'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2019/20 Champions League season finally culminated in a showpiece event between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in Lisbon yesterday. The French champions failed to stop Hansi Flick's Bayern Munich juggernaut and the mighty Bavarians were crowned the champions of Europe for the sixth time in their history.
Bayern Munich remained undefeated in the Champions League and the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller pioneered their side's dominance over some of the biggest names across Europe. Kingsley Coman scored the all-important goal against Paris Saint-Germain to win Bayern Munich the Champions League and an unprecedented treble.
Bayern Munich overcomes talented Paris Saint-Germain side to win the UEFA Champions League
Bayern Munich is arguably the best team in the world at the moment and has humiliated several Champions League giants on its way to the final. The German champions massacred Barcelona and Chelsea in the knock-out stages and are deserving winners of the Champions League trophy.
Several other teams have also punched above their weight this season and have managed to make a name for themselves in the competition. Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta was arguably one of the most entertaining teams in the competition and Lyon and RB Leipzig proved that they cannot be taken lightly either.
While the usual suspects have surprisingly failed to impress on the European front this year, the 2019/20 edition of the Champions League has featured a number of exceptional individual performances.
Goalkeeper - Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Much has been said about Manuel Neuer's goalkeeping credentials over the past few years. The modern-day legend endured a dismal World Cup campaign with Germany in 2018 and his claim to a place in the national team's starting eleven has constantly been questioned.
Neuer's stunning rejuvenation under Hansi Flick will certainly silence his doubters in Germany and across the world. The Bayern Munich captain has been sensational in the Champions League this season and has barely put a foot wrong for his side.
The World Cup winner stepped up for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final and made crucial saves against Paris Saint-Germain to ensure that his side maintained a pivotal clean sheet. Neuer made a massive statement with his performances in this Champions League campaign and his leadership skills at Bayern Munich have made the Bavarians a formidable team.
Honourable Mentions: Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain)
Also Read: Serie A 2019/20: Team of the season
Left-Back - Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
Alphonso Davies has taken the Champions League by storm this season. At his best, the Canadian full-back is unstoppable and is capable of astonishing sprints that can leave the best of defences stunned in his wake. The Bayern Munich star took Barcelona and Chelsea apart with his pace and ability and has been one of the stand-out performers for Bayern Munich under Hansi Flick.
In a Bayern Munich outfit that has a near-perfect blend of experience and youthful exuberance, Alphonso Davies has excelled in his role and his electric pace has caused the opposition a number of problems.
Davies has managed three assists in his breakthrough season in the Champions League and is one of the most exciting talents in the world. The Canadian left-back is only 19 years of age and has the potential to become one of the best full-backs in the history of the game.
Centre-back - Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain has maintained an excellent defensive record in the Champions League this season and Thiago Silva's colossal presence in the French champions' defensive line deserves much of the credit. The Brazilian veteran has barely put a foot wrong in Paris Saint-Germain's campaign and is still one of the most reliable defenders in the world.
Thiago Silva is one of the leaders of the Paris Saint-Germain squad and his presence adds an aura of solidity to an inexperienced French back-line. The Brazilian is quick on his feet and has used his years of experience in the Champions League to give the French Champions their first Champions League final appearance this season.
At 35 years of age, Thiago Silva is still linked to some of the most high-profile clubs in Europe. The Brazilian star can leave Paris Saint-Germain with his head held high after a thoroughly successful season.
Centre-Back - Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)
Dayot Upamecano's breakthrough season has been eventful, to say the least. The RB Leipzig defender has been one of his side's best players in the Champions League and has been linked with a transfer to some of the best clubs in Europe.
Upamecano has committed his future to the German side, however, and Julian Nagelsmann will be thrilled. The French defender has been one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga this season and proved his doubters wrong by putting in impeccable performances in the Champions League.
RB Leipzig shocked Tottenham Hostpur in the knock-out rounds with a 4-0 aggregate victory and Upamecano repelled wave after wave of attack to keep Leipzig in the reckoning till the semi-finals of the Champions League. The French centre-back is only 21 years of age and can grow into one of the best defenders in the world.
Right-back - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich is arguably one of the most underrated full-backs in the world. The German defender plays a crucial role for Bayern Munich and has been the unsung hero of the Bavarians' successful Champions League campaign.
Joshua Kimmich has long been considered the rightful heir of Philipp Lahm's throne at Bayern Munich and may well have proved his mettle after a stellar Champions League campaign. Much like his predecessor, Kimmich can also play in the midfield and his versatility and technical ability make him a prized asset for Bayern Munich.
Kimmich has an impressive tally in the Champions League and has managed 2 goals and 4 assists for Bayern Munich. The German full-back is yet to hit his peak and will be one of Bayern Munich's most important players for years to come.
Honourable Mentions: David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Hans Hateboer (Atalanta), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Also Read: La Liga 2019/20: Team of the season
Defensive Midfielder - Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
In a team filled to the brim with magicians and speedsters, Marquinhos plays a pivotal role as Paris Saint-Germain's midfield destroyer. The Brazilian midfielder's exploits are not the prettiest of sights but his unique set of skills have given the French champions plenty of impetus in the Champions League.
