Champions League

Top 4 attacking trios so far in the Champions League by goals and assists

The Champions League has returned, the first four last-16 ties have taken place, and some teams have already all-but guaranteed their places in the quarter-finals.

There were 17 goals scored in the four games so far and while some fingers may be pointed at teams’ defences, the attacking ability on show has been phenomenal this season.
Though some teams will experiment with new formations, an attacking front-three still remains one of the most popular set-ups in the Champions League this term.
With the use of wingers, counter-attacking and explosive football on the up again and, with some of Europe’s biggest names involved, the premier club competition has been better off for it.
At the same time, however, some clubs have used their trios more centrally playing two behind a striker, or with an advanced attacking midfielder operating almost as a third attacker.
Below, we have ranked the four best attacking trios left in the Champions League this season by goals and assists, only considering teams who have used a consistent front three – excluding the likes of Barcelona. who have rotated players this season.

1. Manchester City (Sterling, Aguero, Sane)
   
   Combined goals: 8

Combined assists: 3

Running away with the Premier League, Manchester City are having no problems scoring this season – with their attacking trio of Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane giving defences nightmares.
While manager Pep Guardiola often preferred the younger Gabriel Jesus at the start of the season, the Brazilian’s unfortunate injury has given Aguero the chance to demonstrate he’s still in that world-class bracket.
The Argentine has scored four goals in the Champions League so far this season, including one in City’s 4-0 win over Basel in the last-16 first leg, at an average of 0.87 goals per 90 minutes, to add to one assist.
Either side of Aguero, Sterling and Sane use their pace and dribbling skills well to create and exploit gaps among defensive lines. This has left City a devastating proposition on the counter-attack.
Sterling has recorded an impressive four goals in six games at an average of 0.97 per 90 and while Sane is yet to score, the German has created two goals so far at 0.47 per 90.

1. Real Madrid (Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo)
   
   Combined goals: 13

Combined assists: 3

The defending European Champions might have finished second in their group behind Tottenham Hotspur, but thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside Isco and Karim Benzema, they have taken control of their blockbuster clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Playing as a tight front three, as opposed to the winger system Manchester City have used, Isco slots in slightly behind Benzema and Champions League all-time record scorer Ronaldo.
With another two in the first leg against PSG, Ronaldo scored his 10th and 11th goals in this season’s campaign to take his total Champions League tally to 116 for both Real Madrid and Manchester United.
At an average of 1.57 goals per 90, the Portuguese is responsible for 84.6% of the 13 goals from Real Madrid’s attacking trio – with Benzema grabbing the other two in his four appearances.
The three have also recorded one assist each in the Champions League this season.

1. Paris Saint-Germain (Mbappe, Cavani, Neymar)
   
   Combined goals: 16

Combined assists: 7

The early favourites to win the Champions League at the start of the season, Paris Saint-Germain earned their place in the last-16 largely because of the influence of their front three.
Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Neymar were phenomenal in the group stage and also showed signs of their attacking ability in the last-16 first leg against Real Madrid, though the Parisiens left Spain defeated.
Scoring a massive 16 goals as a trio, with Mbappe and Neymar either side using their dribbling ability to beat defenders, Cavani is currently enjoying his best spell as a PSG player.
The Uruguayan has contributed to seven goals in the Champions League so far this season, including six goals at an average of 0.92 per 90, while 2017 Golden Boy Mbappe has four goals and three assists.
Neymar joined the club in the summer hoping to escape the shadow of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and the Brazilian has performed well with six goals (0.82 per 90) and three assists.
However, the trio did momentarily come unstuck at the Santiago Bernabeu and PSG will be relying on the three to continue their quest for European glory.

1. Liverpool (Salah, Firmino, Mane)
   
   Combined goals: 19

Combined assists: 5

Taking the Premier League by storm, Liverpool’s attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have been devastating on the continent, too.
The trio have combined to score 19 goals in the Champions League, with no team scoring more goals than Liverpool’s 28 this season.
Terrifying on the counter-attack, Jurgen Klopp’s side used their pace to destroy Porto’s defence in the last-16 first leg with Mane, Firmino and Salah all scoring in a 5-0 win.
Mane’s hat-trick in Portugal brought the Senegalese winger’s tally to six in the Champions League this season, with an average of 1.28 goals per 90, while Salah has also scored six (0.94).
But Firmino leads the way for the Reds with seven goals at an average of 1.10 per 90 and three assists, despite not being an orthodox striker.
No attacking trio has contributed to more goals than Mane, Firmino and Salah in the Champions League this season and the understanding between the three makes Liverpool one of the most frightening opponents in Europe right now.