Champions League Team of the Season
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This season’s Champions League campaign came to a dramatic conclusion with Bayern Munich crowned champions for a sixth time. Kingsley Coman’s header was enough to beat first-time finalists Paris Saint-Germain in Lisbon, but will it get him a spot in our team of the season?
The group stages may seem a distant memory, but we’ve looked back at this year’s campaign to select our Champions League team of the season.
There have been plenty of memorable moments, surprise stars and big names put into the shadows by a new wave of talent.
We’ve put our manager’s cap on for this one and there are a few notable omissions from our star-studded line-up.
Think we have missed someone out? Get involved and have your say @Ladbrokes!
Here is our XI in all its glory…
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Back to his devastating best to remind fans that he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
The German stopper has been pivotal to Bayern’s success this season with his ‘sweeper-keeper’ role, helping Mia San Mia to win all eleven of their Champions League matches, keeping six clean sheets in the process.
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
The new Philipp Lahm for Bayern. The 25-year-old has become something of a utility man for the Bundesliga outfit and has shone in the Champions League this season.
Kimmich had moved to right-back from his more familiar defensive midfield position and has not looked out of place. He even managed to retain his place for the final, keeping out Benjamin Pavard to keep Kylian Mbappe at bay in Lisbon.
Thiago Silva (PSG)
One of the main reasons behind PSG’s journey to the final. The captain is a real leader and he will be sorely missed when he leaves the club this summer.
He has led by example and deserves a spot in central defence in our team of the season with a string of consistent outings.
Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)
From the experienced Silva to the upcoming Upamecano. The Leipzig defender has attracted attention from numerous European suitors with a string of impressive performances in the Champions League this season.
The 21-year-old poses a real physical and aerial threat, more than capable of playing out from the back. A formidable force in Leipzig’s route to the semi-finals, particularly against Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final.
Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
Like having an Olympic sprinter at left-back. The Canadian has taken this season’s tournament by storm and has been one of the standout stars.
His blistering pace is a weapon at both ends of the pitch which was at it’s devastating best against Chelsea in the last-16 and Barcelona in the semis. Capped off a memorable season with a winners medal. A guaranteed starter in our XI.
Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)
He makes Bayern tick. The Spaniard controls matches in the middle of the field and has one of the best passing ranges in the game. He finished the season not only as a Champions League winner, but with a pass accuracy of 93% too!
It looks increasingly likely that he won’t be playing at Bayern next season and will be a sure addition to any top side. A summer move to Liverpool has been rumoured for the midfielder.
Marquinhos (PSG)
Another PSG unsung hero. Much of the attention is diverted towards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe which makes Marquinhos go under the radar somewhat.
The Brazilian has been instrumental in central midfield and filled the boots of Marco Verratti in spectacular fashion with vital goals in both the quarter and semi-finals. He makes our team and will slot in alongside Thiago.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
One of the best attacking midfielders in the game and this season he showed more evidence of that.
The Manchester City star scored two goals and provided the same number of assists in seven Champions League appearances.
The Belgian midfielder also sealed two Man of the Match awards in the process to sneak into our team ahead of Angel Di Maria and Thomas Muller for the No.10 role.
Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
Arsenal flop to Champions League winner. This season, the winger has blossomed into a potent Bayern forward line with nine goals, five of them coming when it mattered most in the knockout stages.
Highlights include his brace against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge followed by another match-winning double against Lyon in the semi-final.
Neymar (PSG)
A match-winner. Having him in your side is enough to strike fear into any opponent with his flair, vision and goal threat.
Although he flattered to deceive in the final, his previous displays cannot go unnoticed with three goals and four assists in the competition. He’ll operate on the left side of our attacking trio ahead of PSG teammate, Mbappe.
He was in tears at the final whistle in Lisbon, but his side are 7/1 to win the Champions League next season.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
The best player in the Champions League this season and the first name on the team sheet here. The complete striker.
The Pole finished top scorer with fifteen goals to match the goal record set by Cristiano Ronaldo for most goals in a campaign.
Winning the Champions League was the perfect conclusion to a stellar season for the forward who offers so much to a Bayern team that are going from strength to strength.
Manager: Hansi Flick (Bayern Munich)
Who else! The Bayern boss restored belief in a Bayern team that was low on confidence when he took the role ten months ago.
Flick was the mastermind behind their sixth Champions League title, becoming the first team in history to win all of their matches en route to the final.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
