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This article was first published 11 years ago

Meet the Champions League Dream XI

Last updated on: June 6, 2013 09:45 IST

Image: Bayern Munich players celebrate winning the Champions League final
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

Image: Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez
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

Image: Raphael Varan, left, Philipp Lahm, centre, and David Alaba
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

Image: From left: Javi Martinez, Andres Iniesta, Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan
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

Image: Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski
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

Image: UEFA President Michel Platini, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the German Football Association Wolfgang Niersbach offer their commiserations to Borussia Dortmund Head Coach Jurgen Klopp
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!