The Champions League is a career determination contest. A few good performances on Europe’s biggest club stage can boost a player’s reputation, help them sign new contracts or even attract scouts from opposing teams.
Over the years, we have been very fortunate to see people who like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe flower. But each new season in the Champions League brings new players capable of taking their form to the next level.
With memories of the failed April attempt by 12 clubs to forge a breakaway European Super League still fresh, the 2021-22 Champions League group stage is proof that you don’t have to mess with your competitors.
So here are 11 players who have stepped up to shine this season. Some of them have made their name at their current clubs, but their contributions in Europe have taken them to another level.
– Daily ESPN FC live stream on ESPN+ (US only)
– No ESPN? Instant access
Goalie: Georgios Athanasiadis, 28, Police Chief Tiraspol
Sheriff amazing 2-1 win end Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Champions League group stage certainly wouldn’t have happened without a string of brilliant saves from the Greek goalkeeper, and who was denied Luka Modric from close range at the end of the second half was particularly outstanding.
A loan signing from AEK Athens this summer, Athanasiadis faced a staggering 28 shots in the Spanish capital, 11 of which were on target, and did a brilliant job to save the game. keep Madrid. He also proved decisive for the Moldovan bulls in getting through their group stage as he kept two clean sheets against Dinamo Zagreb in the knockout stages. Excellent on the pass, nimble for his size and equipped with great reflexes, he is a traditional stopper who thrives under pressure.
Right behind: Rasmus Kristensen, 24, FC Salzburg
Struggling with promotion from FC Midtjylland when he joined Ajax in 2019, Denmark international fruit after 18 months and has bloomed in Shirt. Due to his mid-backward-leaning play, Kristensen can be difficult to gauge at first, but once he has integrated into the tempo of the game, he catches the eye with his powerful forward runs, a good touch and ability. mobility in tight spaces. He can also get himself into position to make a cross.
Central defender: Goncalo Inacio, 20, Sports CP
Quick, vivacious, energetic and adventurous, the 20-year-old only made his debut for the Portuguese championship team last December but seems completely unmoved by the sudden rise in stamina. grant.
Usually placed on the right or in the middle of Sporting’s three-man defence, the left-footed centre-back is often the most active on the team, often intercepting the ball high before continuing to move. Inacio is also progressive in his passing game – he can hit the ball early in the back to identify teammates – and is especially wary of a defender at his young age.
Central defender: Lisandro Martinez, 23 years old, Ajax
With 5-foot-10 Jurrien Wood with him, 5-foot-9 Argentina The international completed one of the shortest defensive partnerships in the Champions League group stage. Even so, Martinez doesn’t shy away from the aerial challenges that come his way and has taken the lead from 70% of them this year as Ajax have impressed.
Martinez is an extremely difficult opponent to face. His alertness and high mobility allowed him to win the ball early and he mastered the somewhat deadly art of one-on-one defense in and around the box. The left-footed defender is also extremely safe and has good skill (95% pass accuracy) with an average of one key pass per game.
Left back: Morato, 20, Benfica
Strictly speaking, the Brazilian has been featured at left-back in Benfica’s three defenders this season, but he’s also happy to explore space on the left flank. While Morato has only started two Champions League games, Jorge Jesus rates the former Sao Paulo man highly enough to start him against Bayern Munich, and he scored in the 5-2 loss.
There are still aspects to improve on Morato’s game: His pass is still relatively predictable – usually in search of full-back Alex Grimaldo – and he sometimes seems hesitant and slow in the first leg. . However, he has shown himself to be physically strong, with great mobility, nimble at longer distances and with good touch, so clearly a player worth watching.
Defensive Midfielder: Mohamed Camara, 21, FC Salzburg
The Mali International has looked increasingly comfortable as competition has grown. Camara plays with the presence, tactical discipline and confidence of a more seasoned defensive midfielder. When it comes to safety, but not being afraid of risk, he excels at the defensive side of the game. Indeed, he plays on a lot of ground, has an impressive interception rate and free picks up every game, while he often restrains himself from going forward to cover attacking full-backs. Salzburg’s work. Already an undisputed regular player in his first year, he is another product of the club’s impressive setup.
Attacking Midfielder: Christopher Nkunku, 24, RB Leipzig
A bright spot for RB Leipzig in the early part of the season, which was quite disappointing, was the rise of Nkunku. It is his impact in the Champions League that he is said to have drawn interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool. French versatile player – who is never more than one player on the team Paris Saint-Germain before he left for Leipzig in 2019 – made his mark early in the competition with a hat trick in the net City of Manchester (including two headed goals), then scored against his former club, and twice over. Club Brugge also.
Nkunku was at his best when he was able to move between defenses in the last third of the game and was exceptionally good at finding the right space and picking the right moments to run into the box. Nkunku is a technically outstanding footballer who could find himself at a bigger club in 2022.
Attacking Midfielder: Pedro Goncalves, 23, Sports
“Pote” was a craze in the Portuguese league last season with 23 goals in 32 games, but he has also made his mark in the Champions League this season. Roaming attacking midfielder who had a real breakthrough in Sporting’s first team until Bruno Fernandes leave Manchester United in January 2020, mainly operating in the space behind the striker, and his knack for timing into the box is not uncommon (his second goal against Dortmund was one of those). the best goals of the tournament so far). Always active and looking for space to exploit, Pote also has an excellent working speed.
Left wing: Arnaut Danjuma, 24, Villarreal
Within months, the Dutchman cleared all doubts about whether the move from the English Championship to the Champions League was a leap too far. The €23.5m signing from Bournemouth has been one of the Europa League champions’ top players this campaign, with his first-half performance against Manchester United in September standing out. .
Whether crossing in with his right foot smoothly for a delicate finish or finding space for a cross from outside the defender, Danjuma’s quick turns, changes of direction, instinctive movement and finish all make it difficult for him. disobedience.
Right winger: Antony, 21 years old, Ajax
The progress the Brazilian has shown over the past few months has been nothing short of phenomenal. Antony used his lightning speed and one-on-one skills to devastating effect in the Champions League, sending opposing full-backs chasing his sprints and turns.
As well as dangerous from long range and mid range, thanks to his good left foot, the newcomer is covered Brazil International is also a great supplier. His three assists for Sebastian Haller (five in total) – including a left-footed strike – are among the best in the league. Arguably one of the most exciting individual players in European football at the moment, his defensive contribution is also growing rapidly.
Central striker: Darwin Nunez, 22 years old, Benfica
Nunez can finally take over Uruguaygoal scoring of the word cape Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani? Based on his development over the past 12 months, the answer could be yes.
Signed from Spanish side Almeria for 24 million euros in January, he has continued to improve this season and has been noticed by several bigger clubs. With his superb speed over long distances and balance, Nunez likes to play with a high defense and thrives when the game opens up to frequent transitions – like when he helps rip Barcelona into pieces.
His 6-foot-2 frame, stellar header technique, and growing spatial awareness mean he’s always an air menace. January may come too soon for a move, but does not rule out Nunez becoming a summer target for a host of European giants.
