Tournament Focus: Champions League Team of the Group Stage

Wins for Arsenal and Chelsea on Wednesday night meant only one of the four Premier League sides - Manchester United - dropped out of the Champions League. Given the London pairing’s questionable start to the competition and Manchester City’s indifferent form it’s a commendable and somewhat surprising feat. Much of that, though, was down to individual quality rather than a team effort, with Arsenal and Chelsea boasting no fewer than four players in WhoScored’s team of the Champions League group stages. 

Willian has arguably been Chelsea’s player of the season so far, in what has been a disappointing campaign for the defending Premier League champions. The Brazilian was on hand to wrap up all three points in west London on Wednesday night as Chelsea secured safe passage to the next round of Europe’s elite competition as group G winners at Porto's expense. Willian’s second half strike was his fifth in the Champions League this term, with his WhoScored rating (8.26) enough to secure a spot on the right flank. 

Given Chelsea netted 11 goals in the six group games, his contribution was vital for Jose Mourinho’s side in order to avoid dropping down into the Europa League for the second time in four years. On the opposite flank is Arsenal ace Alexis Sanchez (8.39), who just pips Neymar (8.35) to the left wing spot. The Chilean completed 32 successful dribbles in the group stages of the Champions League, a return bettered only by Porto wing-wizard Yacine Brahimi (35) in the six games. 

The 26-year-old was crucial for the Gunners in the Champions League prior to his injury and was directly involved in seven (three goals, four assists) of Arsenal’s nine goals in his five appearances in the competition. No player bettered his four assists in the group stages of the Champions League and while Alexis is currently ruled out with a hamstring problem, the Gunners will welcome the well-rested attacker back in time for the knockout round of the Champions League. 

Indeed, there’s a South American feel to the Champions League team of the group stages, with no fewer than six players to go with Willian and Alexis hailing from the continent. Perhaps the two stand out participants are Russia-based pair Mario Fernandes (7.73) and Hulk (8.79). The former made more tackles and interceptions combined (57) than any other player, a list in which Cesar Azpilicueta, who stars at left-back in the team, ranks second, with 50. 

While CSKA Moscow finished bottom of group B, Fernandes’ defensive performances will have boosted his profile over his five appearances. Conversely, Hulk’s Zenit topped their group, winning five of six European games, only losing to Gent after resting key players having already secured their place in the last-16 of the Champions League. Brazil international Hulk was directly involved in seven (three goals, four assists) of Zenit’s 13 Champions League goals. Like Alexis, Hulk’s four assists was the joint-best in the group stages, while his 28 successful dribbles was third to the Arsenal man and Brahimi. 

As one might expect, Hulk is partnered in attack by the competition’s top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal international scored more goals (11) than any other player, with that return better than 21 of the 32 teams in the group stages of the Champions League. The Real Madrid star registered more shots per game (8.5) than any other player, highlighting his unwavering confidence in his pursuit of goals. Only five perfect 10 WhoScored ratings have been awarded in Europe’s elite competition this term, one of which was handed out to Ronaldo against Malmo on Tuesday night. Having scored 11 of Madrid's 19 Champions League goals, the 30-year-old has scored a higher proportion of his side's goals (57.9%) than any other player so far.

Luis Suarez (8.10) was unlucky not to feature, with his rating the third best of strikers, but it’s Hulk and Ronaldo who star in attack in the team of the Champions League group stages. However, while Hulk impressed for Zenit, his rating was bettered by Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara (9.07), the best in the competition. The Spain international averaged the second most passes per game (108.8) over the six group games and mustered a notable pass success rate (91.7%). Meanwhile, his average of 131.5 touches per game was the most of all players, highlighting just how involved he was for Bayern in the middle of the park. 

While the Spaniard is the one to recycle possession in the WhoScored team, Sevilla ace Grzegorz Krychowiak would be the ball winner in the side. No player made more interceptions than the Poland international (30) in the group stages of the Champions League, reinforcing his WhoScored strength of ‘ball interception’. Moreover, a total of 25 aerial duels won was the fourth highest of all players. Krychowiak also managed an excellent pass success rate of 90.8%, though that does fall below 'Best XI' teammate Thiago Silva (94.3%). 

The PSG centre-back’s composure and commendable ability on the ball meant his pass success rate was the third best in the Champions League group stages. The French club progressed at a canter, losing only to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu to finish second in group A. Silva was central to PSG’s resolute defence, which conceded the fewest goals (1) in the group stages. Partnering him is Diego Godin, whose Atletico Madrid boasted the joint second best defence from the six games, shipping just three goals. 

The Uruguayan won possession in the defensive third a respectable 26 times in six appearances, the fourth best in the Champions League. This allowed for Atletico to instigate swift attacks, playing a vital role in Atletico’s progression to the next round of the competition as group C winners. 

Arsenal shotstopper Petr Cech completes the XI having impressed when welcomed into the side following David Ospina’s laborious performances in the competition. The Czech Republic international averaged a commendable 5.3 saves per game from his four European outings, while his average of 1.5 cross claims per game was also among the best. Cech provided the necessary resilience between the sticks to help the Gunners secure their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Who would make your Champions League team of the group stages? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below