Who should be my Champions League Fantasy Football Captain for Matchday 10?
Thursday, April 7, 2022
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The captaincy credentials of Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, Phil Foden and Luis Díaz come under the UEFA.com microscope for the quarter-final second legs.
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It's a quick turnaround for the second legs of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA.com is wasting no time in providing some captaincy options for Matchday 10 of #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.
TUESDAY 12 APRIL
Karim Benzema (€10.5m) vs Chelsea (H)
Benzema's three goals at Chelsea made him only the fourth player to score successive UEFA Champions League hat-tricks, and with the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, it is difficult to look past the Frenchman for a captaincy pick in this fixture. The Real Madrid striker has now reached double figures for goals in the UEFA Champions League this season – the first time in his career he has done so – and is fast approaching 40 goals in all competitions for the campaign. Given his blistering form, with 13 goals in his last seven Madrid appearances, Benzema is making a huge claim for the armband on Matchday 10, with those that captained him in the first leg having been handsomely rewarded given his return of 18 points.
Other options: Vinícius Júnior (€8.7m), Kai Havertz (€9.3m)
Robert Lewandowski (€12.3m) vs Villarreal (H)
Lewandowski failing to register an attacking return on Matchday 9 was an unwelcome repeat for many #UCLfantasy managers, the Bayern striker having done the same in the round of 16 first leg at Salzburg. What happened following that should offer some comfort though, as the Polish star went on to score a mammoth 24 points in the return leg to justify the faith put in him. Once again, Bayern have home advantage in the second leg and must take the game to Villarreal in order to turn the tie around. Lewandowski remains the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season on 12 goals, and the third highest of all time, so his credentials speak for themselves when it comes to the captaincy.
Other options: Kingsley Coman (€8.9m), Arnaut Danjuma (€7.4m)
WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL
Phil Foden (€8.2m) vs Atlético (A)
As has been the case for many teams in the past, Atlético's defensive organisation was proving frustrating for Manchester City in the first leg, with a goalless draw looking on the cards as the game approached its final stages. That all changed with the introduction of Foden midway through the second half, the 21-year-old providing the spark, and the assist, for Kevin De Bruyne to finally break the deadlock. Foden was a regular threat to Atlético's defence after coming off the bench and Pep Guardiola will surely be considering him for a start in Madrid. The midfielder has contributed four attacking returns and a Player of the Match performance in the UEFA Champions League so far this season, and scored more Fantasy points than any other City player in 2020/21.
Other options: Kevin De Bruyne (€11.0m), Reinildo Mandava (€5.8m)
Luis Díaz (€8.1m) vs Benfica (H)
Mohamed Salah will no doubt be the more popular captaincy choice when Liverpool welcome Benfica, but those #UCLfantasy managers looking to make up ground on their mini-league rivals must think outside the box, and Díaz offers an excellent alternative. When Liverpool's starting line-up revealed that Díaz was being deployed in the front three on Matchday 9, the Colombian's #UCLfantasy ownership spiked as a result, and his investors were duly rewarded with a goal, assist and Player of the Match bonus. Given his previous stint at Portuguese side Porto, Díaz clearly relished the opportunity to face his old rivals and Jürgen Klopp will be seriously considering him for another start on Matchday 10.
Other options: Mohamed Salah (€11.2m), Darwin Núñez (€7.9m)