Tentu, ini draf artikel berbahasa Inggris tentang pemain-pemain underrated di UCL musim ini, dengan target sekitar 1200 kata.
The Unsung Architects: Unearthing the Underrated Stars of the 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, football’s most prestigious club competition, is a stage traditionally reserved for the game’s brightest stars. From Kylian Mbappé’s electrifying sprints to Jude Bellingham’s midfield mastery and Harry Kane’s relentless goal-scoring, the headlines inevitably gravitate towards the household names, the multi-million-euro maestros who deliver moments of breathtaking brilliance. Their highlight reels are replayed endlessly, their statistics dissected, and their every move scrutinized by millions.
Yet, beneath the dazzling spotlight on these titans, the Champions League narrative is often shaped by a different breed of hero: the unsung architects, the quiet workhorses, the tactical linchpins whose consistent, high-impact performances go largely unnoticed by the casual observer. These are the players who may not command the same astronomical transfer fees or dominate social media feeds, but without whom their teams’ successes – whether reaching the knockout stages, pulling off an upset, or even making a deep run – would simply not be possible.
The 2023-2024 Champions League season has been no exception, offering a rich tapestry of compelling stories and unexpected twists. While the focus has largely remained on the established giants and their marquee players, a closer look reveals a cohort of individuals who have profoundly influenced their teams’ journeys, often operating in the shadows of more illustrious teammates. These are the truly "underrated" players: those who consistently perform at an elite level, embodying the spirit of their teams, yet somehow remain outside the mainstream media’s glowing praise.
This article delves into the performances of several such individuals who, in the crucible of Europe’s elite competition, have proven their immense worth, showcasing tactical intelligence, relentless work ethic, and moments of decisive quality. Their contributions are a testament to the fact that football, at its heart, remains a team sport, where collective effort and individual brilliance, even if quietly delivered, combine to forge greatness.
Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen) – The Resurgent Midfield Maestro
When Granit Xhaka departed Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen last summer, many viewed it as a sensible move for a player looking for a new challenge, perhaps a slight step down from the Premier League’s intensity. What few anticipated was the complete metamorphosis he would undergo under Xabi Alonso’s tutelage, becoming the bedrock of a Leverkusen side that has taken European football by storm. While their Champions League journey ended in the group stage last season (before Xhaka joined), his impact in the Europa League this season and his consistent high-level play in the Bundesliga illustrate exactly the kind of underrated general he is. His control, passing range, and tactical discipline are the very reasons Leverkusen became a force to be reckoned with.
Xhaka’s role at Leverkusen is pivotal. He operates as the deep-lying playmaker, dictating the tempo, orchestrating attacks with his precise passing, and providing a crucial shield for the defense. His ability to switch play, break lines with incisive through balls, and maintain possession under pressure is exemplary. What often goes unnoticed is his tireless work rate off the ball – the pressing, the interceptions, and the constant communication that organizes his teammates. He has brought a new level of maturity and leadership to the Leverkusen midfield, transforming it into a cohesive and dominant unit. While Leverkusen didn’t play in the Champions League this season, his consistent European performances (in the Europa League) and his overall transformative impact on a top European club make him a prime example of an underrated leader whose quality has been consistently demonstrated. His ability to perform under the highest pressure, calmly distributing the ball and winning crucial duels, makes him an indispensable figure.
Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund) – The Loan Ranger Who Roared
When Borussia Dortmund secured Ian Maatsen on loan from Chelsea in January, it was seen as a shrewd piece of business, but few expected the immediate and profound impact the young Dutch left-back would have on their Champions League campaign. Maatsen quickly established himself as an indispensable figure in Edin Terzic’s side, playing a crucial role in their surprising run to the final.
What makes Maatsen so underrated is his seamless adaptation to Dortmund’s system and the high demands of Champions League football. He combines defensive solidity with an impressive attacking impetus, often overlapping to provide width and delivering dangerous crosses. His dribbling ability allows him to carry the ball out of tight situations, and his decision-making under pressure is remarkably mature for his age. Beyond the tangible contributions like his crucial goal against Atlético Madrid in the quarter-finals, it’s his relentless energy, tactical awareness, and willingness to engage in one-on-one duels that have made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for opposing wingers. He brought balance and dynamism to Dortmund’s left flank, often overshadowed by the likes of Jadon Sancho or Julian Brandt, but equally vital to their success. His consistency, especially for a player arriving mid-season, highlights his exceptional quality and mental fortitude.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan) – The Rediscovered Engine
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s career has been a rollercoaster of immense potential often hampered by injuries. His move from Chelsea to AC Milan last summer was seen as a fresh start, and in the Champions League, he truly found his stride, emerging as one of Milan’s most consistent and impactful players. While Milan’s Champions League journey ended in the group stage, Loftus-Cheek’s performances were a standout.
