The Most Important Player for Every Champions League Side
The 2014-15 UEFA Champions League campaign kicks off in earnest on Tuesday, September 16, when the group-phase matches are played out in cities such as Turin, Madrid, Liverpool and Dortmund.
With that in mind, we're taking a look at each of the 32 group-stage teams in turn and identifying their most important player—not always necessarily the best, but the key performer who can make the team function at and above their potential. In other words, the one who can really help each side achieve their objectives in the competition.
Group opposition, team style of play and realistic aims for the Champions League have all been taken into account to select the player in question for each club.
Group A, Atletico Madrid: Gabi
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We start in Group A with Atletico Madrid, last year's beaten finalists.
Central midfielder Gabi is captain for them and remains absolutely key to their team setup, combining a ferocious and combative work rate with the technique and the presence of mind to contribute going forward, too.
He's an all-round machine who is extremely effective at both ends of the pitch, setting the tone for the way Diego Simeone wants his players to approach each match. Others might be the stars, but Gabi is the man to make Atleti tick.
Juventus: Paul Pogba
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Juventus were hugely disappointing in Europe last season, so they need to not only improve but show far more resilience and ability to shift their nature to being more offensive when required. One win from six games tells its own story from 2013-14.
Paul Pogba will be central to most of Juve's best work this season, with the powerful French midfielder stepping up from massive prospect to actual talent last year, and he looks ready to put forward his claim as one of the game's most reliable performers now.
A real star who can direct the flow of games in his team's favour, Pogba will be crucial for Juve's success.
Malmo FF: Markus Rosenberg
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Malmo's ambitions in the Champions League are likely to be decidedly modest, being the smallest club in Group A with a squad meagre in international or continental experience.
One who has both, though, is captain and forward Markus Rosenberg, formerly of the likes of Werder Bremen and Ajax. He'll be expected to lead the line, hold up the ball to give his side an outlet and probably grab the odd goal in the hope of sealing a surprising result.
He's never really shown a particularly clinical edge before so that will have to change, but he's about Malmo's biggest player.
Olympiacos: Giannis Maniatis
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Olympiacos won't be one of the favourites to get through Group A initially, but they will believe that their home form could count for plenty if they keep tight and difficult to break down on the road.
Midfielder Giannis Maniatis is always impressive and important for them, whether in his protective role of shielding the defence or given more licence to break forward in counter-attacks. He can also play full-back, but he is far more effective as a central player.
Maniatis is aggressive, good on the ball, can use space well and has leadership qualities—everything Olympiacos will need in abundance if they are to cause an upset and progress.
Group B, Basel: Fabian Schar
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Swiss side FC Basel face a really tough task to make it through their group phase and into the knockouts, so the performances of key centre-back Fabian Schar will be of the utmost importance.
In truth, it's a surprise that a club from a bigger league didn't come in for the young defender during the transfer window, but his continued presence is a massive bonus for Basel.
He and the rest of the defence will have to be at their best if the Swiss side are to have a chance of progressing past the group stage.
Liverpool: Raheem Sterling
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Liverpool's team focus is built around a lightning-fast attacking emphasis, going from defensive to offensive modes within two or three passes and looking to get bodies into the final third as quickly as possible.
Key to that side of the game is Raheem Sterling, whose direct running and acceleration make him a weapon for his own team and a real threat for the opposition.
His end product continues to improve, too, and he could take Europe by storm this season—at just 19 years of age still.
Ludogorets Razgrad: Vura
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Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad will likely be an unknown quantity for their opponents at this point, with work to do for each group opponent to ensure they know how to handle the strengths and the weaknesses of them.
One of their most dangerous attackers looks set to be Dutch youngster Vura, or Virgil Misidjan, to credit his full name.
Playing from either side of the front line, Vura has already hit three goals in this season's league campaign and was a regular performer in qualifying for the group stage.
Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo
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Like one or two others, the choice of Cristiano Ronaldo can seem a little easy...but it's perfectly right, too.
Real Madrid's team balance isn't great just yet following a summer of transfer activity in the midfield area, meaning they can be great at times going forward but also woefully exposed and indisciplined at the back.
