Salah, Kroos and the Champions League Team of the Season so far
FT Desk
- Updated: 12 Dec 2021 16:00 GMT
- 5 min read
The Champions League group stage has now concluded with the top two sides from each of the groups progressing to the last 16.
Those who finished in third place will drop down to the Europa League, while those who finished fourth will no longer play European football this season.
It wasn't a group stage bereft of drama in 2021/22 as for the first time in 21 years, Barcelona failed to progress to the knockout stage after losing out in a group alongside Bayern Munich, Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv.
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A remarkable three teams finished with a 100% record in the group stage, winning all six matches - Bayern, Liverpool and Ajax.
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Juventus and Real Madrid also progressed with impressive points tallies, though the Bianconeri did suffer an embarrassing 4-0 defeat away at Chelsea.
Below features FootballTransfers' best XI of the group stage.
GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
No team in the group stage conceded fewer goals than Real Madrid's three and one of the main factors behind that was the form of Thibaut Courtois, who was again outstanding between the sticks for Los Blancos.
He didn't simply sit tight behind truly formidable defence, either, as he saw plenty of strikes on goal and actually has the best save % of any goalkeeper in the competition so far.
RB: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Joao Cancelo's sparkling form for Man City domestically has translated into Europe, too, as he has been wonderful for Pep Guardiola's side.
Not simply a full-back anymore, Cancelo is one of Man City's greatest creative forces as highlighted by his tally of three assists and two goals in the group stage.
A fabulous return from a player who is looking like the best in the world in his position currently.
CB: Joel Matip (Liverpool)
Virgil van DIjk usually steals all the headlines at the back for Liverpool, but Joel Matip has been as good as, if not better than the big Dutchman this season.
In particular in the Champions League, too, as he played every single second of the group stage for Liverpool as they progressed unbeaten.
Matip has had a couple of different partners, but has shone every time.
CB: David Alaba (Real Madrid)
Courtois was called into action plenty of times for Real Madrid, but overall Los Blancos looked fairly solid at the back, with former Bayern defender David Alaba impressing in his debit season for the Spanish giants.
With both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane gone, Alaba has stepped up to be the senior member of the backline.
And, he even got on the scoresheet in the group stage.
LB: Reinildo (Lille)
One of the reasons that Lille surprisingly shrugged off their mediocre Ligue 1 form to progress was the strength of their defence, and no-one typified their scrappy spirit than Reinildo at left-back.
Although he can be prone to diving in at times and can be drawn into unnecessary shows of hot-headedness, he was a redoubtable figure for LOSC. They only conceded four goals in six games, two of which were penalties, and their left-back was their standout.
CM: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Like a fine wine, Toni Kroos just seems to get better with age as even into his 30s he still controls games from the middle of the pitch in a way that few others can.
He has actually added some goals to his game in the Champions League this campaign, though, as he scored against both Sheriff and Inter in the final two matches of the group.
They weren't just normal goals, either, but wonderful strikes - one with his right and one with his left.
AMR: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The best player in the world right now? Liverpool fans certainly think so and on the evidence of a strong Champions League group stage, few can blame them.
Mohamed Salah scored seven goals in six games as the Reds historically became the first English club to go through the pools without dropping a point. The 29-year-old was a key reason for that.
AMC: Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
While Bundesliga fans have long known about the qualities of former PSG youth player Christopher Nkunku, the versatile Frenchman brought his skills to the highest level in the Champions League.
His haul of seven goals and one assist is remarkable given the role he plays – and even more so given that Leipzig typically struggled. Indeed, his participation in the competition is over, which is unfortunate given how impressive he was.
AML: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Along with Lionel Messi, who achieved some impressive numbers, Kylian Mbappe was the man who ultimately dragged this unbalanced PSG side through to the knockout stages.
His individualism shone for the Parisian club as he chalked up four goals and four assists. Indeed, he made a decisive contribution in every single game he played.
CF: Sebastien Haller (Ajax)
Sebastien Haller has been marvellous in the Champions League for Ajax, and on Matchday Five became the fastest player ever to score nine goals in the competition, ahead of the likes of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Rarely played in the correct position at West Ham, Haller is proving his worth at an elite level and seems to be relishing the opportunity to do so, too.
CF: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern)
Not much can be said about Robert Lewandowski that hasn't been said already.
The Bayern striker may not have been given the honour of the Ballon d'Or, but he is still the most potent man in the opposition's box in the world at the moment.
In total, he scored no less than nine goals in the Champions League group stage as the German giants blew away the teams before them.
