2009/10 Uefa Champions League dream team
Inter Milan sealed their third European Cup last Saturday with a 2-0 victory over German side Bayern Munich in Madrid. It brought an end to a highly-eventful Champions League campaign full of thrills, spills and drama.
Here are the eleven names who helped light up the prestigious competition this season:
Goalkeeper: Júlio César (Inter Milan)
The Brazilian goalkeeper was a pivotal part of Inter Milan’s triumphant campaign - keeping some of the world’s best strikers at bay, while cementing his status as arguably the best goalkeeper on the planet. With excellent reflexes, a commanding presence and superb distribution, the 30-year-old Brazil number one is now rightfully considered alongside the likes of Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon as the best goalkeepers in the world.
Right-Back: Maicon (Inter Milan)
Brazil have always had an embarrassment of riches when it comes to attacking full-backs; but with Barcelona’s Daniel Alves and Inter’s Maicon, this really is a golden age for Brazilian right-backs. After playing an instrumental role in the Nerazzurri’s European campaign with his marauding runs up the right-wing and a superb goal against Barcelona in the semi-final first-leg; Maicon deservedly takes the award for right-back of the season.
Centre-Back: Lúcio (Inter Milan)
The third Inter Milan player to make the list and the third Brazil international, Lúcio has been the standout defender in the Champions League this season. The towering central-defender was at the heart of the Inter defence during their miraculous defensive display against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in April; and performed heroics with a series of blocks, headers and last-ditch tackles throughout the campaign. Inspirational.
Centre-Back: Gerard Piqué (Barcelona)
Piqué has blossomed into one of Europe’s best defenders since moving back to Barcelona from Manchester United in 2008. Barça manager, Pep Guardiola, has managed to get the best out of the hugely-talented Spain international, and is now reaping the rewards. At just 23, Piqué possesses all the hallmarks of a world-class centre-back, and is rapidly approaching that level. He also showed his versatility against Inter Milan in the semi-finals, scoring a sensational goal at the Nou Camp to put striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to shame.
Left-Back: Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan)
Argentina head coach, Diego Maradona, recently baffled the world by omitting Javier Zanetti from his 30-man World Cup squad. Off the back of a “monster” season in the words of Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti, talismanic captain Zanetti has been outstanding throughout the Champions League campaign. With a rare ability to play across midfield and defence, the 36-year-old veteran full-back continues to defy age from creeping up on him. Against Barcelona, he thwarted the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, over the course of the two semi-finals; and for this alone he deserves the left-back berth.
Centre-Midfield: Xavi (Barcelona)
World football’s pass-master was at his imperious best for the Catalan giants right up until their exit in the semi-finals. Against Inter in the second-leg, the Spaniard remarkably mustered more passes than the entire Italian side put together. Always so comfortable and assured in possession and never, ever flustered - Xavi was one Barcelona player who deserved to be in the final this year.
Centre-Midfield: Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)
How Real Madrid must regret allowing the brilliant Dutch midfielder to leave their club last summer. Sneijder provided some much-needed flair and spark to the Inter Milan midfield with his incisive array of passing and ended the season with a treble to his name. Excellent in the Champions League throughout the campaign, there’s now speculation that he will follow José Mourinho back to the Bernabéu before the start of next season.
Attacking Right-Wing: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
Arguably the Champions League’s best player this season, Arjen Robben is another world-class Dutchman that Real Madrid allowed to leave last summer. Rejuvenated at Bayern Munich, Robben has been sensational for the Bundesliga outfit since arriving for the reasonable fee of £22 million. Wonder-strikes against Fiorentina, Manchester United and Lyon were invaluable for the Germans as they reached the Champions League Final.
Attacking Left-Wing: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
There are no more superlatives left for the Argentinian genius after another stunning season at the Nou Camp, which saw him rack up a staggering 47 goals. Messi finished top scorer of this season’s Champions League with eight goals to his name, including an incredible four-goal haul against Arsenal in the quarter-finals. The world’s best player may only be 5’ 7” and just 22-years-old, but he’s already firmly on course to end his career as one of the greatest of all time.
Striker: Ivica Olić (Bayern Munich)
The Croatia international was another of Bayern’s summer signings, and another who settled into life at the Allianz Arena with consummate ease. The 30-year-old’s work-ethic has been a shining example to young professional forwards in the making, and his determination duly paid off during this year’s competition after scoring seven vital goals. A late winner against Manchester United in the quarter-finals and a hat-trick away at Lyon in the semis were among the highlights for the tenacious Croatian.
Striker: Diego Milito (Inter Milan)
Yet another player in this season’s Champions League who enjoyed a brilliant first season with his new club. Inter Milan’s Argentinian striker, Diego Milito, scored the two goals in the final to seal the Nerazzurri’s first European Cup since 1965. An expert finisher with a deadly eye for goal, the 30-year-old former Genoa and Real Zaragoza hitman has finally joined a club where his goalscoring prowess can be truly showcased and appreciated. Milito has emerged from the shadows and established himself as one of the world’s most revered strikers.
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