Ronaldo's unerring, relentless match-winning ability can so often be key in turning late results in Real's favour, with his athleticism and endurance also vital in hurting teams on the counter even when they appear to be getting the upper hand on Real.
Group C, Monaco: Layvin Kurzawa
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Layvin Kurzawa is Monaco's young left-back who made himself a standout in the side even when the big-money signings were still there.
A quick chat with B/R's Andrew Gibney tells us why the 22-year-old is so pivotal to the team and why he could be one of the next stars targeted by other clubs if Monaco continue selling next summer: "The left-back is behind most good things ASM do. He attacks with pace and power and he's got a wonderful left foot. He's the most consistent player in the side and manager Leonardo Jardim learnt something of a lesson when he left him out of the side against Bordeaux."
Bayer Leverkusen: Stefan Kiessling
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Bayer Leverkusen's squad looks well equipped this season to go on and challenge for a place in the last 16 or beyond, but they have a very tough, even-looking Champions League group, in which it really looks as though any of the four teams might be capable of beating the others.
As such, turning the odd draw into a win—or rescuing a point from defeat—is going to be vital to B04's hopes of progression, with Stefan Kiessling the man they will look to for a regular goal threat.
The striker has already scored three goals in qualifying this season and hit two in the Champions League last season; give him service, which Leverkusen should have plenty of, and he will find the back of the net.
FC Zenit: Viktor Fayzulin
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FC Zenit of Russia look set to have a good campaign domestically, making up for the title-costing mistakes of the end of last term.
In Europe, they face a testing group—but they are capable of progressing if they retain form and consistency. In Andre Villas-Boas' solid shape, central midfielder Viktor Fayzulin is key to both ball retention and transition plays, in both directions.
Endless running, good creativity and composure on the ball and a willingness to work for the team make him a standout player in the side.
Benfica: Enzo Perez
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Argentine international Enzo Perez looks set to play a prominent role for Benfica once more, a constant in their midfield after a summer of many changes.
With Nemanja Matic gone, Enzo Perez is the heart and soul of this Benfica team. Jorge Jesus joked in pre-season that if the Argentinian left for Valencia, he'd have to resign—but he was almost certainly being half-serious.
They are the fourth side in this group who will believe they can progress with some consistency and quality; Perez can provide them with both.
Group D, Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey
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Arsenal don't exactly face an easy path to the knockouts, but they will believe it could have been significantly tougher.
Up against a couple of sides who will no doubt look to contain and frustrate, the Gunners' old issue of not having runners to break defensive lines could come back to haunt them at times—but Aaron Ramsey makes sure that doesn't happen when he is given the freedom of midfield.
His ability to get into the box and on the end of passes, crosses and cutbacks is ever-improving and makes him the most dangerous of their midfielders, with his all-round game able to push his team forward well and help win back possession.
Borussia Dortmund: Marco Reus
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Borussia Dortmund's main problem appears to be to try and keep Marco Reus fit and on the pitch.
If they do that, though, they have one of the game's finest attacking talents on their hands, a playmaker who can score and a direct runner who can attract opponents and create space for others to exploit.
Reus finished last year as one of the most in-form players in Germany, and he is more than capable of transferring that to the biggest stage this season...as long as, of course, his injuries abate.
Galatasaray: Fernando Muslera
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Fernando Muslera was vital to Galatasaray's progress last season, particularly with a last-game clean sheet against Juventus in awful conditions.
More of the same will be required this time around, particularly away from home, where the Turkish side will come under plenty of pressure from the two previous sides in this group.
A big presence in goal, Muslera is a fine shot-stopper, commands his area well and is a reliable, consistent player—exactly what Gala will require.
Anderlecht: Steven Defour
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Youngster Youri Tielemans already shows talent and forward Aleksandar Mitrovic will be looked at to get goals, but the new signing of Steven Defour could be Anderlecht's most impressive name on the team sheet this term.
Defour needs to get back to performing at his best level following a €6 million move from Porto, showing the commanding, driving midfield presence which made him a standout in his younger days.
He could hardly be given a better stage to prove himself on than a tough Champions League group; Anderlecht will be outsiders, but if they are even to finish third and prolong their European adventure this season, getting the best out of Defour will be key.
