Following the conclusion of the final two Champions League quarter finals, on Wednesday, BT Sport ran a poll to gauge who the competition favourites were.
Real Madrid, who had squeaked past Juventus in controversial fashion, got 41% while Liverpool ended with 37%. Roma only accounted for 4% of the vote but the biggest surprise was Bayern Munich amassing merely 13%.
Steven Gerrard said Real, the reigning champions, were the team to beat. Rio Ferdinand said Liverpool were “dangerous” while Gary Lineker asked why so few were backing a Bayern team with Jupp Heynckes back in charge and on course for a treble.
There was little talk about Roma despite their 3-0 win over Barcelona that knocked the Spaniards out on goal difference. Looking at all four squads, however, and you could see what the BT panel and viewers were on about.
If you were to draw up a Best XI made up of a selection across the four remaining Champions League contenders, Roma would do well to get two inclusions. Alisson, their Brazilian goalkeeper, is their best shout but that is only due Manuel Neuer being out injured and Keylor Navas being in a poor run of form. Liverpool would only fare slightly better:
We assessed the squads of the four remaining clubs and, after much consideration and debate, came up with this crack outfit:
LAST FOUR – BEST XI
Alisson (Roma)
Having started off life at Roma as an understudy to Wojciech Szczesny, the 25-year-old has not looked back since his rival left for Juventus (and his own understudy rule to Gigi Buffon). An imposing figure who is a good distributor and who has saved his team’s skin on several occasions, Alisson has found himself linked with a switch to Liverpool.
Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
A gem of a buy from Hull. The young Scottish defender has really impressed in the past 18 months and is brave enough to call the ball on himself and make productive forays up the pitch. Real’s Marcelo is a proven talent – in attack and defence – at left back but Robertson’s form this season is the clincher.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
One of the best central defenders in Europe. Composed, a good passer of the ball and makes more than his fair share of interceptions and clearances. Escapes blame despite Real conceding three to Juventus in the quarter final second leg.
Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich)
A class act and Bayern’s defensive leader. When Hummels is at his best, most of the world’s best come up empty-handed. Beats the often-brilliant, often-erratic Sergio Ramos to selection.
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Tipped to be the next Philip Lahm, Kimmich is just 23 and already has 27 caps for Germany. Described as ‘a veritable Swiss Army knife of a player’, Kimmich can play midfield and was often played centre back by Pep Guardiola but is thriving at right back.
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Rarely rattled, rarely dominated, rarely misplaces a pass. Ice in his veins and the man that keeps Real ticking over. Performance levels never seem to drop. A lovely passer of the ball.
Thiago Alacantra (Bayern Munich)
Pips assist king James Milner [8 in the competition so far] in our big midfield call. Thiago shades it as he is capable of getting through a mountain of work, chips in with important goals and is the beating hard of Bayern when he is at his best.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
A magician of a player. Always finding space and threading balls through almost impossible gaps. Possesses deceptive pace and keeps Real ticking. Always looking for the forward pass and s many of them are killers.
Mo Salah (Liverpool)
Having the season of his life. Was given a fresh start by Roma after falling foul of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. Returned from Serie A, to Anfield, last summer but few could have predicted the incredible impact the Egyptian would have. Goal machine and can score the spectacular and the sloppy.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
The Polish international leads our line and has kicked on another level from the menace Bayern captured from Dortmund. Regularly nets between 35 and 40 goals a season and, when in form, can be next to unstoppable for defences.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Last but never, ever (ever!) least is Ronaldo. Has now evolved into a target-man and an out-and-out goalscorer. Showed all of his deadly range over two legs against Juventus and will be a handful for another of three remaining sides that draw Real.
There you have it. Bayern and Real with four apiece, Liverpool with two quality inclusions and Alisson keeping things tidy at the back.
