The Starting XI: UCL Quarterfinals - Tuesday/Wednesday
Europe’s most prestigious cup competition returns this week and next with four quarterfinal ties deciding passage to the semifinals. This UEFA Champions League round boasts a rematch of last year’s final with Real Madrid taking on neighboring rivals Atletico Madrid, the third and fourth clashes of the campaign between Barcelona and PSG, and the respective league leaders from Germany and Italy in Bayern Munich and Juventus.
Ernestiko takes a look at eleven players from this week’s action (2 GK, 3 DEF, 3 MF, 3 FW) that could turn in big performances on DraftKings, as these European juggernauts position themselves for the second leg next week.
GK Gianluigi Buffon $5,500 – Juventus
Here’s what we know about the Juventus vs. Monaco Quarterfinal – both teams have stellar defenses and will be tough to break down. In their Round of 16 tie against Arsenal, Monaco absorbed pressure all game long in both legs and chose their spots when the Gunners were open at the back to counter. Juve have only conceded a remarkable 15 goals in Serie A this year and Monaco aren’t exactly breaking scoring records in Ligue 1 (39 goals scored in 32 matches). With the assurances of playing the first leg in Turin, Buffon should have a relatively easy evening.
GK Salvatore Sirigu $4,100 – PSG
Yes, PSG host Barcelona on Wednesday night and yes Barcelona fields the likes of Messi, Neymar and Suarez on their front line week in and week out…but hear me out. PSG will be without a quartet of crucial players in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Verratti, Thiago Motta and David Luiz giving me reason to think they might try and shut this game down with the thought of going to Barcelona next week with a chance to win thanks to away goals and having some of those aforementioned players back. Furthermore, in La Liga, Barca’s last three away matches have seen them beat tiny Eibar 2-0, a 1-0 struggle against Celta Vigo and a 2-2 draw this past weekend against Sevilla. With the majority of the other GK’s available at salaries exceeding $5,000, Sirigu could be a valuable discount play if PSG can turn in a good defensive effort.
DEF Philipp Lahm $4,000 – Bayern Munich
Lahm is slowly but surely making his way back into Pep Guardiola’s German machine after a long injury layoff. Considering under Pep’s philosophy Lahm features further up the pitch in a central midfield role, he is a great play at a great price. Lahm is often involved in link up play with Bayern’s attackers and could also see defensive clean sheet points as well from a midfield position.
DEF Stephan Lichtsteiner $4,600 – Juventus
Juventus should see a large portion of the possession when they face Monaco and that should allow Lichtsteiner to get up the field from his right back position and join the attack. Lichtsteiner is one of the more consistent wing backs available hitting double digit FPTS in four out of eight matches, with his lowest point total being 7. Juventus should also feel good about keeping
Monaco out of the net thus bringing in clean sheet points.
DEF Adriano $3,500 – Barcelona
Usual right back Dani Alves is suspended so the entrance of Adriano into the starting lineup could prove to be a nice value play. Barcelona wing backs like to get forward and Adriano is no exception.
MF James Rodriguez $8,300 – Real Madrid
Real have turned the corner recently and are back to playing their best football thanks in large part to the returns of Luka Modric and James Rodriguez. Just two games back from his foot injury, James has notched two assists and a goal and he could prove to be the spark that Real needs to get back to the Champions League promised land. Atletico, as they always do, will be a difficult test but if Real have success, James could play a big part.
MF Mario Gotze $8,900 – Bayern Munich
With both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery facing injury concerns, the onus will fall on Gotze to put his creative stamp on the tie in Portugal Wednesday night. Some of Gotze’s best games this campaign have come in the Champions League (4 goals) and Porto have some injury worries of their own, particularly in the back four.
MF Javier Pastore $5,900 – PSG
With Ibrahimovic out suspended, Pastore will occupy one of the forward wing slots with Edinson Cavani moving central. Being that Pastore will be positioned in an advanced role, this is a price worth paying within midfield slots. Pastore has nine assists in all competitions this year further justifying a place in lineups on Wednesday.
FW Carlos Tevez $8,500 – Juventus
Tevez was at the forefront of Juve’s destruction of Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16 scoring three goals over two legs but his good form hasn’t stopped there. Tevez also leads Serie A in goals scored with 17 not to mention 7 assists also to his name.
FW Lionel Messi $12,500 – Barcelona
If this selection needs any explanation then we’ll just say that Messi has played a part in 49 of Barcelona’s 87 league goals. Even if he doesn’t score, Messi brings value in other categories like fouls drawn, shots on goal, etc. If you’re comparing him with Ronaldo, he probably has the easier matchup.
FW Thomas Muller $9,500 – Bayern Munich
Muller has contributed either by goal or assist to 23 of Bayern’s 74 Bundesliga goals and also has five goals to his name in this year’s Champions League campaign. Given that Muller also takes on penalty duties, he is always a great addition to any lineup.
SUBSTITUTES
Manuel Neuer $5,600 – Bayern Munich
Rafinha $4,800 – Bayern Munich
Koke $7,300 – Atletico Madrid
Yacine Brahimi $8,000 – FC Porto
Robert Lewandowski $9,400 – Bayern Munich
Cristiano Ronaldo $12,800 – Real Madrid