
His finishing and creativity make Dybala one of the best forwards in the world.
This season, the forward already has 3 goals and 2 assists to his name in Serie A, as well as 2 goals and an assist in the Champions League.
Dybala averages over 1.5 key passes per game in the CL, and he will be a menace to deal with for the Atletico backline.
He makes this list over the inconsistent Joao Felix, who still has to find his best form after his mega-money move this summer.
Forward - Alvaro Morata
After a failed move to Chelsea, Morata seems to back to his best with Atletico. He is the club's leading goalscorer this season, with 5 goals in La Liga and 2 more in the Champions League. He just makes the list over his counterpart Gonzalo Higuain.
A strong aerial threat who can finish from almost any angle inside the box, the former Juventus player will be looking forward to this game as he returns to Turin.
The forward is in good form this season, and a goal against his former club would go a long way to give him more confidence in his game.
Forward - Cristiano Ronaldo
When these two sides met in the Champions League knockout stages last season, Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hattrick past Atletico Madrid.
There is perhaps no player whom the Atletico fans hate as much as Ronaldo, simply because he loves scoring against them.
The Portuguese superstar was injured this weekend and did not feature in Juventus' Serie A match, but will be fit for this game.
As Juventus look to cement their position at the top of their group, Ronaldo will have a huge role to play.
Simeone will be hoping that he can stop Ronaldo this time around, but that will not be an easy task.
