Find out who made the cut in our Champions League team of the season for 2014-15.
MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN | BARCELONA | The fact
that Claudio Bravo held the No.1 spot in domestic duties makes Ter
Stegen’s consistency in Europe all the more impressive. Six clean sheets
before the final underpinned Barcelona’s impressive defensive form, but
highlights were saves from Sergio Aguero’s penalty and a remarkable
reaction stop to deny Robert Lewandowski.
that Claudio Bravo held the No.1 spot in domestic duties makes Ter
Stegen’s consistency in Europe all the more impressive. Six clean sheets
before the final underpinned Barcelona’s impressive defensive form, but
highlights were saves from Sergio Aguero’s penalty and a remarkable
reaction stop to deny Robert Lewandowski.
GERARD PIQUE | BARCELONA | The Spain
international’s return to top form has been an overlooked cornerstone to
Barcelona’s success this season. Pique was immense in the knockout
phase especially and conceded just 10 fouls en route to the final,
highlighting his composure at the back.
international’s return to top form has been an overlooked cornerstone to
Barcelona’s success this season. Pique was immense in the knockout
phase especially and conceded just 10 fouls en route to the final,
highlighting his composure at the back.
GIORGIO CHIELLINI | JUVENTUS | Helped the
Italian champions to six clean sheets in the tournament and only Xabi
Alonso and Toni Kroos completed more passes throughout the rounds. His
absence in the final was keenly felt.
Italian champions to six clean sheets in the tournament and only Xabi
Alonso and Toni Kroos completed more passes throughout the rounds. His
absence in the final was keenly felt.
AYMEN ABDENNOUR | MONACO | Having missed the
first four group games, the Tunisian returned to grab his side by the
scruff of the neck and drag them as far as the quarter-finals. He shut
down Bayer Leverkusen, scored the winner against Zenit and was a
towering presence in the shock win over Arsenal. It took a penalty from
Arturo Vidal to find a way past him in the last eight.
first four group games, the Tunisian returned to grab his side by the
scruff of the neck and drag them as far as the quarter-finals. He shut
down Bayer Leverkusen, scored the winner against Zenit and was a
towering presence in the shock win over Arsenal. It took a penalty from
Arturo Vidal to find a way past him in the last eight.
YACINE BRAHIMI | PORTO | The Algerian winger
was a leading light in a fine campaign for the Portuguese side. A
stunning hat-trick on the opening day against BATE caught the
continent’s attention and he went on to register a further two goals –
including a belter against Basel – and three assists.
was a leading light in a fine campaign for the Portuguese side. A
stunning hat-trick on the opening day against BATE caught the
continent’s attention and he went on to register a further two goals –
including a belter against Basel – and three assists.
XABI ALONSO | BAYERN MUNICH | The Spaniard
did his utmost to keep Bayern’s hopes alive despite their injury crisis.
Super free-kick goals against Manchester City and Porto capped a strong
showing in the tournament, in which he made 803 passes as the heartbeat
of the semi-finalists’ side.
did his utmost to keep Bayern’s hopes alive despite their injury crisis.
Super free-kick goals against Manchester City and Porto capped a strong
showing in the tournament, in which he made 803 passes as the heartbeat
of the semi-finalists’ side.
TONI KROOS | REAL MADRID | The Germany star
completed more passes than anyone else in the tournament and bagged
three assists to boot. In a side which was blighted by injuries in the
latter stages, Kroos was a standout performer.
completed more passes than anyone else in the tournament and bagged
three assists to boot. In a side which was blighted by injuries in the
latter stages, Kroos was a standout performer.
ANDRES INIESTA | BARCELONA | Having switched
to a deeper role this season, Iniesta emerged as the dictator behind
Barca’s latest treble-winning incarnation. Five assists across the
tournament – including one for Ivan Rakitic in the final, in which he
was arguably the best player – capped a superb European campaign for the
Spain star.
to a deeper role this season, Iniesta emerged as the dictator behind
Barca’s latest treble-winning incarnation. Five assists across the
tournament – including one for Ivan Rakitic in the final, in which he
was arguably the best player – capped a superb European campaign for the
Spain star.
LIONEL MESSI | BARCELONA | Ten goals and five
assists this year make him the most lethal attacker in the tournament,
but his all-round play in the knockout rounds was nothing short of
inspirational. He tore Manchester City to pieces and left Bayern
embarrassed at Camp Nou to guide Barca to their fourth final in nine
years, and his decisive pass and saved shot led to two of their final
goals.
assists this year make him the most lethal attacker in the tournament,
but his all-round play in the knockout rounds was nothing short of
inspirational. He tore Manchester City to pieces and left Bayern
embarrassed at Camp Nou to guide Barca to their fourth final in nine
years, and his decisive pass and saved shot led to two of their final
goals.
LUIZ ADRIANO | SHAKHTAR DONETSK | The
Brazilian dragged his largely inconsistent side through the group stage
by scoring a remarkable nine goals, five of which came in the hammering
of BATE. He also led the line spiritedly in the 0-0 draw with Bayern
before Shakhtar’s shortcomings were laid bare in the last-16 second leg.
Brazilian dragged his largely inconsistent side through the group stage
by scoring a remarkable nine goals, five of which came in the hammering
of BATE. He also led the line spiritedly in the 0-0 draw with Bayern
before Shakhtar’s shortcomings were laid bare in the last-16 second leg.
CRISTIANO RONALDO | REAL MADRID | Europe’s
top league goalscorer could not have done much more to keep his side’s
title defence alive, not least as he rescued them from embarrassment at
home to Schalke. Ten goals and four assists throughout the campaign –
including two in the semi-final – saw him shine in the tournament once
again.
top league goalscorer could not have done much more to keep his side’s
title defence alive, not least as he rescued them from embarrassment at
home to Schalke. Ten goals and four assists throughout the campaign –
including two in the semi-final – saw him shine in the tournament once
again.
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