Barcelona sensation lands individual Champions League accolade
We’re down from 32 to 16 teams in the Champions League following the culmination of Wednesday’s matches. Here, using our unique rating system, we run through the best-rated XI from the group stages.
Goalkeeper - Samir Handanovic (Inter) 7.36 rating
Inter may have crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages, but the form of Samir Handanovic ensured they always had a fighting chance of progression. A return of 32 saves was the third highest, while nine saves against Barcelona was the second highest in a match. Inter shipped just seven goals in six matches, the fourth fewest of those to not progress to the last-16, with Handanovic deserving of a WhoScored rating of 7.36.
Right-back - Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax) 7.39 rating
Youngster Noussair Mazraoui makes the cut at right-back after a series of mature performances for Ajax. The Dutch side may have just missed out on top spot after Wednesday’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Bayern, but that shouldn’t take away what has been a fine group campaign for the Eredivisie giants and 21-year-old Mazraoui. The defender scored twice in positive results against Bayern and Benfica while averages of 3.5 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game contributed to a WhoScored rating of 7.39.
Centre-back - Abdou Diallo (Borussia Dortmund) 7.45 rating
Borussia Dortmund conceded fewer goals (2) than any other team in the group stages of the Champions League and kept a clean sheet in five of their six matches, the best return. Part of the reason for their solid backline was the performances of summer signing Abdou Diallo, who has slotted in seamlessly following his arrival from Mainz 05. His vision and WhoScored strength of ‘passing’ ensured Dortmund dominated as a 90.3% pass success rate from an average of 76 passes per game helped land a WhoScored rating of 7.45.
Centre-back - Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich) 7.51 rating
It’s an all-Bundesliga centre-back pairing with Mats Hummels joining Diallo at the back in this XI. Bayern scraped into the next round as group winners by the skin of their teeth, yet Hummels was a sturdy performer when he featured. Bayern conceded just one goal when the German featured from the off as he made impressive returns of 3.8 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and three clearances per game for the Bavarian giants.
Left-back - Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax) 7.48 rating
Rounding off the defence and guaranteeing an all-Ajax full-back pairing is Argentine left-back Nicolas Tagliafico. He set the standard for a notable group stage campaign in a man of the match display in a 3-0 win over AEK Athens back in gameweek one, netting a brace in the victory, and bagged his third in the 3-3 draw with Bayern. Additional returns of 3.6 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game capped off a fine group stage for Tagliafico, earning him a WhoScored rating of 7.48 in the process.
Right midfield - Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 8.88 rating
The player of the group stage with a WhoScored rating of 8.88, Lionel Messi was at his scintillating best as Barcelona eased to the next round of the Champions League. He landed perfect 10s in wins over PSV and Tottenham and while he couldn’t build on those against Inter and Spurs, he still excelled. He won the WhoScored man of the match award in three of his four appearances while only Robert Lewandowski (8) scored more goals than Messi (6) in the group stages as the Argentine attacker shone once more.
Central midfield - David Silva (Manchester City) 7.88 rating
David Silva was again at his mercurial best for Manchester City in the group stages as Pep Guardiola’s side topped their group, despite hiccups against Lyon both home and away. The experienced Spaniard, no less, scored three and assisted one for City from respective returns of two shots and 2.8 key passes per game to secure his spot in the team with a 7.88 rating.
Central midfield - Nikola Vlasic (CSKA Moscow) 7.88 rating
When you beat Real Madrid home and away and still don’t progress to the next round of the Champions League, you just know luck isn’t on your side. CSKA Moscow were desperately unfortunate not to even make the Europa League despite the best efforts of Nikola Vlasic. The 21-year-old secured the man of the match award in CSKA’s 3-0 win at Real Madrid on Tuesday night and it contributed to a WhoScored rating of 7.88, with the young Croat scoring three and assisting two across his six Champions League appearances.
Left midfield - Neymar (PSG) 8.44 rating
Neymar won more WhoScored man of the match awards (4) than any other player in the group stages of the Champions League as he played a key role in PSG’s progression to the next round of the competition. Indeed, the Brazilian scored five and assisted two from his six outings and finished top for successful dribbles (32) and third for key passes (21) to help secure a WhoScored rating of 8.44, the third best in the group stages.
Striker - Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) 8.00 rating
The penultimate player in this XI, Robert Lewandowski scored more goals (8) than any other player in the group stages of the Champions League to fire Bayern Munich to top spot in group E. A conversion rate of 33.3% was a respectable return for the Pole, who scored more clear-cut goalscoring chances (6) than any other player to help land a WhoScored rating of 8.00.
Striker - Edin Dzeko (Roma) 8.49 rating
Rounding off the team and partnering Lewandowski in attack is Roma hitman Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian missed the last two games of the group stage due to injury, but in his four appearances, Dzeko netted five and assisted two, as he churned out man of the match displays in wins over Viktoria Plzen and CSKA Moscow. Five shots, 4.3 aerial duels won and 1.5 key passes per game means the 32-year-old was good value for a WhoScored rating of 8.49.
