WhoScored’s Champions League Team of the League Phase: Lamine Yamal, Gabriel Magalhaes, Raphinha, Vini Jr

 

With the brand new UEFA Champions League league phase now complete after a thrilling final night, we’re looking back at the standout performers from the last five months in our Team of the League Phase. 

 

To be considered for selection, players must have made at least six appearances. 

 

 

Represented in our XI are Real Madrid, PSG, PSV, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona and Atalanta. 

 

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) - 7.39 

 

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois kicks off our XI following six impressive performances in the league phase, with the best rated coming against Brest on Wednesday night. The Belgian has so far produced a total of 30 saves, with five of those coming in Brittany on the final matchday. 

 

Achraf Hakimi (PSG) - 7.44 

 

PSG’s Achraf Hakimi earns a place at right-back having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.44 over the course of the league phase. The Morocco international scored in the draw with PSV back in October, while he also provided assists in wins against Salzburg and Stuttgart more recently. 

 

Ryan Flamingo (PSV) - 7.26 

 

PSV defender Ryan Flamingo was the highest rated centre-back in the Champions League league phase, and scored in the wins over Girona and Crvena Zvezda before unfortunately seeing red in Serbia last week. Across the seven matches he played, the 22-year-old managed 12 tackles, 13 interceptions and 21 clearances. 

 

Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal) - 7.10 

 

Arsenal centre-back Gabriel partners Flamingo having helped the Gunners to a place in the last 16 with the competition’s second-strongest defence. The Brazilian and his team-mates allowed just three goals in eight matches, while, individually, he returned the best aerial duel win rate (76.9%) of any player to contest more than 20 such challenges. 

 

 

Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.68 

 

Two goals and an assist from left wing-back sees Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Grimaldo earn a place in our best XI, following impressive displays against Salzburg and Feyenoord in the league phase. 

 

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) - 7.80 

 

Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal takes up the right-wing berth having scored two goals and provided two assists in Europe this season. The 17-year-old’s best rated performance came in the 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich back in October (8.50).  

 

Malik Tillman (PSV) - 8.03 

 

Perhaps a surprise name featuring in our Team of the League Phase is PSV’s Malik Tillman, but the USMNT attacker’s place is well deserved, with three goals and two assists in Europe this season. The former Bayern Munich man has starred in wins over Girona and Shakhtar Donetsk, helping the Dutch side on their way to a place in the knockout round play-offs.  

 

Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.83 

 

Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has stepped up from the Europa League with ease this term, firing home six goals in eight Champions League outings while also registering one assist, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.83.

 

WhoScored’s Champions League Team of the League Phase: Lamine Yamal, Gabriel Magalhaes, Raphinha, Vini Jr

 

Raphinha (Barcelona) - 8.31 

 

With a WhoScored rating of 8.31, Barcelona star Raphinha was the highest rated player in the UEFA Champions League league phase. The 28-year-old is enjoying the finest campaign of his career to date, and leads the competition for goal involvements with 12. The Brazilian contributed to goals in all but two of eight games, with the highlight being his hat-trick in the thrashing of Bayern Munich back in October. 

 

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta) - 7.74 

 

Atalanta star Ademola Lookman has followed up his Europa League final hat-trick with some impressive form in the continent’s premier competition this season. The Nigeria international managed four goals and one assist in the six games he featured in. 

 

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - 8.11 

 

Second in rating only to a fellow Brazilian is Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who has notched seven goals in just six Champions League matches this season. The 24-year-old netted a sensational hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund in October, before going on to score in the following three UCL matches, against Milan, Atalanta and Salzburg.

WhoScored’s Champions League Team of the League Phase: Lamine Yamal, Gabriel Magalhaes, Raphinha, Vini Jr