90min

Champions League: Picking a combined XI from the semi-finalists

By Robbie Copeland

Neymar and Mbappe have their eyes on the prize
Neymar and Mbappe have their eyes on the prize / John Berry/Getty Images
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The Champions League semi-finals are nearly upon us.

Despite the best efforts of some of Europe's elite clubs to strip the competition of any meaning, the historic tournament is reaching a very spicy conclusion indeed. Chelsea, Manchester City, PSG and Real Madrid all have one eye on the final in Istanbul, and all the glory that comes with it.

Real host Chelsea on Tuesday, while City travel to Paris on Wednesday looking to make the final for the first time in their history.

And to mark the semi-final stage of the tournament, 90min have thrown together the best XI of all the players available.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Ruben Dias has turned Man City's defence around
Ruben Dias has turned Man City's defence around / Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Keylor Navas (GK) - The 34-year-old has been a revelation since signing from Real Madrid in 2019. He was inspirational against Bayern in the last eight and it's no coincidence that they are in the semis for the second year running with him in the team.

Joao Cancelo (RB) - Right-back, left-back, centre-mid, whatever. The Portuguese has cemented a spot for himself in the City team this season and will likely be one of the first names on the team-sheet in Madrid.

Ruben Dias (CB) - Man City have conceded just three goals in this season's Champions League while Dias has been on the pitch. That speaks for itself.

Raphael Varane (CB) - Not having Sergio Ramos isn't as much of a problem when you have the immovable, unshakeable Raphael Varane to see you through.

Ben Chilwell (LB) - Fired the Blues into a controlling lead against Porto in the quarters and looks in the form of his life heading into their clash with Real.

2. Midfielders

Chelsea's N'Golo Kante on the turn against FC Porto in the quarter-finals
N'Golo Kante on the turn against FC Porto in the quarter-finals / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

N'Golo Kante (CM) - Thomas Tuchel's arrival at Chelsea has really brought the best out of Kante. He's missed just two games since the German's arrival and is a central part of the engine room that has got them this far.

Luka Modric (CM) - They say there are only three absolute certainties in life: death, taxes, and Luka Modric consistently delivering in the Champions League.

Kevin De Bruyne (CM) - Missed out against Aston Villa in the Premier League but managed 87 minutes in the EFL Cup Final...much to the inevitable dismay of PSG.

3. Forwards

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema takes on Liverpool's Sadio Mane
Karim Benzema takes on Liverpool's Sadio Mane / Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe (FW) - Heading into PSG's final group game against Basaksehir, Mbappe was yet to score in this season's Champions League. In the five games since, he's netted eight. Just the 37 goals and counting this season for the 22-year-old.

Karim Benzema (FW) - Captained Real through both legs against Liverpool and continues to be a key part of Zinedine Zidane's side. He sets the standards for their impressive array of fledgling attackers.

Neymar (FW) - It's been a stop-start season for the Brazilian due to injuries and suspension, but he inspired PSG to victory in Munich. Despite appearing just 24 times, he has 23 goal-involvements to his name this season.

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