Real Madrid vs. Manchester City Combined XI for Champions League Semifinal
RW Riyad Mahrez
Ever since Gareth Bale’s decline, the right-wing has been a position of concern for Real Madrid. The club needs a goalscoring right-winger with a left-foot like Mo Salah or Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian international has been one hell of a goalscorer for Manchester City since his arrival, and he deservedly makes it into this combined XI. Mahrez has registered a whopping total of 22 goals in all competitions this season, of which six have come in the Champions League.
This has been a relatively easier selection, given Real Madrid’s troubles in this position and Mahrez’s tremendous impact as a goalscoring right-winger.
CF Karim Benzema
Like Luka Modric, Karim Benzema is another player who walks his way into this combined XI. 38 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season, out of which 12 goals have come in the UEFA Champions League. And those goals include back-to-back hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the Champions League knockout stages. Do I need to mention anything more about the best player in the world right now?
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LW Vinicius Jr
If we made this lineup around 10-11 months ago, none of us would have picked Vinicius Jr. But in one year, Vinicius Jr has turned everything around. There has been a complete transformation in his finishing and decision making, with the Brazilian registering 17 goals and 17 assists (including penalties won) in all competitions this season. Not only are these numbers superior to Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling‘s numbers, but Vinicius’ contributions have also come at a clutch time.
He started this season as a goalscorer, but in recent weeks he has drifted towards a creative role, with his focus primarily on exploiting spaces and creating from wide areas. He has the most shot-creating actions in LaLiga to his name, creating a chance for him or his teammates once every 16 minutes, which shows us a lot about his brilliant form this season.