Marquinhos is one of the best in the world in his position and his ball-winning abilities have given Paris Saint-Germain's forward players a cutting edge on several occasions in the Champions League. The Brazilian was a colossus in the midfield against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final and made several critical interventions to ensure that the Bavarians remain out of the Paris Saint-Germain penalty area.
Marquinhos also offers a viable goal threat in set-piece situations and opened the scoring for his side against RB Leipzig in the semi-finals. The Brazilian may not be the most famous name at Paris Saint-Germain but his importance to the club cannot be understated.
Central Midfielder - Thiago (Bayern Munich)
Thiago Alcantara has grown into one of the best midfielders in the world under Hansi Flick. The Spaniard was one the bench when he won his first treble with Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona side in 2011.
Today, Thiago is one of the first names on Bayern Munich's teamsheet and played a crucial role for his side as the Bavarian juggernaut smashed defences across Europe to win the Champions League and the treble. The technically gifted midfielder has also shown tremendous improvement in the defensive aspects of his game and has blossomed into a complete midfielder at Bayern Munich.
Alongside the tenacious Leon Goretzka, Thiago has been the epitome of consistency for Bayern Munich in the Champions League and has suffocated the opposition with his work-rate. The Spaniard also has a knack of producing murderous passes in the final third and his dribbling skills in the midfield have created several chances for Bayern Munich.
Central Midfielder - Houssem Aouar (Lyon)
Lyon has one of the most balanced sides in Europe and has benefitted from the pragmatism of Rudi Garcia. The French side has a reliable defensive unit and a forward line that can create problems for the best sides in the Champions League. Every top side needs a spark of magic, however, and Lyon's source of otherworldly brilliance is Houssem Aouar.
The highly-rated midfielder has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season with Lyon in the Champions League and has developed into one of the most promising talents in Europe under Rudi Garcia. The Lyon starlet is capable of playing in multiple positions in the midfield and his vision and trickery on the ball make him one of the most sought-after prospects in Europe.
Houssem Aouar has bagged a goal and 4 assists in this Champions League campaign and is one of the most important players in a Lyon side that has managed to exceed expectations this season.
Honourable Mentions: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Marcel Sabitzer (RB Leipzig), Kevin Kampl (RB Leipzig)
Also Read: Premier League 2019/20: Team of the season
Attacking Midfielder - Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Muller has enjoyed an extraordinary season. At only 30 years of age, the German attacker has all the experience and know-how of a veteran and a bulging silverware cabinet to boot. Muller simply refuses to be bogged down by his surroundings and has experienced a stunning renaissance in the Champions League under Hansi Flick.
The German World Cup winner has operated in a free role in the Bayern Munich juggernaut and has smashed several assist records this season. Thomas Muller has made full use of his near-telepathic relationship with Robert Lewandowski to put defences to the sword in the Champions League. The forward never seems to run out of space on the pitch and his intelligence and presence of mind are unmatchable in modern football.
In addition to his 4 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League, Muller's commendable work-rate and his leadership qualities have resulted in several victories for the Bavarians this season. The German star is likely to go down in history as a bonafide Bayern Munich legend.
Striker - Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Had the Ballon d'Or not been cancelled this year, there would have been only one plausible winner. Robert Lewandowski has been in a league of his own this season and his goalscoring exploits have left several teams across Europe biting the dust. The prolific Polish hitman has been relentless in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League and is one of the few old-fashioned poachers left in European football.
Lewandowski has scored an astonishing 56 goals in 48 games this season and has led his side to an unprecedented treble. The Bayern Munich forward has scored 15 goals in only 10 matches in the Champions League and has taken the competition by storm this season.
With Robert Lewandowski in the form of his life, Bayern Munich stormed to its sixth Champions League title with consummate ease. The Polish striker has been the most lethal goalscorer in Europe this season by a country mile.
Striker - Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Neymar's Champions League campaign may have ended in disappointment but his individual performances in the competition deserve plenty of praise. The Brazilian winger has used his electric pace and otherworldly skill to excellent effect in Europe and has stunned teams with his trickery.
Atalanta and RB Leipzig were at the receiving end of two typical Neymar performances in the knock-out rounds leading up to the Champions League final. The former Barcelona superstar was virtually unplayable on several occasions and while he may not have stepped up to the plate in the final, Neymar's consistency since the restart has been commendable.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has 3 goals and 4 assists in 6 Champions League appearances for his side and took up a creative role in the latter stages of the competition. Neymar's sheer ability on the ball has made him one of the best players in the world at the moment.
Honourable Mentions: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta)
UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2019/20): (4-3-1-2)
Manuel Neuer; Alphonso Davies, Thiago Silva, Dayot Upamecano, Joshua Kimmich; Marquinhos, Thiago Alcantara, Houssem Aouar; Thomas Muller; Robert Lewandowski, Neymar
Also Read: Europa League 2019/20: Team of the season
