Champions League Fantasy Football: Forwards
Monday, January 31, 2022
Article summary
Sébastien Haller and Robert Lewandowski are well clear at the top of the ranking, although some other high-profile names are also in the reckoning.
Article top media content
Article body
Forwards come under the radar in the build-up to Matchday 7 as UEFA.com casts an eye on a selection of high-performing assets this season on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.
Sitting top of the ranking among forwards after the group stage is Sébastien Haller (€9.3m), the Ivorian having racked up 63 #UCLfantasy points across six matchdays for the second highest score of any player remaining in the competition. Haller's incredible hot streak in front of goal meant he found the net at least once for Ajax in each of their Group C fixtures, including a four-goal haul against Sporting CP on Matchday 1. Heading into the knockout stage, Haller has ten goals, the most in the competition, and he should again boast a heavy ownership among #UCLfantasy managers as Ajax face Benfica in the round of 16.
At least two of Haller's strike partners at Ajax also represent attractive #UCLfantasy options ahead of Matchday 7. Both Antony (€8.0m) and Steven Berghuis (€8.4m) have delivered attacking returns, the former having accrued two goals, five assists and 41 Fantasy points across his five appearances, whilst Berghuis has three goals, an assist and 31 points. Each represent a cheaper, differential forward option in a position full of premium-priced assets.
A familiar name lurks just behind Haller in both the goalscoring and #UCLfantasy point-scoring charts: Robert Lewandowski (€12.0m). It’s been another excellent UEFA Champions League campaign for the Bayern striker, who has managed at least one attacking return on each matchday so far.
Nine goals, two assists and two Player of the Match awards have helped Lewandowski accumulate 58 points, the third highest total from the remaining players. Unsurprisingly, the Polish superstar remains a coveted option among managers with an ownership percentage of 45% and in the round of 16 faces a Salzburg side who managed just one clean sheet in the group stage.
Another premium forward with a high points ceiling is Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappé (€10.9m), who like Lewandowski recorded an attacking return across all six of his group stage fixtures, gaining four goals and four assists overall. The 23-year-old is among the five highest-scoring #UCLfantasy assets still in contention and has 44 points to his name.
It would also be remiss not to highlight Mbappé's club-mate Lionel Messi (€11.3m). All five of Messi's group stage goals came in Paris's three home fixtures, with the Argentinian accruing 30 Fantasy points over the course of those matches. With Real Madrid travelling to the French capital on Matchday 7, the stage may be set for Messi to star once again against his former arch-rivals.
The European exploits of Cristiano Ronaldo (€11.4m) remain as impressive as ever. At least one goal in each of his Group F appearances helped Manchester United top their group, setting up a round of 16 tie against Spanish champions Atlético de Madrid – opponents the Portuguese forward knows only too well from his time in Spain. Ronaldo comes into Matchday 7 with an ownership over 40%, and it would take a brave #UCLfantasy manager not to include him in their squad.
