Uefa chose the best young footballers for the Champions League and Europa League, under the conditions that players are less than 24 years old and have not made a significant footprint in Europe until now. Two young Croatian footballers have made the list!
Yet another big prize for Croatian footballers has arrived! Uefa has chosen their ideal 11 in the Champions League and the Europa League of young players who are just now breaking into the big scene, reports Goal.hr on December 21, 2018.
The criteria stated that the players had to be under the age of 24 and have either debuted this year or only had a minor impact in Europe before, but are making a big leap in the game today.
And the best part? Both the Champions League and Europa League teams include one Croat!
Namely, Nikola Vlašić found himself in the best young team of the Champions League, and Dinamo goalkeeper Dominik Livaković is in the best young Europa League squad.
Vlašić found himself in the company of Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, Barcelona midfielder Arthur, brilliant Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, Ajax defender Matthias de Ligt, and others.
"On the loan from Everton, Vlašić scored three goals and entered two assists in this season's Champions League and soon became a leader for CSKA Moscow,” Uefa writes.
Livaković also thrilled with his group stage performances, which is why he claims a spot on Europa League’s best.
“He debuted in the league at 17 years old and is now he is one of the foundations for Dinamo, who only had one defeat in Europe this season. Livaković kept a clean net in the group stage three times,” says Uefa.
Dinamo’s keeper found himself in the company of Argentinian player Lo Celso from Betis, Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen, attacker Jović from Eintracht, anymore.
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