Group E, Roma: Daniele De Rossi
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Roma's impeccable defence probably meant Mehdi Benatia would have been the key individual, but his departure has been filled by Kostas Manolas, an impressive defender in the Champions League last season who has yet to stake his claim as a Roma player, of course.
Daniele De Rossi remains a club icon and a driving force in the middle, capable of playing either a controlling role in midfield or else pushing on in the middle third as his team's tactics dictate need.
It's a really tough group featuring three top-end teams, so Roma need their best players right on their game to progress. De Rossi is certainly one of those.
Bayern Munich: Arjen Robben
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Bayern Munich have a pretty stacked squad throughout, but Pep Guardiola's new system and preferred method of ball retention can perhaps, at least early on this season, leave their play feeling a little stilted and bland.
Arjen Robben is entirely the opposite to that; he's an exciting, capable and at times unstoppable attacker who can break down opposition lines with his pace and dribbling ability.
For those moments in big games where Bayern dominate but cannot penetrate, Robben can prove he is the big man for them with his standout traits.
Manchester City: Fernando
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Manchester City have a packed squad and plenty of depth throughout, with one of their best areas now looking like the centre of midfield.
Brazilian holding player Fernando might not start the majority of their games domestically as the season goes on, but against the likes of Roma, Bayern and even other group opponent CSKA Moscow, City will almost certainly pick him as a protector for the defence—quite possibly as part of a three-man central midfield.
Tough and uncompromising in the challenge, Fernando distributes the ball simply, covers the width of the defence and allows the likes of Yaya Toure or Fernandinho to offer more of a lateral threat where they might otherwise be restricted in forward movement.
CSKA Moscow: Vasili Berezutski
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Despite winning the Russian Premier League last season, CSKA Moscow are the certain outsiders in this group and have not begun the new campaign terribly well in any case.
They are going to have to be almost perfect to finish anything other than fourth place in a tremendously tough quartet of teams, and with goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev not looking close to recapturing his form of old, centre-back Vasili Berezutski is the main man to watch.
One of the most aggressive and reliable defenders around, Berezutski is a fearless leader of the back line who makes up for lacking a little mobility with a good reading of the game and an all-action style. He'll need to be at his best to keep out the likes of Francesco Totti, Robert Lewandowski and Kun Aguero.
Group F, Ajax: Lasse Schone
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Ajax have seen a couple of star names depart this summer, including Siem de Jong and Daley Blind. Key of the remaining squad to their ambitions and tactical game plan is Danish midfielder Lasse Schone. Ajax fan Babette van Haaren gives us a rundown on why he is so important:
"He's a creative player who can play in a few positions in midfield, whether wide—though he's not a classic winger—or centrally, which is where his main strength is. He prefers to move infield and affect play, he has good set piece delivery and offers goals and assists for the team. He was Ajax's Player of the Year last season and his experience is important to a relatively young side too.
"
APOEL: Urko Pardo
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Cypriot side APOEL Nikosia are rank underdogs to achieve anything in their group, and in truth, their fixture list makes for horrendous reading: away to Barcelona first, home to Ajax, the doubleheader against PSG, then Barça at home and away to Ajax to finish. It's difficult to see exactly where they might pick up any points at all.
Nonetheless, there is no reason not to expect each of their players to put absolutely everything into the competition, perhaps to cause a shock result or look to impress onlookers and seal a move elsewhere.
Their highest-profile name is left-back John Arne Riise, but first-team goalkeeper Urko Pardo will be the busiest man around and thus most important. The Belgian played in the Europa League last season and was on the books of Barcelona as a teenager, playing for the B team for a while.
Barcelona: Leo Messi
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Lionel Messi seems too "easy" to pick as a most important player, but it's also true.
Messi isn't just king goalscorer. He's also started the new season acting as a playmaking option for Barcelona, dropping deeper into space outside the box to receive the ball off the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta before looking to feed the wide forwards who look to take his place centrally and beyond the defensive line.
Of course, being such an immense dribbler, finisher and all-round top player helps, too. When he plays (extremely) well, Barcelona tend to do similarly impressively.
Paris Saint-Germain: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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Like Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in place at Paris Saint-Germain to score plenty of goals but also to be a focal point of the attack, aid buildup play and be a creator of sorts.
