Champions League: Jamie Redknapp picks his best XI
Friday 5 June 2015 15:01, UK
Ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final between Juventus and Barcelona, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has picked his best XI from the competition this season.
Read on to see who made his team – and who he’d put in charge to manage them…
Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus
People talk about Juventus’ good defence but to have a good defence you need to have a good goalkeeper. A couple of years ago I thought maybe he was over the hill but he’s come back and is in the form of his life right now. He’s been instrumental in getting them to the final. No ‘keeper has kept more clean sheets in the competition this season than him (six), and he also has the best save percentage of the top shot-stoppers (81.58 per cent).
Right-back – Dani Alves, Barcelona
People like Alves change how positions are perceived. He was an outside right/right-winger many years ago and he’s turned himself into probably the most attacking right-back the world has ever seen. He’s fantastic at getting forward, has an eye for goal and a tremendous understanding with Lionel Messi down the right.
He might not be the absolute best defensively – we might find out more about that aspect of his game when he leaves Barca – but he’s perfect for the way Barcelona play. Only Messi has made more assists than him in the Champions League this season, which perfectly shows his attacking contributions.
Centre-back – Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus
Chiellini may not be the easiest on the eye but he’s a warrior and, in terms of his will to win and desire, you can’t fault him. He gets in the team on his bravery and he’s the sort of guy you want in your side. There have been outstanding performances this season from the likes of John Terry, Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano, but I find it difficult to pick two better centre-backs than Chiellini and Diego Godin – who have each recorded six clean sheets this season.
Centre-back – Diego Godin, Atletico Madrid
Like Chiellini, Godin is also left-footed, so it’s probably not the ideal balance but I’m a big fan of him – for the same reasons I like the Juve man – and I’d want him in my side. Godin is a brilliant defender who lives for defending. He looks like a nasty piece of work, as well – which you need – but he’s also quick, covers the ground well and can nick the odd goal. They are two fantastic defenders that anyone would want in their team.
Left-back – Jordi Alba, Barcelona
I’ve gone with Alba ahead of Patrice Evra at left-back. I like this kid; he’s got fantastic pace and gets forward at speed – but he gets back just as quickly. That makes him a dream for his manager because he’s got the right balance between defending and attacking. He’s been a really good signing for Barcelona from Valencia and seems to be getting better and better every year. Watching the way he and Alves operate for Barcelona is brilliant.
Defensive midfielder – Sergio Busquets, Barcelona
I’ve gone with Busquets as my holding midfielder just ahead of Andrea Pirlo and the reason is that the Spaniard has done such a tremendous job in a Barcelona team where the balance is far more on attack than at Juventus. Busquets has to put out fires all across that pitch and marshal that midfield, with Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta looking to go forward. I’m a huge Pirlo fan, so this isn’t an easy one for me, while Toni Kroos is another one who stands out in that position.
Central midfielder – Andres Iniesta , Barcelona
Andres Iniesta is a master of a football; he’s fantastic technically. He sees a pass, has loads of skill and can dribble with the ball as well. One of my favourite moments in the Champions League this season was when he picked up the ball against PSG, slalomed through the midfield and then set up Neymar to score. It was an incredible piece of play. There are a lot of young pretenders but this guy is still the man to beat.
Central midfielder – Arturo Vidal, Juventus
Vidal has created more big chances (with the exception of Messi) and made more tackles than any other player in the competition – what more could you want? He’s been key to Juventus getting to the final. His team-mate Paul Pogba is unlucky to miss out, but with him, Vidal, Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio, Juve have a great midfield with fantastic energy. Barcelona are going to have their hands full. Rakitic has had a brilliant season as well but I’m happy with Busquets, Iniesta and Vidal!
Forward – Lionel Messi, Barcelona
I was scared a couple of years ago that maybe we’d seen the best of Messi but he’s as good as ever now. The guy is from another planet. If Barcelona win this final, his fingerprints will be all over it. It will always be hard to say whether he’s the best player ever, due to changes in rules and conditions but he’s the greatest player I’ve ever seen. He’s created 16 big chances for his team-mates this season (10 more than anyone else!), is joint-top scorer with Cristiano Ronaldo (10) and joint-top assist maker (five).
Forward – Luis Suarez, Barcelona
Luis Suarez gives Barcelona another dimension and stretches the play. It took him a little while to get started after his ban but he’s an absolute genius when it comes to playing football. I never thought you’d see a better front three than when Barcelona had Samuel Eto’o, my Sky Sports team-mate Thierry Henry and Messi up front, scoring 102 goals in a season. But this current three have 120 and are even better. Neymar is great, but if you’re looking at front men – Karim Benzema, Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Morata – Suarez is the one I’d want in my team.
Forward – Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
It’s tough to leave out Neymar, but you can’t ignore Ronaldo. He’s not dropped off this season – he’s still joint-top scorer with 10 – but Real just weren’t at their best as a team this year. Real were on form last season and they won the Champions League, this year the team hasn’t played as well and they’ve missed out. But Ronaldo has still delivered some magic moments.
Manager – Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus
If I’m managing this team I don’t think I’ve got the most difficult job in the world, I’d just let them go out and play. With Ronaldo up front alongside Suarez and Messi I think I’ve got half a chance of winning the Champions League – although my chairman wouldn’t be too happy with the wage bill!
However, my manager of the season has to be Massimiliano Allegri. He’s had a far more difficult job than Barca boss Luis Enrique – managing Messi, Suarez and Neymar can’t be that much work. But Allegri has done a great job with Juve and if he wins the treble it will be a huge achievement from someone who has lesser tools to work with than some of his rivals.
Watch Juventus v Barcelona live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports 5 HD from 6pm on Saturday
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