Sought-after Lyon ace Aouar gatecrashes Bayern-dominant combined XI

 

Bayern Munich are understandably clear favourites to win the 2019/20 Champions League after their 8-2 mauling of Barcelona in the quarter-finals. Next up is Lyon for a place in the final to face Paris Saint-Germain and Hansi Flick's side are expected to make light work of the French side after they finished seventh in Ligue 1.

 

However, while Bayern's demolition job of Barcelona showed they are rampant in attack there are still defensive issues lingering that need to be ironed out for the Bundesliga champions. David Alaba scored a memorable own goal against Barcelona, while Jerome Boateng, who is not wanted by Bayern, defended poorly for Luis Suarez's goal. Barcelona also exploited a lot of space behind Alphonso Davies but couldn't get the final pass right to take advantage.

 

With that said, Lyon do at least have some hope heading into Wednesday's match. Assessing what a combined XI may look like between the two sides, Lyon are at least represented by three players. It's no surprise Bayern dominate the XI, with Lewandowski leading the line for the Bavarians.

 

Lewandowski is both top scorer in this season's Champions League with 14 goals and is joint-top for most assists (5). He is on course to earn the highest ever WhoScored rating in a single Champions League campaign (9.33) and needs three goals from a maximum of two matches to match Cristiano Ronaldo's record in a single season. With only room for one place in attack, Lyon skipper Memphis Depay misses out.

 

The French side do at least get their best rated player in the side. Houssem Aouar has caused a real stir this season and it could prove his final game for the club if they are eliminated as expected. Manchester City and Juventus are both monitoring the 22-year-old, who has played a direct hand in five goals (one goal, four assists) and ranks third for most dribbles per game (4.4).

 

Sought-after Lyon ace Aouar gatecrashes Bayern-dominant combined XI

 

Aouar is joined in the side by two of Lyon's regular back three. Marcelo edges David Alaba out of the side on weighted rating, having played in three more Champions League matches than the Bayern defender. He partners Marcal at the back, who has done well adapting to a centre-back position. Meanwhile, Bruno Guimaraes nor 20-year-old Maxence Caqueret have made enough appearances in the competition to be considered for the XI.

 

However it's unlikely to have made a difference given the ratings of Thiago and Thomas Muller. The former, who is expected to join Liverpool this summer, has a 78.6% dribble success rate and two assists having managed none in 24 Bundesliga appearances. Muller, meanwhile, has played a direct hand in six goals in eight appearances. After his brace in the last round, only four players in the history of the competition have more knockout stage goals than the Bayern ace.

Sought-after Lyon ace Aouar gatecrashes Bayern-dominant combined XI