It's a role he performs with aplomb, being far and away the standout attacker in Ligue 1, and he just seems to keep producing the goods even more in his later career than ever before.
Ibrahimovic is tough to mark because of his movement and intelligence, is hard to win the ball off once he has it under control and can score goals from all over the place and of every type. Stop him and you can get close to stopping PSG, but it's easier said than done.
Group G, Chelsea: Cesc Fabregas/Nemanja Matic
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Chelsea have a deep squad, but they've also got a great starting XI, which is vital.
The central midfield is already working particularly well: Nemanja Matic is destroying, picking the ball up, carrying it quickly and playing it off simply, while Cesc Fabregas finds space everywhere and is a great link man between the middle and the final thirds.
To pick either one as the most important is folly; in this instance, it's a perfect partnership, and Chelsea would see a significant reduction in team effectiveness in the top games if either one was missing.
Schalke: Benedikt Howedes
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World Cup-winning defender Benedikt Howedes might have seen out Brazil 2014 as a left-back for Germany, but there's no doubt his best position is in the centre of defence.
Aggressive and strong in the challenge, Howedes is a no-nonsense type of defender who clears first and asks questions later. He's a reliable and consistent performer who protects his goalmouth with determination and energy.
He organises and structures the back line well for Schalke and can be a big part of them doing well this season.
Maribor: Tavares
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Tavares was Maribor's hero as he scored the goal in the second leg of the qualifier to beat Celtic and reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The forward, who plays upfront or just off the frontman, scored three times in European competitions last season and 13 times in the domestic league in Slovenia.
Maribor won't be expected to pull off too many upsets against their rivals, but if they do, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Tavares as the man on the scoresheet for them.
Sporting CP: Adrien
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Sporting Lisbon central midfielder Adrien Silva looks set to play a pivotal role for his team this term after a summer of change in management following an impressive 2013-14 that saw Leonardo Jardim poached away.
Playing as the middle player of the three in the centre of the park, Adrien distributes the ball regularly, keeps the tempo of the team going and can be a creative threat moving up the park.
Sporting have a chance of progression from the group stage—if they can find form quickly and start the campaign well.
Group H, Athletic Bilbao: Aritz Aduriz
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Athletic Bilbao have got a great group of players, considering their self-imposed restrictions, but tactically, they are set up with a huge emphasis on one man: striker Aritz Aduriz.
The movement, the hard work, the buildup play—all of it revolves around the presence and the power, along with the scoring ability, of their first-choice No. 9.
Aduriz has started this term in great form, and if he continues, Athletic will certainly be a force to get through into the latter stages.
BATE Borisov: Egor Filipenko
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For Belarus champions BATE Borisov, we turn to associate Nickolay Dubovik, who gave us the lowdown in conversation:
"Egor Filipenko is the main man: he is a top centre-back and it's a real wonder that he is still playing in Belarus. He is an influential figure not only for BATE, but in the national team too.
For BATE the main idea will be not to lose their Champions League games, so as a defender he'll be key to that. He's not merely a defender, he is a leader of the entire back line. It's not just how he plays, it's about how he rules the defence and helps his partners.
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FC Porto: Yacine Brahimi
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Porto are another club who went through significant personnel changes over the summer, with one of their signings, Yacine Brahimi, potentially key to their chances of progression.
Brahimi impressed in La Liga last season as an explosive, tricky threat, whether playing from the left flank or in behind the forward. He can dribble at defenders for fun, and if his end decision-making can improve somewhat, he could be a regular source of chances for others in the Champions League.
Group H looks like one Porto are capable of getting out of, but their first two games—home to BATE and away to Shakhtar—could well shape their ambitions on that front.
Shakhtar Donetsk: Alex Teixeira
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Shakhtar Donetsk face a season of instability and unpredictability, with plenty of summer changes and the ongoing domestic situation a real problem for them to deal with.
On the pitch, Alex Teixeira remains a steady influence in the midfield while others around him have changed. He might not be as flashy as some of his compatriots, but he is key to springing Shakhtar's fast counter-attacks from his deeper role.
A qualification spot is there for the taking, and Teixeira will be Shakhtar's most important performer if they believe it could be theirs.
