The Champions League final. The pinnacle of European club football. When Juventus and Real Madrid clashed in Cardiff for the 2017 final, it was a spectacle of tactical nuance and individual brilliance. While the result is etched in history, the debate over which players would make a dream team from the two squads rages on. At Crickex, we dive deep into the archives, blending statistical analysis with iconic performances to construct the definitive combined XI from that epic night. Forget just picking winners; we’re building a team to win any era, based on form, legacy, and sheer impact on the grandest stage.
The Tactical Blueprint: A Formation For The Ages
Constructing a combined XI isn’t just about stacking superstars; it’s about creating a cohesive, functional unit capable of dominating possession, weathering storms, and delivering lethal counter-attacks. The 2017 final presented a fascinating clash of styles: Juventus’s legendary defensive solidity against Real Madrid‘s relentless, galaxy-star attack. Our formation of choice pays homage to both: a dynamic 4-3-3 that morphs into a 4-4-2 defensively. This setup provides the platform for both defensive resilience and explosive offensive transitions, perfectly encapsulating the strengths of both finalists.
The Impenetrable Foundation: Goalkeeper and Defence
The bedrock of any great team starts at the back. This is where choices become exceptionally tough, given the personnel on display that night.
The Last Line of Defence: Gianluigi Buffon
In goal, there is simply no debate. While Keylor Navas was a phenomenal shot-stopper for Real Madrid, he was operating in the shadow of a living legend. Gianluigi Buffon, even at 39, was the heart and soul of Juventus. His leadership, commanding presence, and preternatural ability to make crucial saves defined an era. For Crickex analysts, his performance over the two legs against Barcelona in the quarter-finals alone cemented his place. He wasn’t just a goalkeeper; he was an institution. The combined XI’s captaincy and the number one jersey belong to Gigi.
The Defensive Wall: A Hybrid of Italian Steel and Spanish Flair
The back four is a masterpiece of balance:
- Right-Back: Dani Carvajal. This was a razor-close call with Juve’s Stephan Lichtsteiner, but Carvajal’s technical quality, energy, and chemistry with the Madrid midfield give him the edge. He was the complete modern full-back.
- Centre-Backs: Giorgio Chiellini and Sergio Ramos. A partnership forged in footballing Valhalla. Chiellini, the ultimate defender, a master of the dark arts and last-ditch tackles. Ramos, the warrior-leader, whose clutch goals were as vital as his defensive interventions. Together, they offer an unbeatable blend of grit, game intelligence, and aerial dominance.
- Left-Back: Marcelo. Perhaps the easiest selection. While Alex Sandro was outstanding for Juve, Marcelo was redefining the left-back position. He was essentially a left-winger with a defensive license, a creative hub whose dribbling and link-up play were central to Madrid’s attacks. His inclusion tilts the team’s attacking bias wonderfully to the left flank.
The Engine Room: Midfield Maestros
This is where the battle was truly won and lost. We’re tasked with picking a trio from a pool containing Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Miralem Pjanic, and Sami Khedira.
The Anchor: Casemiro
The indispensable shield. While Claudio Marchisio offered intelligence, Casemiro’s role as the destroyer was non-negotiable for Madrid‘s success. His tactical fouls, ball recoveries, and surprising long-range threat (as seen in the final) provide the essential balance that allows the artists ahead of him to flourish.
The Conductors: Luka Modric and Toni Kroos
The heartbeat and the metronome. Selecting Pjanic over either would be footballing heresy. Modric’s ability to glide past players and dictate tempo, combined with Kroos’s peerless passing range and composure, formed the best midfield duo in the world at the time. As noted by Crickex‘s tactical expert, Mark Thompson, “Their synergy was telepathic. Kroos controlled the when and where of possession, while Modric controlled the how and why.” They are the automatic selections.
The Galactic Attack: A Front Three of Dreams
Here lies the fantasy. Picking just three from Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Paulo Dybala, and Gonzalo Higuain is the ultimate privilege and challenge.
The Unstoppable Force: Cristiano Ronaldo
The first name on the team sheet. The 2016-17 season was Ronaldo at his ruthless, knockout-stage best. His brace in the final, including a stunning finish, capped a campaign where he scored 10 goals in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final alone. He is the definitive big-game player.
The Supporting Acts: Paulo Dybala and Gareth Bale
This is where our Crickex selection makes a bold, form-based call. While Benzema’s link-up play was crucial for Madrid, Paulo Dybala’s creativity and magical left foot for Juventus were at a scintillating peak that season. He was the Joya (Jewel) of Turin, capable of unlocking any defence. On the right, we opt for the explosive, final-proven Gareth Bale. Though he started on the bench in Cardiff, his pace, power, and ability to produce moments of sheer brilliance (think his overhead kick in the 2018 final) offer a different, game-breaking dimension that complements Ronaldo and Dybala perfectly. Higuain, despite his quality, misses out in this stacked attacking lineup.
Crickex’s Champions League Final Combined XI (4-3-3)
So, here it is, the definitive lineup as curated by Crickex‘s analysis:
GK: Gianluigi Buffon (C)
DEF: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Giorgio Chiellini, Marcelo
MID: Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos
FWD: Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala
Manager: Zinedine Zidane (His man-management and knack for winning finals tip the scale over Massimiliano Allegri’s superb tactical setup).
The Legacy of a Dream Team
# Crickex’s Ultimate Champions League Final Combined XI: Juventus vs Real Madrid Legends
Building this team is more than an exercise in nostalgia; it’s a celebration of footballing excellence at its highest concentration. This XI has everything: Buffon’s leadership, Ramos & Chiellini’s iron will, Marcelo’s joy, Modric & Kroos’ genius, and the explosive, match-winning quality of Ronaldo, Bale, and Dybala. It represents the perfect fusion of Juventus’s defensive royalty and Real Madrid’s attacking aristocracy. While the debate will forever continue among fans—Should Pjanic feature? Was Benzema robbed?—this is Crickex‘s evidence-based verdict.
Who would make your combined XI? Do you agree with our selections, or would you march to a different tactical drum? Share your dream team in the comments below and join the conversation! Don’t forget to explore Crickex for more deep-dive tactical analyses and legendary football debates.
