The best starting XI made up of players that are set to crash out of the Champions League.
With the Champions League now reaching the end of its first stage, there haven’t been many shocks in who will go through and who will end up in the Europa League or going home. Some of the players in this team aren’t yet out of the tournament, but the unpredictability of the final round means their inclusion is justified (but only just!).
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GK: Jasper Cillessen – Ajax
The Dutch international and his teammates didn’t stand much chance at getting out of a group that contained both Barcelona and PSG, but a good final day result will see them move into the Europa League.
RB: Maxi Pereira – Benfica
The Portuguese giants were one of Europe’s in form sides last season, but have seen themselves capitulate this term as they prop up the rest of Group C.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – Athletic Bilbao
The Man United target may be highly-rated, but he could do little to help the Basque side from missing out on the next round.
CB: Benedikt Howedes – Schalke
Schalke could still make it through to the next round, but their thrashing at the hands of Chelsea last week has put their goal differential on the back foot.
LB: Anthony Vanden-Borre – Anderlecht
Anderlecht fell short despite some rocky form from both Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, but they’ll at least be able to console themselves with a place in the Europa League.
LW: Ibrahim Afellay – Olympiakos
The on loan Barca star has been working towards getting his career back on track after a personal injury hell, but he won’t be showcasing his abilities on Europe’s top stage any longer.
CM: Nico Gaitan – Benfica
Could Benfica’s failure in Europe seal the Argentine playmaker’s exit out of Lisbon?
CM: Wesley Sneijder – Galatasaray
An incredibly poor showing from the Turkish giants has seen them crash out of Europe completely with one game to spare.
LW: Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
Not out yet, but Liverpool’s current run of form suggests that a win over Basel is out of the question.
ST: Klass-Jan Huntelaar – Schalke
Huntelaar joins his colleague Benedikt Howedes in this European reject team, despite being one of the most consistent striker’s throughout Europe for the majority of his career.
ST: Burak Yilmaz – Galatasaray
The Turk’s form has seemingly deserted him this season.