Champions League final combined eleven: Dembele, Donnaruma and Martinez feature
Expect a tense and thrilling Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. Here is an XI composed of the best performers from the two sides.
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
The towering Italian has been a cornerstone for PSG, delivering crucial saves throughout the tournament. There was the reactive drop down to his left to keep out Martin Odegaard’s low drive in the seventh minute in Paris. Then in the second half another, high to his right to deny Bukayo Saka. In fairness, Yann Sommer has been equally superb for Inter, making this a really tough call. But Donnarumma really knows how to use his height, both to intimidate attackers and to keep out shots at impossible distances, which is why he nicks it here. But only just.
Defenders
Denzel Dumfries (PSG)
Achraf Hakimi has been the best right-back in the world for some time – at least that’s what it says when you pick up a Moroccan sport newspaper. But Denzel Dumfries has to take the price here. While Hakimi’s pace and attacking prowess make him a constant threat down the right flank and his ability to switch from defence to offence faster than an actor who hears the word ‘action’ has been vital for PSG, Dumfries has been there, done that. There is also the small matter of the Dutchman’s explosive bicycle kick against Barcelona. Indeed, over the course of two legs against the Catalans, Dumfries scored two and assisted three of Inter’s seven goals.
Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
Composed, imperious, strong in the air, Bastoni has been a key figure in an Inter side that have conceded only 11 in 14 games, six of those coming in the free-scoring tie against Barcelona. He excels in possession and at 26 he marshals a defence composed of veterans. He has been named Inter Milan’s defender of the season.
Willian Pacho (PSG)
Pacho is a reliable presence at the heart of PSG’s defence. Where his teammates bring flair he brings physicality. When they struggle with aerial balls and set-pieces due to the general size of players in the squad, he is there to save them. Where they are tired, frail, he makes the hard tackles. Against Aston Villa, with the pressure building and all of Villa Park smelling blood and demanding the extra mile from their team, the extra goal, Pacho won more tackles than any of his teammates, got around more, contested every aerial duel.
Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Nuno Mendes gets about. His overlapping runs contribute significantly to the way PSG play. You might confuse him for a winger at times. In stoppage time against Villa at the Parc des Princes, the Portugal international was the most advanced player in his side, collecting Ousmane Dembele’s through-ball with a superb run and showing composure to outmanoeuvre Villa defenders and goalkeeper, before finishing on his weaker foot. It was an effort that simply oozed class.
Midfielders
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Inter Milan)
At 36, surely the Armenian’s best days are far behind him? But under Simone Inzaghi, Mkhitaryan is playing at a level that reminds viewers that he was once considered the best attacker in German football. Those days at Dortmund long gone, Mkhitaryan has played at Manchester United, Arsenal, AS Roma, and now Inter, but his vision and distribution are still top class, central to Inter’s midfield control. Not only does he dictate the tempo when the team are on the front foot, he also contributes defensively, running on fumes if he must.
Vitinha (PSG)
Vitinha’s technical skills and passing range have allowed PSG to maintain possession and transition effectively. The Portuguese has completed more passes than any other player in this season’s Champions League. He controls the tempo, often dropping deep in possession to act as the metronome, but then also popping up in advanced areas around the pitch. It’s difficult to win possession off him, hard to predict his movements. His work rate and creativity have been key assets in Enrique’s midfield.
Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
Ruiz brings the physicality to PSG’s midfield trio, but he is also a good passer of the ball and keeps it really well. It’s so hard to pick between him and Nicolo Barella in a midfield three that already has two creative players. Ruiz is much more technical and skilful, but Barella has incredible legs and gets around the pitch really well. However, Ruiz is tenacious too for PSG. Then there was that half-volley to put his side in front against Arsenal.
Attackers
Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
The highest goalscorer in Ligue 1 and a shout for the Ballon d’Or, Dembele is playing the best football of his life. He is at the centre of PSG’s attack, but always cleverly drops deep while wingers and full-backs make runs to either side of him. He finds them too. There was that pass to Nuno Mendes to all but seal Villa’s fate in the first leg. There was that brilliant ball to Barcola against Liverpool at Anfield, and then running late into the box to finish off the attack against the Premier League champions.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Kvaratskhelia’s flair and directness have taken PSG to a whole new level since his January arrival at the club. He has made the left wing his own and his contributions in terms of goals and assists have been significant. His brilliant piece of play to dispatch Axel Disasi and then finish off the move with a rocket of a shot beyond Emiliano Martinez is one to watch over and over again.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
In a 4-3-3 a right winger would be needed to complete this list. But it’s either have a mismatched XI or exclude Lautaro Martinez. Easy decision then. The Argentine has been superbly clinical this season and his goals have been pivotal in Inter’s journey to the final. He always scores at crucial moments too and is definitely one to watch out for in the final on Saturday.
