#UCLFantasy: The Scout squad
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Article summary
The Scout is taking advantage of the unlimited transfers on offer to put together a new-look squad for the quarter-finals.
Article top media content
Article body
With unlimited transfers on offer before the first quarter-final kicks off at 21:00 CEST on Wednesday, there's the chance to give your squad a total overhaul, and it's one that The Scout is seizing.
The eight-team final tournament in Lisbon presents a unique challenge, and opportunity, for #UCLfantasy managers. However, given the format means that ties are now one leg instead of the usual two, it's more important than ever to keep in mind who you think will go through to the next round, because there's limited room for tinkering ahead of the semi-finals.
Goalkeepers
As ever, when we reach the business end of the season, the games become too close to call – meaning clean sheets could well be at a premium. However, such is the defensive prowess of Atlético Madrid that goalkeeper Jan Oblak (€6.0m) feels like the most likely option, even allowing for his hefty price tag. In normal circumstances Leipzig No1 Péter Gulácsi (€4.4m) would represent a strong budget differential but, considering the German club face Atlético, Paris Saint-Germain's Keylor Navas (€5.7m) gets the nod instead – as the top-scoring goalkeeper on the game this season, with 41 points, he's a good alternative to have.
Defenders
Atlético and Paris are also represented in the back line – not surprisingly, given their respective records in this season's competition. Paris full-back Juan Bernat (€5.7m) is the top scorer among defenders in the 2019/20 competition, with 53 points, and could add to that tally in what promises to be an open encounter against Atalanta; Atlético pair Felipe (€5.3m) – who boasts the second-highest points tally among defenders, 48 – and Renan Lodi (€4.3m) also make the cut. Atalanta's Robin Gosens (€4.6m) retains his place as his wing-back role gives him potential for attacking returns, while the low price of Leipzig's Konrad Laimer (€4.2m) frees up funds for investment elsewhere.
Midfielders
That careful budgeting at the back means funds are available for investment in attacking roles in midfield and attack. Leipzig's Marcel Sabitzer (€6.7m) does not fall into the top-ranked price assets but is the third-highest scorer among the midfielders on 50 points; both he and Atalanta's Alejandro Gómez (€6.5m) are likely to have key roles to play. The same applies to Manchester City pair Raheem Sterling (€11.3m) – the top-scoring midfielder in #UCLfantasy with 56 points – and Kevin De Bruyne (€10.3m); the Belgian may not quite have caught fire in this season's UEFA Champions League with 32 points, but his record-equalling 20 assists in the 2019/20 Premier League make a powerful case for inclusion. Serge Gnabry (€8.3m) has amassed all of his six goals this term in London, but his Bayern München side are in sensational form ahead of their heavyweight contest with Barcelona.
Forwards
Up front presents one of the easiest selections of this or any other #UCLfantasy campaign. Seven appearances, 13 goals, four assists, a mammoth 83 points – Robert Lewandowski (€10.9m) is impossible to ignore. Gabriel Jesus (€8.4m) will lead the Manchester City line against Lyon, and with five goals in his last seven matches – including one in the round of 16 second leg against Real Madrid – he is a man in form. On the opposing side in that quarter-final is Lyon forward Memphis Depay (€8.0m), who has found the net in all six of his games in this season's competition and will shoulder much of the French team's attacking hopes.