Oblak, Escudero and Messi make official 'Team of the Group Stages', but no place for Real Madrid
The Atletico stopper, Sevilla left-back and Barcelona forward were all included in UEFA's official Team of the Champions League Group Stages, but not one Real Madrid player made the grade. Juventus-Barcelona live online: ICC 2017
UEFA has revealed its official team of the Champions League group stages, which is assembled using the players with highest number of points in the competition’s online Fantasy Football format.
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, Sevilla defender Sergio Escudero and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi all make the team, but there is no room for any Real Madrid players. Los Blancos were also snubbed in L’Equipe’s ideal XI of the group stages last week.
Polish stopper Oblak conceded just two goals in six games as Atletico finished top of their group ahead of Bayern Munich, while Spaniard Escudero was also rewarded with a place in the side thanks to the key role he played as Sevilla's attack-minded left-back in qualification from Group G.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, was the competition’s maximum goalscorer in the group stages with 10 strikes in five matches, significantly cutting down Cristiano Ronaldo’s lead in the race to 100 Champions League goals in the process.