UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski all feature in the UEFA Technical Observers’ Squad of the Season, but who else has made the 18-man selection?
Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Technical Observers say: Excellent performances. A talisman for his team.
Jan Oblak (Atlético)
Technical Observers say: Outstanding shot-stopping underlined by a high number of saves made.
Defenders
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Technical Observers say: Key member of Juventus’ back three. Combined good defending with vision and range of passing.
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Technical Observers say: Performed outstandingly as the competition progressed.
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Technical Observers say: Like fellow Madrid full-back Carvajal, an outstanding contributor.
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Technical Observers say: The captain and key defender for the UEFA Champions League winners.
Diego Godín (Atlético)
Technical Observers say: Bedrock of Atlético’s outstanding team defending.
Midfielders
Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Technical Observers say: Provided Madrid’s midfield with defensive structure and balance, not to mention important goals.
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Technical Observers say: Assured in possession, positionally aware. Complete midfield performances.
Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)
Technical Observers say: Excellent quick tempo passing and incisive attacking play kept Madrid ticking.
Isco (Real Madrid)
Technical Observers say: Attacking midfield performances of the highest level. Can dribble, pass and score from left, right or centre.
Miralem Pjanić (Juventus)
Technical Observers say: Integral to Juventus on their run to the final. Quality deep-lying midfield play.
Tiemoué Bakayoko (Monaco)
Technical Observers say: Important defensive midfield performances for an impressive Monaco team.
Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Technical Observers say: Top scorer for the fifth consecutive season and man of the match in the final. Decisive performances throughout knockout phase.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Technical Observers say: Second top scorer and always capable of creating goals for himself and his team-mates.
Antoine Griezmann (Atlético)
Technical Observers say: Goalscoring, link-up play and work rate were an example to forwards everywhere.
Kylian Mbappé (Monaco)
Technical Observers say: The outstanding young player in an outstanding team of young players. Excellent strike play throughout.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern)
Technical Observers say: Another who performed very well, scoring goals and linking play in a dangerous Bayern team.
Maxwell Agbashie|ahotoronline.com|Ghana
