Chelsea & Bayern Munich Combined Starting XI of the Champions League Era

​Chelsea and Bayern Munich are two of the great European powerhouses of the Champions League era.

Reigniting the rivalry of the 2012 Champions League final, these two heavyweights are set to clash once again as Europe's most prestigious competition gets back in full swing, with the pair boasting five 21st century European trophies between them (excluding the UEFA Super Cup).

Both the Blues and Die Roten find themselves in transitional periods under Frank Lampard and Hansi Flick respectively, but the two teams have seen a dazzling array of superstars grace their football clubs over the years.

With the round of 16 clash looming large, here's a greatest combined starting XI of these two forces in the Champions League era. 

Without further ado, let's get stuck in.


Goalkeeper & Defenders

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Manuel Neuer (GK) - Battling with Oliver Kahn and Petr Cech for the number one jersey in our team, ​Neuer gets the nod between the sticks. The shot-stopper changed what it meant to be a goalkeeper since his move to the Allianz Arena, and he has kept a staggering 187 clean sheets for Bayern in 369 appearances, as well as helping Die Roten lift the Champions League trophy in 2013.

Philipp Lahm (RB) - The 2014 World Cup winner is arguably the greatest captain ​Bayern have ever had (and that's saying something), and guided the Bavarians through one of the most unrelenting and successful periods in their esteemed history. Just as comfortable in midfield, Lahm was one of the great full backs of the modern era.

John Terry (CB) - Now time for the greatest Chelsea club captain ever. Authoritative, intelligent and utterly impenetrable, Terry is arguably the best defender the Blues have had in any era, with his never-say-die, body-on-the-line attitude enough to send shivers down the spine of even the world's greatest attackers. He famously missed a penalty in the 2008 final but got some redemption with the 2012 triumph - though he missed that final through suspension.

Lucio (CB) - The Brazilian's trophy cabinet speaks for itself, with Lucio enjoying great success at Bayern and Inter, as well as internationally for Brazil. The stopper played for Die Roten for five years, helping the German outfit to three ​Bundesliga titles, adding to his World Cup, and preceding his later Champions League triumph with the Nerazzurri. Simply put, the centre-back was an absolute tank and popped up with some important goals too.

Ashley Cole (LB) - Possibly England's best ever left-back, Cole was a staple of ​Chelsea's dominance during the first successes of the Roman Abramovich era, possessing the perfect blend of attacking threat and defensive stability. The full-back made 565 appearances across London for the Blues and Arsenal, writing his name firmly into English football folklore with his vast and uncompromising trophy collection. Like Terry, he actually missed the 2012 final but still makes the cut ahead of Bayern legends David Alaba and Bixente Lizarazu.


Midfielders

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Arjen Robben (RM) - The only player to make this list having played for both sides is the flying Dutchman. Having made his name at Stamford Bridge - where he won two Premier League titles - Robben left for ​Real Madrid, before later finding his best form in Bavaria. Making 309 appearances for Bayern, scoring 144 goals and registering 101 assists, Robben's wand-like left foot made him one of the most breathtaking widemen in recent history. He scored the winner in the 2013 Champions League final.

Frank Lampard (CM) - Now enjoying legendary Stamford Bridge status on the sidelines rather than the pitch, Lampard re-defined what it meant to be a goalscoring central-midfielder. Often making lethal late darts in to the box, the current Blues boss racked up 210 goals and 150 assists in 648 games at the club, and fends off some big names (such as Steffan Effenberg) for a starting berth in our side.

Lothar Matthaus (CM) - While a large portion of Matthaus' success came before the Champions League era, the German enforcer still graced the Bayern turf up until 2000. The Balon d'Or-winning midfielder is one of Bayern's greatest ever talents, and helped the club to seven Bundesliga titles, as well as guiding Germany to a World Cup trophy. Perhaps one of the greatest players to have never actually won the ​Champions League since the competition's re-brand, however.

Mehmet Scholl (LM) - Despite being primarily used centrally as an attacking midfielder, Scholl was just as prolific in wide positions and has to be considered amongst Bayern's greatest players of the modern era. 15 years of service saw him achieve legendary status in Munich, winning eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League back in 2001. The German managed a sensational 117 goals and 105 assists during his 469-game spell with Die Roten.


Forwards

Chelsea's Ivorian striker Didier Drogba

​Didier Drogba (ST) - Chelsea's best striker of the Champions League era is well worthy of a place in this team, spearheading a formidable Blues side throughout his illustrious stint in England. 164 Chelsea goals - including the late equaliser in the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern - says enough really, with the Ivorian forward's pace, power and proficiency unrivalled by most 21st century strikers.

Robert Lewandowski (ST) - Fighting against the ageing process, the 31-year-old striker has netted a simply astounding 38 goals this season for Bayern already. Lewandowski is in the form of his life, and a partnership with Drogba in his prime would be quite fearsome.


Source : 90min