With another UCL fantasy round ahead, I’ve carefully built a squad that balances star-power, form, and smart differentials. Of course I’ve incorporated all of NMA’s strategy and tactics (sorting between Tuesday and Wednesday players, biasing toward Tuesday and playing at home but aware that I have only two free transfers before all match-ups flip both days and hosts).
Picking the right players is always a challenge, but I’m confident this team can deliver on day one. What I don’t comprehend is day two and captain twisting, so I need your help! Here’s my result:
![](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/STrUePXZdeHYWYpwSx_iRFXSF0s=/0x0:718x1031/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:718x1031):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25868737/UCL_2025_02_10.png)
Goalkeeper:
I trust Gianluigi Donnaruma to deliver for PSG at Brest. He makes plenty of saves and has a good chance of keeping a clean sheet. If don’t like him, Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund at Sporting Lisbon) as a solid alternative, but they both play on Tuesday, so you should buy only one or the other, not both.
There is no attractive Wednesday keeper, so buy the one you most want in the return leg (MD-10) when days and hosts are flipped. Manuel Neuer vs Celtic might be the best if you have the budget.
Defenders:
Defense can be tricky in UCL Fantasyso I’ve gone with a mix of stability and attacking potential.
If the gvviool is solid, offering points from ball recoveries and the occasional goal threat.
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Gleison Bremer brings Juventus’s defensive strength into my squad. If they manage a clean sheet, he’s likely to be a key reason why.
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I’ve also picked Thilo Kehrer as a budget option. He’s reliable and should get minutes, which is crucial when balancing the squad.
Midfielders:
Kevin de Bruyne is a must-have for me. His ability to create chances, dictate play, and even chip in with goals makes him one of the best fantasy assets. Against Real MadridI expect him to be at the heart of City’s attack.
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Jamal Musiala is another player I really rate. He’s got that flair and unpredictability Bayern Munich needs, and he’s been in good form recently. I back him to make an impact.
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I’ve also included Ousmane Dembele. His pace and dribbling make him dangerous, and in a fixture where PSG should dominate, I can see him delivering assists or even a goal.
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Lastly, I’ve gone for Ademeola Lookman. He’s been consistent for Atalanta, and against Club Brugge, I see him as a potential game-changer. He’s the type of player who can deliver big on his day.
Caveat: Lookman missed the last UCL round injured and is unlikely to start.
Forwards:
Leading the line is Erling Haaland — an easy decision. When he’s fit, he scores, and with De Bruyne back feeding him, I expect him to be at his best, even against Real Madrid, Haaland is the kind of player who can turn a game with just a few chances. His consistent ability to find the net makes him an indispensable choice for captain.
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Kylian Mbappe has built for big Champions League mystique that can produce magic out of nowhere. With Real Madrid playing attacking football, there should be space for him to exploit.
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To complete my attack, I include Serhou Guirassy who has been in great form. His fixture presents an opportunity for solid returns. He’s also a budget-friendly pick, allowing me to strengthen other areas of my squad.
Bench:
We will see only one match’s confirmed lineups before our deadline, so there will be an entire 2nd calendar day, so a strong bench is essential in case of rotation and/or failure. So I’ve included Dayot upamecano and Nuno Mendeswho both offer a good mix of defensive stability and attacking threat even though Upamecano will probably not play and Mendes plays on Tuesday, so he can’t possibly be used as a sub.
Likewise, 3rd-bench Araujo plays Tuesday if at all, so he’s a total waste of both budget and his bench slot. How can I do better?
In other words, I (Destiny) desperately need your help!
Final Thought
I feel good about this team — it has the right mix of proven performers and smart differentials. Now, it’s just about picking the right captain and hoping for some big performances, and assuming that UCL fantasy plays exactly the same rules as FPL fantasy. Let’s see how that goes!
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How many holes must you fill after clubs were eliminated or passed through to March?
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