Photographs: Michael Dalder/Reuters Siddhanta Pinto
Fancied teams from England, Italy and Spain didn't make it to this year's Champions League final, which was contested by two German sides.
But who would make up an All Stars Champions League team? Check out Siddhanta Pinto's Dream XI.
Bayern Munich scored a dramatic 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund to clinch its first European Cup since 2001 after losing both the 2010 and 2012 finals.
The all-conquering Bavarians celebrate a spectacular season -- Bayern are the first German team to win the treble, having also won the Bundesliga and German Cup.
Who would make up an All Stars Champions League team?
Check out Siddhanta Pinto's dream XI.
...
Goalkeeper
Photographs: Sergio Perez/Reuters
Diego Lopez, Real Madrid
Not an easy task when deciding between Lopez and Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund) and Manuel Neur (Bayern Munich).
But when you have half a team and half a city against you for taking Iker Casillas's place, and you put your head down and perform so brilliantly, you get my vote.
On the bench
Roman Weidenfeller
...
Defence
Photographs: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Philipp Lahm
An easy choice for right back, not only for his 77 percent passing all season, but for his 100 percent presence as leader and team man.
Is the Bayern Munich star the best full-back in the world?
Raphael Varane
A breakthrough season and another bold decision by Jose Mourinho. A solid defender for Real Madrid with a blistering turn of foot and an ice cold temperament.
Matt Hummels
A towering presence and go-to man for Borussia Dortmund.
David Alaba
For want of a better left back among the teams that made the quarters, the Bayern Munich and Austrian star did the job.
...
Holding Midfielders
Photographs: Manuel Queimadelos Alonso, David Ramos, Alex Livesey and Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Ilkay Gundogan
A fantastic revelation this season, the Borussia Dortmund star's hard work will leave you breathless by just watching.
Javi Martinez
A Bayern fan termed him the one reason that Bayern went from a treble of runners-up to a treble of wins. Enough said.
Marco Reus
Raw, crazy-fast, and a pin-point passer, the Borussia Dortmund player makes the cut.
Andres Iniesta
He'd be on any team, and although his side was thrashed 7-0, the Barcelona midfielder continued to pass and run till the final whistle.
Thomas Muller
His baffling performances for Bayern Munich inspire me to make it to my midfield too.
...
Striker
Photographs: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Robert Lewandowski
Two goals less than Ronaldo's highest tally of 12 for the season.
But when you score four of them in one game for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid, you make my team easy!
...
Manager of the season
Photographs: Martin Rose/Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp
Like my selection of goalkeeper, this too might raise eyebrows.
The Borussia Dortmund manager didn't win the Champions League title, but football is a romantic sport, and when you achieve so much with so little, and when you have a charming personality to boot, I pick you!
On the bench
Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mezut Ozil (Real Madrid), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Dante Bonfim Costa Santos (Bayern Munich), Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund).
Do you agree with Siddhanth Pinto's choices? We'd love to hear from you.
Please post your Dream XI and the reasons for your choices in the Message Board below. Thanks!
Comment
article