Champions League Team of the Group Stage

By Harry Freemantle

The UEFA Champions League group stages have come to an end. Let’s take a look at the 11 standout performers from the competition.

Goalkeeper: Nick Pope – Newcastle United

Nick Pope against Paris-Saint Germain at the Parc des Princes (Image: Getty Images)

Despite just keeping one clean sheet throughout the group stages, Nick Pope was one of the stars as Newcastle took it to the last day in the toughest group in the tournament. Nick Pope had 4.9 goals prevented rate which is the highest of any goalkeeper in the Champions League this season. Pope also had the second highest save percentage out of any goalkeeper with an 83.3%.

Right-back: Achraf Hakimi – Paris-Saint Germain

Hakimi against his former club Borussia Dortmund (Image: Getty Images)

Hakimi was defensively strong throughout the group stages, with 33 ball recoveries. However, his attacking output has been where he shined the most. Hakimi scored and picked up two assists throughout the group stages from a full-back position. He also created the most joint chances throughout the tournament with 15, sharing that title with Jude Bellingham and Johan Bakayoko.

Centre-back: Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund

Mats Hummels against AC Milan at the San Siro (Image: Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund shocked the world as they stormed to the top of their group, which contained some of the best teams in the world, including Paris-Saint Germain and AC Milan. This happened as Dortmund was rock solid at the back, keeping four clean sheets, which allowed them to qualify for round 16 with a game spare.

Centre-back: Igor Zubeldia – Real Sociedad

Zubeldia against Inter Milan as Real Sociedad keep their fourth clean sheet of the group stage (Image: Getty Images)

Igor Zubeldia was part of a defense that conceded just two goals throughout the group stages, the least amount of any team. The Real Sociedad defender managed to make 20 clearances and have a 91.34% pass completion rate, showing his capabilities on the ball as Real Sociedad finished at the top of Group D.

Left-back: David Raum – RB Leipzig

David Raum for RB Leipzig (Image: Getty Images)

David Raum was the star for RB Leipzig as the 25-year-old picked up a goal and two assists as well as creating five big chances. The joint most in the competition, as RB Leipzig qualified for the knockout rounds.

Right winger: Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

Bukayo Saka celebrating his goal against RC Lens (Image: Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka had the joint most goal contributions in the competition, with seven, as he scored three goals and grabbed four assists as Arsenal dominated Group B. Saka also created 12 chances in five games, completing six successful dribbles and winning 12 fouls for his club.

Central midfielder: Rasmus Falk – FC Copenhagen

Falk featuring for Copenhagen in the UCL (Image: Getty Images)

Rasmus Falk was the star as FC Copenhagen shocked everyone as they finished 2nd in Group A to qualify for the round of 16 for the first time since the 2010/11 season. Rasmus Falk stepped up against both Manchester United and Galatasaray with man-of-the-match level performances.

Central midfielder: Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

Bellingham celebrating with Real Madrid fans (Image: Getty Images)

Jude Bellingham starred as Real Madrid secured maximum points in Group C of the Champions League. Bellingham scored four goals and provided three assists, which added up to be the joint most goal contributions in the competition. Bellingham also created the joint most chances with 15 and the joint most big chances with five. Jude Bellingham, without a doubt, is the Champions League player of the tournament so far.

Left Winger: Galeno – FC Porto

Galeno against Shakhtar Donetsk as Porto secure round of 16 football (Image: Getty Images)

Galeno was the most productive player in Group H, scoring four goals and getting three assists, the joint most goal contributions in the tournament as FC Porto qualified for the Champions League knockout stages.

Striker: Rasmus Hojlund – Manchester United

Rasmus Hojlund scoring against Galatasaray (Image: Getty Images)

Although Manchester United were abysmal defensively throughout the Champions League, going forward was not an issue. Rasmus Hojlund managed to score five goals throughout the group stages, which was the joint most goals in the competition. Despite an early exit, Hojlund can hold his head up high.

Striker: Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Harry Kane celebrating against Galatasaray as Bayern take the lead (Image: Getty Images)

Harry Kane’s first Champions League campaign for Bayern Munich has gone swimmingly. Kane has scored four goals and three assists in the competition so far, with the joint most goal contributions. His fantastic finishing and passing abilities allowed Bayern to breeze through Group A.

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