UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: EIGHT Real Madrid stars dominate

UEFA's Technical Observers select their 18-man squad from this season's UEFA Champions League.

Goalkeepers

Keylor Navas (Real Madrid)

Technical Observers say: Steady campaign and made saves when required to.

Alisson Becker (Roma)

Technical Observers say: Some excellent performances en route to the semi-finals. Numerous saves away to Shakhtar kept his team in the tie.

Defenders

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern München)

Technical Observers say: Energetic full-back helped Bayern's run to the semi-finals, and an excellent goal in the semis gave his team belief.

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Technical Observers say: The champions' defensive talisman as they completed their hat-trick.

Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Technical Observers say: Provides width and an incredible attacking threat from left-back.

Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)

Technical Observers say: Juventus' key defender was at the heart of brilliant team defensive displays in London and Madrid.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Technical Observers say: Arrived at Liverpool in January and provided composure and stability in the competition's knockout stages.

Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid)

Technical Observers say: Ramos' central defensive partner is outstanding in his own right.

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Technical Observers say: The complete midfield player, with the technical and athletic ability to play in any midfield role.

Casemiro (Real Madrid)

Technical Observers say: The anchor man of Madrid's immaculately balanced midfield trio.

Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)

Technical Observers say: Always available to receive the ball, he is incredibly important to how the champions want to play.

Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

Technical Observers say: Composure on the ball and metronomic passing. He and Modrić bring an attacking fluidity to Madrid's game.

James Rodríguez (Bayern München)

Technical Observers say: Performed excellently in the knockout stages, particularly in the second leg against Real Madrid.

Forwards

Edin Džeko (Roma)

Technical Observers say: A brilliant volleyed finish in the group stage against Chelsea was a highlight as he led the line and his team to the semi-finals, scoring eight goals along the way.

Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)

Technical Observers say: Combined incredible work rate and fierce competitiveness with technical quality, scoring ten goals in the competition.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Technical Observers say: Barcelona's key attacker was the difference-maker in both round of 16 games against Chelsea.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Technical Observers say: The competition's top scorer for the sixth consecutive year and scorer of the Technical Observers' goal of the season.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Technical Observers say: The Liverpool winger had an incredible season, making the difference in the semi-finals, and his departure in the final changed the outlook of the game.