{"id":1107119,"date":"2019-09-19T18:04:33","date_gmt":"2019-09-19T17:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1107119"},"modified":"2019-09-19T18:14:03","modified_gmt":"2019-09-19T17:14:03","slug":"champions-league-combined-xi-worst-best-matchday-one","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/champions-league-combined-xi-worst-best-matchday-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Salzburg rampant as Real Madrid fail: Best and worst combined XIs from matchday one of the Champions League"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Champions League is back.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, after what seemed like years of empty Tuesday and Wednesday nights (we don’t include summer football in that), Europe’s premier competition is back and with a lot to live up to after last season’s drama.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7373702-tammy-abraham-can-equal-a-unique-luis-suarez-feat-vs-liverpool<\/p>\n

And, credit where it’s due, it didn’t get off to a bad start. We saw two European heavyweights throw away 2-0 leads, the most successful side in the tournament’s history get dismantled in Paris and the holders were humbled in Naples.<\/p>\n

In fact, of the eight favourites, only three won.<\/p>\n

After an engrossing first matchday, we made an XI of those who blew us away, as well as an XI of those who failed to live up to the billing.<\/p>\n

Best Combined XI<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
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It’s absolutely remarkable that a goalkeeper of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s quality is not even his country’s first-choice keeper.<\/p>\n

Manuel Neuer flippantly compared the shot-stopper to Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno recently \u2013 Ter Stegen responded by putting on a stunning display to keep a rampant Dortmund side at bay.<\/p>\n

He made four saves, including some vital one-on-ones, and pulled off a splendid penalty stop to preserve a valuable point and clean sheet for Barcelona in what was, on paper, their toughest group game.<\/p>\n

Key stat:\u00a0<\/strong>Ter Stegen is the first (and only) ‘keeper to save a penalty in the Champions League so far this season.<\/p>\n

Right-back: Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
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A few eyebrows were raised when Atletico pursued Kieran Trippier in the summer. After the World Cup in 2018, Trippier had struggled to rediscover his form.<\/p>\n

However, in Madrid, he has thrived. He has been excellent so far this season and continued that trend on his Champions League debut, providing an assist and also making a vital block to prevent Juventus going 3-1 up.<\/p>\n

He was crucial in attack and defence. The Bury Beckham is back.<\/p>\n

Key stat:\u00a0<\/strong>Kieran Trippier created seven chances for Atl\u00e9tico Madrid against Juventus, the most by any player on matchday one of this season’s UEFA Champions League.<\/p>\n

Centre-back: Mats Hummels (Dortmund)
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Another German to impress at Signal Iduna Park \u2013 and another German who can’t get a look-in for the national side.<\/p>\n

Many may have thought Bayern’s willingness to offload Hummels to rivals Dortmund was a sign of his demise, however, the centre-back is clearly here to prove people wrong.<\/p>\n

Against a star-studded attack, Hummels was at his imperious best. Dortmund’s defence has been craving someone with an authoritative aura about them and, on his day, few can boast that more than Hummels. Perhaps Joachim Low is starting to regret axing Hummels from Die Mannschaft.<\/p>\n

Key stat:<\/strong>\u00a0Hummels made eight interceptions against Barcelona \u2013 no player made more on matchday one.<\/p>\n

Centre-back: Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow)
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Lokomotiv Moscow’s win at Bayer Leverkusen is both impressive and underappreciated in equal measure. Leverkusen were subpar but still dominated the game: they had 78% of the ball but were limited to 17 shots and just five on target by an impressive rearguard display.<\/p>\n

Corluka was at the heart of that \u2013 organising everything and dominating the defending as Lokomotiv secured a huge win that gives them a fighting chance of staying in Europe beyond Christmas.<\/p>\n

Key stat:\u00a0<\/strong>Corluka made 12 clearances, three interceptions and two blocks in a classic centre-back performance.<\/p>\n

Left-back: Juan Bernat (PSG)
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A player who has consistently struggled to nail down a starting place throughout his career, Juan Bernat did his chances of regular football absolutely no harm on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

In the absence of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani, others would have to step up and provide some creative flair in order to unlock on a new-look Real Madrid back four. Not many would have counted on Bernat being that man.<\/p>\n

He was instrumental in the first and last goal and did well to nullify the threat of Gareth Bale and co. throughout. In fact, Real failed to have a single shot on target.<\/p>\n

Key stat:\u00a0<\/strong>Bernat registered two assists on matchday one \u2013 more than any other defender.<\/p>\n

Defensive midfielder: Idrissa Gana Gueye (PSG)
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Everyone knew Idrissa Gueye was a good player when he was at Everton and his move to PSG was something which he probably deserved. However, his display last night was nothing short of world-class.<\/p>\n

He absolutely dominated a star-studded midfield and reminded everyone why he has often drawn comparisons to N’Golo Kante in the past. Defensively and offensively, he was sensational, leaving us all wondering why it’s taken so long for him to get snapped up by a Champions League side.<\/p>\n

A criticism of PSG in the past has been their lack of a quality central midfielder to partner Marco Verratti. They may have found their man.<\/p>\n

Key stat:\u00a0<\/strong>Gueye completed 100% of his take-ons, had a 93% passing accuracy and recovered possession six times, as well as recording an assist.<\/p>\n

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Idrissa Gueye's game by numbers vs. Real Madrid:<\/p>\n

100% take-ons completed
93% pass accuracy
90 touches
74 passes
6 recoveries
4 tackles made
3 chances created
3 take-ons
2 fouls won
2 interceptions<\/p>\n

Most passes completed in the final third, too. ? pic.twitter.com\/UEukUVwcFt<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 18, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n