Since my post about a combined Barça and Bayern XI led to so much debate, I thought I’d go through my selection process one position at a time... (THREAD).

Goalkeeper.

ter-Stegen vs Neuer.

With no disrespect to Neuer, this one isn’t even close anymore. MATS is well and clear at the top of the goalkeeping hierarchy in my opinion. A 2015 Neuer would have changed my decision. We’re in 2020 now. Simple.

GK - MATS.

Right Back.

Semedo vs Kimmich.

Again, not really a close one. It’s no surprise to anybody that RB is a position we’ve struggled with for a while, and despite Semedo’s best efforts, he’s not pushing Kimmich out of this team. Again, simple.

RB - Kimmich.

Centre Back.

Piqué vs Boateng.

To be quite honest, I was shocked to discover that Boateng is still starting for Bayern. The Messi disco in 2015 probably still haunts him. I’m not sure who would pick him over Gerard Piqué. I certainly wouldn’t.

CB - Piqué.

Centre Back.

Lenglet vs Alaba.

Lenglet has again been fantastic this season. Always goes unnoticed, but the guy is a top, top defender. A makeshift 5’11 CB isn’t going to be enough to shift him out of the team. Again another straightforward choice.

CB - Lenglet.

Left Back.

Alba vs Davies.

If this question was asked last year, Alba would be in with no hesitation. However, there has been a clear decline this season and the physical attributes of Davies alone would probably be enough to push him out of the team.

LB - Davies.

Central Midfield.

Busquets vs Goretzka.

Bayern dont play with a lone DM the way we do but whoever it was being compared to Busquets, the outcome would be the same. He gets into the team. Simple. The same way he’d moonwalk into Bayern’s actual midfield.

CM - Busquets.

Central Midfield.

de Jong vs Müller.

Understandably, Müller doesn’t play as a CM. However, if you’re simply choosing who you’d rather have in your team, the answer is clear. Frenkie is world-class at 23. One of the first names on the team sheet.

CM - de Jong.

Central Midfield.

Rakitic vs Thiago.

Again, this ones pretty easy. Thiago is an elite, pearl of a midfielder. He gets into most teams. Whether it’s Rakitic or Vidal, Thiago gets in. A jewel from La Masia.

CM - Thiago.

Forward.

Messi vs Gnabry.

There’s nothing to say.

FW - Messi.

Forward.

Suárez vs Lewandowski.

Based on careers and legacy, Suarez is so clear. A prime Suarez is incomparable to a prime Lewa. Different levels. However this isn’t prime Suarez and so as a result he loses out. Lewandowski is in the form of his life.

FW - Lewandowski.

Forward.

Griezmann vs Perisic.

Again, a strange comparison but no matter who you compare to him, Griezmann comes out on top. Neither Coman or Coutinho are better players. Griezmann gets into this team the same way Dembélé or Ansu would. Easy.

FW - Griezmann.

MATS - Kimmich - Piqué - Lenglet - Davies - Busquets - de Jong - Thiago - Messi - Griezmann - Lewandowski.

4 Bayern players.
7 Barcelona players.

Hope this helps.