Champions League Fantasy Football: Group stage top performers

With the first part of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League campaign now complete, UEFA.com takes a look at the top performers across the entire group stage on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Gregor Kobel (€5.0m) ended the group stage as the highest points scorer in his position, the Dortmund No1 recording 32 points overall. The Bundesliga side kept three consecutive clean sheets in a competitive Group F, while Kobel saved a penalty against Milan on Matchday 5 to further boost his score.

Álex Remiro (€4.1m) led the way for clean sheets, his Real Sociedad team recording four shut-outs in their six matches. At such a budget price, Remiro has been a gift to Fantasy managers, and despite a round of 16 draw against Paris, it would not be a surprise for his ownership to further increase.

Inter's Yann Sommer (€4.5m) and David Raya (€5.0m) of Arsenal both helped their sides keep three clean sheets respectively, although perhaps the most memorable moment for a goalkeeper in the group stage was Ivan Provedel (€5.0m)'s last-gasp equaliser for Lazio against Atlético de Madrid on Matchday 1.

DEFENDERS

Having scored four points or more on every matchday, Mats Hummels (€5.1m) picked up 40 overall, more than any other defender. Not only did the Dortmund centre-back keep three clean sheets, but his 57 ball recoveries – good enough for an additional 16 points – is the most across all positions.

Long-time Fantasy favourites João Cancelo (€6.1m) and Giovanni Di Lorenzo (€5.5m) were also among the highest performers overall, the Barcelona and Napoli full-backs both scoring and providing an assist during the group stage. Real Sociedad pair Aihen Muñoz (€4.9m) and Igor Zubeldia (€4.8m) produced consistent returns and offered excellent value for money.

When it came to attacking returns, Porto's veteran centre-back Pepe (€4.8m) found the net twice, as did former Real Madrid defensive partner Sergio Ramos (€5.4m), whose Sevilla side were unable to reach the knockout rounds. In terms of assists, Nahuel Molina (€6.0m) lived up to his price tag with three assists and also won a penalty for Atlético de Madrid, who face Inter in the round of 16.

MIDFIELDERS

Two midfielders passed a half-century of points in the group stage, although in very different ways. Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (€7.9m) – currently owned by three-quarters of Fantasy managers – was remarkably consistent, producing three double-figure returns and either scoring or assisting in all five of his appearances. Porto winger Galeno (€6.8m), though, scored an incredible 41 of his 51 points in two meetings with Shakhtar Donetsk and no player has scored more Fantasy points than the Brazilian.

In the first half of the group stage, Real Sociedad's Brais Méndez (€6.9m) was the leading midfielder with 35 points across the first three matchdays but missed out on Matchday 6 with an arm injury and next faces a tough last-16 tie against Paris.

Other standout performers include Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (€9.8m), Manchester City's Phil Foden (€8.1m) and Xavi Simons (€6.9m) at Leipzig. The latter's parent club Paris boast an excellent Fantasy option of their own with youngster Warren Zaïre-Emery (€5.3m) recording a goal, three assists and two Player of the Match awards.

FORWARDS

Harry Kane (€10.1m) is enjoying a phenomenal debut season at Bayern, and that has extended into the Champions League with the England international having scored the most Fantasy points in his position. Fellow premium forwards Erling Haaland (€11.7m) and Antoine Griezmann (€10.7m) likewise performed to a high level, while Kylian Mbappé (€11.5m) scored three goals for Paris.

Although he only started four of Arsenal's six fixtures, Gabriel Jesus (€8.6m) has proven an excellent Fantasy asset with four goals, two assists and two Player of the Match awards taking him to 37 points overall.

Cheaper still are Porto pair Evanilson (€7.2m) and Mehdi Taremi (€8.1m), who recorded nine attacking returns between them, while Loïs Openda (€7.8m), Ciro Immobile (€7.7m) and Mikel Oyarzabal (€6.7m) were other budget-friendly strikers who made their mark.