Champions League Semi-final: Manchester City vs Real Madrid COMBINED XI: Two of the biggest names currently in world football go head-to-head once more in a mouthwatering 2nd Leg clash of the UEFA Champions League semifinals as Real Madrid are set to overturn the tie at Santiago Bernabeu following a 4-3 thriller at the Etihad. Follow InsideSport.IN for more updates on Sports.
Champions League Semi-final: Real Madrid vs Manchester City COMBINED XI: Action filled 2nd Leg semifinal awaits the Santiago Bernabeu after a 4-3 thriller at the Etihad – Check out
🔝 Riyad Mahrez or Vinícius Júnior?#UCL pic.twitter.com/4lxBH54BcM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 2, 2022
Champions League Semi-final: Manchester City vs Real Madrid COMBINED XI
Real Madrid and Manchester City have an indisputable amount of quality flowing through their squads across every position. And if a combined XI was to be made with the two rosters, the result would be a team with frightening quality.
(GK) Thibaut Courtois; (RB) Kyle Walker, (CB) Ruben Dias, (CB) Eder Militao, (LB) Joao Cancelo; (MID) Kevin De Bruyne, (MID) Toni Kroos, (MID) Luka Modric; (RW) Riyad Mahrez (CF) Karim Benzema, (LW) Vinicius Jr
Goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois
Ederson and Thibaut Courtois, are two of the best keepers in the world currently. Ederson fits the Man City system so well due to his impeccable distribution, if this team were to choose a goalkeeper down to pure shot-stopping ability, Thibaut Courtois gets in ahead of the Brazilian.
Despite letting in 4 goals at the Etihad, the Belgian shot-stopper made a save and with eight recoveries and will have a bigger role to play in the 2nd leg of the crucial Champions League semi-final. In La Liga he has made a total of 90 saves keeping 14 clean sheets and has kept 4 clean sheets making 42 saves in the UCL 2021/22 campaign.
This season Courtois has faced 107 shots, saving 79 of them with a save percentage of 74.8%, while Ederson has saved 50 shots out of the 72 he has faced with a percentage of 72.2%.
Defenders – Kyle Walker – Ruben Dias – Eder Militao – Joao Cancelo
At left-back, there can be no questions on the selection of Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese has arguably been the best left-back in the world this season, and arguably one of the most efficient players in the world.
Cancelo has three goals and nine assists from left-back this season across all competitions, making him a major threat going forward, and his recovery pace is a huge asset while defending but he is suspended for the 1st Leg.
At centre-back David Alaba, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are all very accomplished in their own right, but Ruben Dias and Eder Militao make the perfect duo to marshal the backline.
With Dias’ brilliant spatial awareness, strength and tackling ability he is undroppable in this team, just as he is in Pep Guardiola’s City setup. Militao, on the other hand, brings brilliant aerial ability, pace and youthful aggression to perfectly complement his CB partner.
On the right side, Kyle Walker slots in comfortably. Having established himself as one of the most solid fullbacks in the world ever since moving to Manchester City, his incredible speed and tirelessness round out a very balanced backline.
Midfielders – Kevin De Bruyne – Toni Kroos – Luka Modric
Kevin De Bruyne claimed an assist and a goal in the 1st Leg at the Etihad but Modric and Kroos will have a big part to play in their side’s comeback in the 2nd Leg clash. Modric’s footwork and ludicrous creativity gives the Ballon d’Or winner a nailed-on spot in this combined XI.
Modric and Kroos have been one of the most revered midfield partnerships of this generation. The Real Madrid duo can rightfully stake a claim as two of the best midfielders of all time.
Although Casemiro is in with a shout of being in this side as well, ignoring a player as intelligent as Kroos who can manage the game with his technique and smart decision-making is very difficult. Not to mention, he is not afraid to work hard and get his hands dirty sometimes.
In the final midfield spot comes the mercurial Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian is arguably the best midfielder in the world at the moment and has consistently been in that discussion for the past few years.
His technical ability is not up for debate, but to go with it, he brings incredible energy to the team with a willingness to run hard and proactively make things happen.
Attack – Riyad Mahrez – Karim Benzema – Vinicius Jr
Riyad Mahrez managed to get an assist to his name as Benzema bagged a brace and Vinicius Junior scored a goal in the 1st Leg. There is definitely more to come from the forwards in the 2nd Leg of this crucial tie.
Mahrez jumps to mind immediately as a goal-scoring right-winger with a delightful first touch. He is the obvious candidate for the right flank, with his flair and eye for goal. The Algerian has 22 goals across all competitions this season.
Vinicius Junior comes in on the left side after a tremendous season for the Brazilian. His stint at Real Madrid started off slow, and he was seen as a diamond in the rough, particularly due to his woes with finishing.
Champions League Semi-final: Real Madrid vs Manchester City COMBINED XI
However, Vini has truly come into his own this season. His dazzling speed and quick feet are a nightmare to deal with for any defender. His haul of 17 goals and 14 assists in all competitions is nothing short of spectacular.
Karim Benzema at 34, he has been in spectacular form and is arguably the best player in the world at the moment. The Frenchman is joint second in the race for the European Golden Boot and is running away in the La Liga top scorer charts.
His movement, finishing and creativity to boot, make him an incredibly dangerous striker with an air of inevitability every time he takes to the pitch. Any chance, no matter how small, on his right foot, left foot or head, can turn into a goal.
Champions League Semi-final: Real Madrid vs Manchester City COMBINED XI: Action filled 2nd Leg semifinal awaits the Santiago Bernabeu after a 4-3 thriller at the Etihad – Check out
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