Raphinha, Virgil van Dijk and GOAL's Team of the 2024-25 Champions League league phase

The obvious choice for our No.1 shirt. The Switzerland international is undeniably fortunate to play behind one of the best backlines in Europe, but Sommer was also integral to Inter keeping a seriously impressive seven clean sheets in eight games.

Indeed, his 95 percent save success rateis utterly ridiculous and on a whole other level to any other goalkeeper in the competition.

Just a fantastic footballer. Hakimi is one of the most complete defenders in the game today, as underlined by the fact that nobody in this season's Champions League has won possession more times (56) than the Morocco right-back, while only four players (all attackers) created more chances than Hakimi (21).

He's also emerged as quite the leader at Parc des Princes and Luis Enrique's men simply wouldn't have made it through to the play-offs without him.

One of the most coveted free agents on the market right now and it's easy to understand why. Tah is a wonderfully composed and combative centre-back who was immense in the league phase for Leverkusen, helping Xabi Alonso's side keep five clean sheets in eight outings.

The 28-year-old was excellent in the air and fantastic on the ball, but it was his ability to snuff out danger that really stood out.

Van Dijk earned himself a well-earned rest on matchday eight after helping Liverpool keep five clean sheets in their previous seven games. Truth be told, though, the Dutchman almost certainly could have played against PSV in Eindhoven on Wednesday, given he probably wouldn't have expended much energy anyway.

At 33 years of age, Van Dijk is still making marking the world's best attackers look ridiculously easy and has also formed a very formidable central-defensive partnership with Ibrahima Konate.

To be brutally honest, it's not been a great tournament so far for left-backs, with very few standing out.

However, apart from maybe one poor piece of defending against Leverkusen, Dimarco has been typically solid at the back for Inter, while also proving a terrific outlet down the left-hand side. The Italy international only registered one assist, but he created 13 chances.

It's crazy to think that Bayern Munich could lose Kimmich on a free transfer during the summer - the multi-talented midfielder is their most important player. There's literally nothing that Kimmich cannot do on a football field.

Only Florian Wirtz and Raphinha created more chances than the 29-year-old, while only Hakimi won possession more times. Bayern should break the bank to keep Kimmich.

Martin Zubimendi rejecting a summer move to Merseyside looked like a major problem for Liverpool, but Arne Slot had a ready-made solution: utilising Ryan Gravenberch as a No.6.

The 22-year-old has been a revelation at the base of the midfield, reading the play wonderfully well and also demonstrating a very useful ability to break the opposition's defensive line with a drop of the shoulder, and was particularly impressive in the wins over AC Milan and Real Madrid.

PSG have made a lot of questionable calls in the transfer market over the past few years, but agreeing to pay Benfica €70m for Neves was not one of them. Indeed, it's already looking like a bargain based on his performances in the Champions League.

The 20-year-old's stats when it comes to winning tackles, duels and possession are outstanding, while he's also a terrific passer of the ball as he proved during a staggeringly dominant display in a must-win clash with Manchester City.

There are few better players to watch in world football right now than Wirtz, who scores goals (he got six in the league phase), creates chances (a tournament-high 25) and dribbles past players with a rare elegance.

The Germany international is absolutely integral to a fantastic Leverkusen side, so it won't come as that much of a surprise to learn that he's been Player of the Match in a ridiculous five of their eight league-phase games.

Dortmund have had their ups and downs in this season's Champions League, but Guirassy has been a constant menace up front for BVB. Indeed, he averaged a goal or assist every 51 minutes in the league phase and is level with Robert Lewandowski at the top of the scorers' charts.

Hard to believe, then, that Dortmund only paid €18m (£15m/$19m) to sign the Guinea international from Stuttgart last summer!

Raphinha has enjoyed a remarkable revival at Barcelona, going from surplus to requirements to arguably the best player in the most exciting team in Europe in less than a year.

The Brazil international scored eight times in eight appearances in the league phase (not one of which came from the penalty spot!), while also contributing four assists as the Blaugrana finished second in the standings - no player was directly involved in more goals in the league phase.