The 2022-23 Champions League group stage is coming to a close. The tournament has once again seen some terrific performances from established superstars such as Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.
But this year has also seen some unexpectedly strong showings from surprising players, who have led their respective clubs to much success.
So without further ado, here are SBOTOP’s picks for the top five performers in the 2022-23 Champions League group stage.
Simon Mignolet, Club Brugge
Club Brugge were the biggest surprise of the group stage as they made their way to the knockout round for the first time in the club’s history. Touted as likely last-place finishers, they could potentially finish top of a group that includes Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and FC Porto.
Much of the Belgians’ success has been down to their fine defence – they had not conceded a single goal before getting smashed 4-0 by Porto – and the brilliant form of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The 34-year-old former Liverpool shot-stopper has turned back the clock this season and put up some outstanding performances. His superhuman showing against Atletico Madrid stands out among the rest as he made nine saves to help Brugge claim the point they needed to qualify for the last 16.
Mignolet will now look to make more Champions League 2022 highlights with Club Brugge in the knockout rounds.
Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain
As great as Kylian Mbappe has been in these group stages – six goals (tied with Mohamed Salah for the tournament lead) and two assists – he still isn’t the best Champions League performer on his own team.
That honour goes to the GOAT Lionel Messi, who has turned in a vintage performance in the group stages. The Argentine has scored four goals and provided three assists while playing one game fewer than his PSG teammate.
Messi joined PSG with the main goal of becoming European champion one last time, and in the form he is in at the moment, PSG’s Champions League 2022 odds of winning the title are looking rather enticing.
Leroy Sane, Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have basically mastered the Champions League group stage at this point. The German giants are unbeaten in group play for five years now and have a chance to seal back-to-back perfect group stages if they beat Inter Milan.
It’s hard to pick a standout performer from what has been a tremendous collective, but Leroy Sane has likely been the best of the bunch.
The German international has been in terrific form this season, and especially in the Champions League. He leads the team with four goals and scored against both Inter Milan and Barcelona.
If Jamal Musiala – arguably Bayern’s best player in the Bundesliga – can raise his mediocre play in Europe and match Sane’s, Bayern will definitely be a dangerous side to face in the knockout round.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Napoli
Napoli have been the most dominant side in the Champions League group stage this season, with five wins out of five, 20 goals scored and a +16 goal difference.
While the young strikers, Giacomo Raspadori and Victor Osimhen, and breakout star Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, have grabbed the headlines, it’s been Andre-Frank Zamba Anguissa who has been every bit as crucial to the team’s success.
The Cameroonian midfielder is known more for his defensive abilities, but he has been unleashed as a true box-to-box beast this season. He has already contributed a goal and three assists in the Champions League, and more could be coming in the knockout rounds if the Neapolitans are able to make a deep run.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City
Haaland has been an absolute goal machine throughout his career in the Champions League, and this season has been no different.
With five goals in just 248 minutes played for Manchester City – 45 of which he played with a fever and an injured foot against former club Borussia Dortmund – Haaland has now scored an incredible 28 goals in just 23 Champions League games, with a strike rate of a goal every hour.
With Haaland continuing to bang goals in for fun, Manchester City fans are hoping that he could be the missing piece they need to finally claim that elusive European crown.
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