Champions League: Picking a Combined XI From Teams in Group B
By George Cannon
It's only been eight weeks since Bayern Munich lifted the Champions League trophy under unusual circumstances in an empty stadium, but Europe's elite competition is back with as much excitement and anticipation as ever.
The current holders start the Champions League as favourites to retain their crown, but they'll be faced with stiff competition from several sides confident they can dethrone the German giants. Two of those teams are situated in a highly competitive Group B.
To build the hype surrounding a group containing Inter, Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Monchengladbach, and record titleholders Real Madrid, 90min have examined the four squads and come up with a combined XI.
1. Thibaut Courtois - GK
The former Chelsea shot-stopper has overcome a difficult start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu to cement his place as one of the world's best goalkeepers over the last 12 months.
The Belgian kept an impressive 18 clean sheets in 34 La Liga games last season as Los Blancos won their first league title in three years, and his fifth as a player across Belgium, Spain and England.
The 28-year-old has started the new season in fine form as well, keeping three clean sheets in five top-flight matches, and he'll be hoping to take that form into the Champions League in midweek.
2. Achraf Hakimi - RB
Achraf Hakimi joined Inter in a surprise £36m deal this summer from Group B rivals Real Madrid after impressing during a two-year loan spell at Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.
Many were shocked when Zinedine Zidane allowed the Morroco international to depart the Spanish capital, but Madrid's loss is certainly Inter's gain.
The right-back is rapid, extremely dangerous when going forward and pretty handy when asked to defend too.
3. Raphael Varane - CB
At 27, Raphael Varane has won one Spanish Cup, three Spanish Super Cup's, three UEFA Super Cups, four FIFA Club World Cup', three La Liga crowns, four Champions Leagues as well as the World Cup. Not bad, eh?
The Frenchman has formed a formidable partnership with Sergio Ramos at the heart of the Madrid defence in recent years, and leaving him out just wasn't an option.
4. Sergio Ramos - CB
Even at 34, the veteran defender is still one of the best centre-backs in world football.
Despite playing his whole career in defence, Ramos is only two goals away from reaching a century for his club - which is, well, astonishing really.
5. Ferland Mendy - LB
Displacing Marcelo as Madrid's first-choice left-back was never going to be an easy task, but former Lyon defender Ferland Mendy has done just that.
The 25-year-old France international arrived at the Bernabeu last summer in a £43m move, and he's more than paid that fee back with his exceptional performances week in, week out.
6. Denis Zakaria - CM
The Switzerland international has caught the attention of Europe's top clubs since making the move to Borussia Monchengladbach from Young Boys back in 2017.
Comfortable as either a defensive midfielder or in a more box-to-box role, Zakaria offers a perfect blend of technical ability and athleticism. He's currently sidelined as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury picked up at the end of last season, but when he returns keep an eye out for the 23-year-old's energetic displays.
7. Casemiro - CM
Real Madrid's Casemiro has long been thought of as one of the world's best defensive midfielders. The Brazil international was a key member of Los Blancos' four Champions League triumphs in the 2010s, forming the base of midfield that also contained Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
The 28-year-old has played almost 250 games for the current La Liga champions and still has plenty more years left at the elite level.
8. Nicolo Barella - CM
We've opted for an unfashionable 4-3-1-2 formation due to the lack of quality wingers and abundance of world-class midfielders on offer in Group B.
That means Inter's Nicolo Barella slots in alongside Casemiro and Zakaria to form a well-balanced engine room. The Italy international has impressed since joining Antonio Conte's side on loan from Cagliari last summer and made his move to San Siro permanent in the most recent transfer window.
Barella bagged four goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances in all competitions last season, but his full-throttle displays provide far more than just goal contributions to the Nerazzurri.
9. Toni Kroos - CAM
Real Madrid are the team to beat in Group B and German World Cup winner Toni Kroos is the sixth and final player from the Spanish capital to feature in our combined XI.
Kroos has won a plethora of trophies throughout his career at Bayern Munich and Madrid and still has a few years left at the highest level.
10. Romelu Lukaku - ST
Lukaku became an instant fan favourite among Inter supporters last season as the former Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United striker bagged an incredible 34 goals in 51 games.
The Belgium international fired Conte's side to within a point of the Serie A title and to the Europa League final, before they came unstuck against an impressive Sevilla side.
Although he's not everyone cup of tea, you simply can't argue with Lukaku's goalscoring record, and he's starting the new campaign how he finished the last with four goals in his first four games.
11. Lautaro Martinez - ST
Slotting in alongside Lukaku in our fantasy XI is his strike partner in real life, Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine hitman joined Inter in 2018 from Racing Club for £22.5m, but it wasn't until last season when the 23-year-old showed his true potential.
The arrival of Conte and Lukaku got the best out of the diminutive forward as he netted 21 goals in all competitions throughout 2019/20. Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for Martinez for over a year now as they search for Luis Suarez's long-term replacement, but they'll need to act fast as the youngster will have his pick of the clubs if/when he decides to call time on his spell at San Siro.