Top European clubs have the best players in the world in their ranks, and Bayern Munich and Barcelona are no different. The two giants of European football boast some of the top talents around the globe, including the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi.
Before their Champions League quarter-final clash on Friday night, let us take a look at the best combined Barcelona vs Bayern Munich XI. The team is based on a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world at present. The German international has been one of the standout players for Barcelona this season and nicks his Bayern Munich counterpart and compatriot, Manuel Neuer for a place in the team.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach, who has bailed out the Catalan giants’ shaky defence several times in the present campaign, has featured in seven Champions League games, managing two clean sheets.
Right-back: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich is one of the most versatile players in the world and is equally adept at playing as a central defensive midfielder or a right-back. The German international has been in sensational form in all competitions this season and has already helped Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double.
The former Stuttgart man has made eight appearances in the Champions League this season, scoring one goal, besides providing stability to his side’s defence.
Centre-back: Clement Lenglet (Barcelona)
Picking Clement Lenglet over Gerard Pique in the team can surprise many, but the Frenchman has proven his worth throughout the season, especially in the Champions League.
The 25-year-old, who has been a good presence at the back for Barcelona, scored his first Champions League goal of the season in the Catalan giants’ vital 3-1 win over Napoli in the Round of 16 second leg last week.
Centre-back: David Alaba (Bayern Munich)
David Alaba has been a rock for the Bavarian giants at the heart of their defence in a season where they have struggled in the centre-back position due to injuries.
The Austrian international, who is primarily a left-back, hasn’t looked out of place in his new position. Alaba has made five Champions League appearances this season, helping Bayern Munich keep two clean sheets.
Left-back: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
With David Alaba deployed as a centre-back, Alphonso Davies has made the left-back position his own at Bayern Munich. The Canadian teenager, who is a winger by trade, has been in scintillating form for the Bundesliga champions. The speedy youngster has transformed into one of the best young left-backs in world football at the moment.
Besides providing three assists, he has also helped the German giants keep three clean sheets in the five Champions League matches he has played this season.
Defensive midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
Frenkie de Jong has turned out to be a brilliant signing for Barcelona. The Dutchman, who is known for dictating the tempo of a game, has been one of the few shining lights in an overall disappointing season for the Catalan giants.
Besides shielding the back-four, De Jong has been a great distributor of the ball in the middle of the field, with the former Ajax star managing more than 90% passing accuracy throughout the 2019-20 Champions League campaign.
Defensive midfielder: Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
Leon Goretzka often goes under the radar at Bayern Munich due to the presence of big names such as Robert Lewandowski, Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller at the Allianz Arena.
The German international has been putting in consistent performances for the Bavarian giants this season and played a role behind their Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal triumphs.
On the European front, in addition to marshalling the middle of the park, Goretzka has scored once in five Champions League appearances.
Right-winger: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
It was business as usual for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner as he took an average Barcelona team to knockout stages of the Champions League before putting in a sublime performance in the 3-1 win over Napoli in the Round of 16 second leg.
Lionel Messi, who won the La Liga Golden Boot, has made seven appearances in the Champions League so far this season, scoring three goals and setting up as many. His form will be the key if Barcelona are to beat Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals on Friday night.
Attacking midfielder: Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Muller has surprised everyone with his change in form this season. The German World Cup winner was on verge of leaving Bayern Munich, but the sacking of Niko Kovac followed by the appointment of Hansi Flick rejuvenated his career.
Muller, who scored eight goals and provided 21 assists in the Bundesliga, has scored and assisted twice each in seven Champions League matches in the present campaign.
Left-winger: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
Serge Gnabry has changed his fortunes in the last few years since leaving Arsenal. The German international recorded his best season in the Bundesliga, scoring 12 times and setting up 11 more, and carried his form into the Champions league too.
He has scored six goals and provided one assist in his seven appearances in the continental competition so far this campaign.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski is arguably the best striker in the world at present, with the Polish hitman breaking multiple goalscoring records this season. The former Dortmund star has scored 53 goals in the season so far and will be the biggest headache for Barcelona on Friday night.
Lewansdowski, who won the Bundesliga Golden Boot, is also the top goalscorer in the Champions League this season with 13 strikes to his name.
Here’s how the Barcelona vs Bayern Munich combined XI would line up:
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