{"id":1353310,"date":"2024-05-30T15:57:44","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T14:57:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1353310"},"modified":"2024-05-31T13:15:36","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T12:15:36","slug":"champions-league-2023-24-best-players-combined-xi","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/champions-league-2023-24-best-players-combined-xi\/","title":{"rendered":"The best Champions League players of 2023\/24 in every position"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Champions League final is upon us once again, so it’s time to look back at the players that got us here.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every deep run in Europe’s elite competition needs a hero or two and the same goes for giant killings or memorable comebacks. But who has delivered the goods time and again in this season’s competition?<\/p>\n

We’ve picked 33 of the best players in the Champions League in 2023\/24 and used the Comparison Matrix to decide a combined XI team of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n

Goalkeeper<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
    \n
  1. Gregor Kobel<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Manuel Neuer<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Andriy Lunin<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Andriy Lunin has been inspirational covering for the injured Thibaut Courtois this season, while Manuel Neuer was back to his old self, right until a high-profile error in the semi-final second leg against Real Madrid. However, Gregor Kobel comes out on top, with the Swiss stopper saving 84% of the shots he’s faced and performing brilliantly with the ball at his feet.<\/p>\n

    Right-back<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    <\/div>\n
      \n
    1. Dani Carvajal<\/strong><\/li>\n
    2. Achraf Hakimi<\/strong><\/li>\n
    3. Joshua Kimmich<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      There’s a tie here between Dani Carvajal and Achraf Hakimi, but surely the spot has to go to the Spaniard, who continues to be a key component for Real Madrid in terms of leadership and sheer quality, despite never really getting the credit he’s deserved over his career. The 32-year-old was particularly impressive in the second legs against Manchester City and Bayern Munich, perhaps benefiting in the latter by sitting out the first leg with a suspension.<\/p>\n

      Centre-back<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      <\/div>\n
        \n
      1. Mats Hummels<\/strong><\/li>\n
      2. Antonio Rudiger<\/strong><\/li>\n
      3. Pepe<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        At 41 years old, Pepe had to at least get an honourable mention, if only for his stunning round of 16 first-leg performance against Arsenal. Antonio Rudiger, meanwhile, remains one of the best on the planet, despite being oddly underrated by many.<\/p>\n

        However, it’s Rudiger’s compatriot, Mats Hummels, who comes out on top. Despite turning 35 in December, Hummels has rolled back the years with some stunning defensive displays, finding the perfect balance between grit and grace. It’s\u00a0still\u00a0<\/em>hard to think of a better ball-playing centre-back right now.<\/p>\n