NMA – UCL MD-11 Player Picks

The road to Wembley has just two more stops, and the competition is fierce. Will Real Madrid go all the way to an unprecedented 15^th European title? Will Nasser Al-Khelaifi’s 13 year-long investment in the Parisians finally reach the light at the end of the tunnel? Or could we see a repeat of an all-German final exactly a decade since? These are the players that are going to make history!

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Keepers

There are only two matches, and they’re on separate days, so if you can get two starting keepers, get one from each match. Pick either Neuer (Bayern) or Lunin (R Madrid) for Tuesday, and then (if you have enough transfers) pick either Kobel (Dortmund) or Donnarumma (PSG) for Wednesday.

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Andriy Lunin (€4.8m, Bayern v Real Madrid)

In the history of the UEFA Champions League, no single matchup has taken place more often than Bayern vs Real Madrid. In this tie, I would levitate towards Madrid’s defense. Their games against City proved anything but, but their general game-play is to sit low and absorb pressure, naturally resulting in very few chances conceded to their opponents. Bayern’s lackluster finishing this season would only add to Lunin’s save points.

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Gregor Kobel (€5m, Dortmund v PSG)

I do not see either team keeping, or even trying to keep clean sheets in this tie with both the defenses not exactly watertight, so this is quite a close call. What goes in favour of Kobel is that he is playing the first game at home with the backing of the mighty Yellow Wall and is less error prone than his Parisian counterpart. Kobel is the top scoring goalkeeper by a good margin of 10 points, with 8 of them coming only from save points. He is also 1m cheaper than Donnarumma, enabling you to spend the cash upfront instead.

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Defenders

Mats Hummels and Ian Maatsen (€5.2m and €4.7m, Dortmund v PSG)

Caveat: Both Germans have been nursing recent knocks, but both are back in training with everything on the line, so they’re expected to start on Wednesday unless one aggravates his injury during warmup.

Hummels, 35, who was dropped from the German National Team in 2021 for a “squad refresh”, is certainly making a very strong case to be a starter again in the Euros this year. He has been in colossal form, especially in the Champions League, proving his experience and know-how time and again and carrying Dortmund from the Group of Death all the way to the semis. His ball recoveries and aeriel threat, both in his box and the opponents’, will be key to Dortmund’s chance of progression.

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Maatsen, Dortmund’s very own flying fullback, is the answer to ex-Dortmunder fullback Hakimi. The Chelsea loaner is active in attack, proved by his important goal against Atletico Madrid last time out. He also has 27 ball recoveries in the four knock out games so far, exhibiting defensive solidity (and providing fantasy points) as well.

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Raphael Guerreiro (€5m, Bayern v R Madrid)

The former Dortmund fullback has finally hit top gear and is flying in Bundesliga (and potentially UCL?) for rival Bayern now. The technically adept Portuguese international, traditionally deployed at fullback, has featured further up the pitch in recent games, a defender playing an attacking role, which is every fantasy manager’s dream. He has two assists in his last three UCL outings, including an assist to the all-important goal to knock out Arsenal.

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Achraf Hakimi (€6.1m, Dortmund v PSG)

What’s up with Dortmund and excellent wing-backs? Another former Black and Yellow now features for Paris, facing his former employers for the third time this season. His one UCL goal this season has come against the Germans, and his one assist in Europe came last time out against Barcelona, where he featured in multiple attacking scenarios. The defender is notching attacker-like numbers, with 12 G+A in all games played so far. He also has 52 ball recoveries, guaranteeing a good number of points regardless of the result.

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Lucas Vazquez (€4.4m, Bayern v Real Madrid)

Madrid is all about grinding out the results, especially in the Champions League, which is basically their playground at this point. Veteran Dani Carvajal is out suspended, and will most likely be replaced by Lucas Vazquez, who has an assist, two clean sheets and 13 balls recovered in just about 282 minutes played. He has a similar ratio of performance domestically, at 8 G+A in just under 1500 minutes played.

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Midfielders

Vitinha (€6.1m, Dortmund v PSG)

With feuds and apparent oppression put aside, the Portuguese midfielder is blossoming with the newfound freedom in the middle of the park. He had two goals in the QF’s two legs against Barcelona.

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Jamal Musiala (€8.4m, Bayern v Real Madrid)

Both Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry are rumored to feature but are running their races to get fit in time for the game. So if you own either one of them, don’t sell them. If you do not though, Musiala is an enticing option. Against Real Madrid’s low block, Messi-ala’s ball control and dribbling in tight spaces would likely be a key contributor to Bayern’s attack. He does his fair share of defending and interceptions as well, meaning that his floor fantasy returns would definitely be more than a 2.

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Marcel Sabitzer (€5.5m, Dortmund v PSG)

The former Leipzig midfielder, formerly known for his long-range exploits, seems to be rediscovering his best form in the most crucial time for his new employers. The combative Austrian is highly active in attacking link-up play, exhibited by his 15 G+A so far this season, and he faces a leaky PSG defense. He has been coming in clutch as well, finishing off the tie and sealing their semifinals spot with his goal plus two assists against Atletico.

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Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde (€8m and €7.5m, Bayern v Real Madrid)

Bellingham started the season at blistering pace, even earning early calls to be the Balon D’or winner this year. Though his overall impact is still the same, his name in the goals has been reduced by injury absence and domestic suspension. But the big players step up in the big games, and Bellingham will be facing a familiar foe in Bayern.

Another clutch player is Fede Valverde, who is making his name for outrageously long-distance screamers. Any second balls warded off from counter attacks are likely to fall into his strike territory. He is almost a differential at 13% ownership. He does a fair share of defensive duty as well with 37 ball recoveries. Not bad for an attacking midfielder!

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Forwards

Kylian Mbappe (€11.7m, Dortmund v PSG)

Leading the total European scoring charts at 43 goals in 44 games, mercurial Mbappe is also leading the UCL golden boot race with eight. Contending with counters is not Dortmund’s strength, fortuitously favoring the fleet-footed forward’s forte.

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Harry Kane (€10.2m, Bayern Munich v R Madrid)

The Champions League is the last available for the English hitman, still looking to break his duck. It is also the last chance for the departing Thomas Tuchel to save his blushes in an otherwise disappointing season. Kane may not be too familiar with these stages of the highest format of European football, but the numbers don’t lie; he is right on Mbappe’s tail with 42 goals overall, seven in the UCL.

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Vinicius Jr (€11.1m, Bayern v Real Madrid)

Another speedster who has been evolving into a much more complete attacker is Vini Jr, notching 19 goals plus 11 assists so far this season. Again, Bayern’s possession-based press plays to Vini’s strength, being able to set up deadly counters at the flick of his boot.

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How’s your UCL Fantasy roster shaping up? What holes must you fill? Who are you scouting? What’s your bottleneck, budget or transfers? Are you playing a chip? Please log in and post in the comments below!

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