Operating as a powerful box-to-box midfielder, Loftus-Cheek brought a unique blend of physicality, technical skill, and goal threat to Milan’s midfield. His ability to drive through the lines with powerful runs, shrug off challenges, and create space for teammates was a constant menace to opposing defenses. He also demonstrated a knack for arriving late in the box to score crucial goals, adding a much-needed offensive dimension. What makes him underrated is that despite his impressive displays, the spotlight often fell on Rafael Leão’s flair or Olivier Giroud’s veteran presence. However, it was Loftus-Cheek’s relentless energy, defensive contributions, and consistent attacking drive that formed the engine room of Milan’s Champions League efforts. His ability to dominate the midfield physically while also contributing creatively showcased a player finally fulfilling his immense potential on Europe’s biggest stage.
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) – The Quiet Orchestrator
In a team brimming with attacking superstars like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Achraf Hakimi, it’s easy for a central midfielder to fade into the background. Yet, Vitinha has been the quiet, yet utterly essential, orchestrator in Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield this Champions League season. While the attackers grab the headlines, Vitinha is the one providing the crucial link-up play, maintaining possession, and winning back the ball.
Vitinha’s brilliance lies in his understated efficiency and tactical intelligence. He possesses exceptional press resistance, allowing him to glide past opponents and retain possession in tight spaces. His passing accuracy is consistently high, and he rarely gives the ball away, providing a crucial calming presence in the heart of the midfield. Beyond his technical prowess, his work rate off the ball is immense; he tirelessly presses opponents, cuts passing lanes, and contributes significantly to PSG’s defensive stability. He may not score many goals or provide a flurry of assists, but his ability to control the tempo, recycle possession, and provide the platform for PSG’s attacking fireworks makes him an indispensable, albeit often overlooked, component of Luis Enrique’s system. He is the glue that holds PSG’s star-studded team together, ensuring balance and fluidity.
Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) – The Basque Bulwark
Real Sociedad were one of the surprise packages of the Champions League group stage, topping their group ahead of Inter Milan and reaching the Round of 16. At the heart of their impressive campaign was Martin Zubimendi, the defensive midfielder whose intelligence, positioning, and ball-winning abilities provided the foundation for their success.
Zubimendi operates as the quintessential pivot, shielding the defense with remarkable effectiveness. His reading of the game is exceptional, allowing him to anticipate danger, make crucial interceptions, and break up opposition attacks with uncanny precision. What sets him apart is not just his defensive solidity but also his composure and passing range. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, turning away from markers, and initiating attacks with crisp, accurate passes. While Mikel Merino and Brais Méndez often took credit for Sociedad’s attacking thrust, it was Zubimendi’s quiet brilliance in anchoring the midfield that allowed them the freedom to operate. He consistently put in commanding performances against top European opposition, yet his name rarely featured in post-match analyses, a true testament to his underrated status as one of Europe’s finest defensive midfielders.
Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven) – The Visionary Creator
PSV Eindhoven enjoyed a memorable Champions League campaign, navigating a tough group to reach the knockout stages. Central to their attacking flair and creative output was Joey Veerman, the Dutch midfielder whose vision, passing range, and set-piece delivery made him a constant threat.
Veerman is a technically gifted midfielder who excels in the role of a deep-lying playmaker or a more advanced central midfielder. His ability to spot a pass that others wouldn’t, whether it’s a perfectly weighted through ball or a diagonal switch of play, is truly exceptional. He dictates PSV’s attacking rhythm, spraying passes across the pitch and unlocking defenses with his incisive distribution. Beyond his passing, his set-piece delivery is a major weapon, consistently creating goal-scoring opportunities from corners and free-kicks. While Luuk de Jong often converted the chances, it was Veerman who was often the architect behind them. His consistent high-level performances, often overshadowed by the goal-scorers or more direct attackers, underscore his value as a pure footballing talent who brings creativity and control to every game he plays.
Conclusion: The True Fabric of Champions
The 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League season has once again reaffirmed that while individual brilliance often captures the imagination, the true strength of a team lies in the collective. The players highlighted above – Granit Xhaka, Ian Maatsen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Vitinha, Martin Zubimendi, and Joey Veerman – represent the very essence of what it means to be underrated. They are not always the ones gracing the covers of magazines or being discussed in the same breath as Ballon d’Or contenders, but their consistent contributions, tactical discipline, and moments of quiet brilliance have been absolutely instrumental in their respective teams’ Champions League journeys.
Their performances serve as a powerful reminder that success in elite football is built on a foundation of diverse talents and roles. For every dazzling dribble or thunderous shot, there is often a perfectly timed tackle, a crucial interception, a precise pass that unlocked a defense, or an endless shift of tireless running that went unnoticed by many. These unsung heroes are the backbone, the glue, and often the secret weapon of their teams.
As the curtains draw on another thrilling Champions League season, let us celebrate not just the superstars who lit up the stage, but also these silent architects. They embody the spirit of teamwork, resilience, and quiet excellence that truly defines the beautiful game, proving that sometimes, the most valuable contributions are those that don’t always demand the loudest applause, but are felt most profoundly on the pitch. Their impact ensures that the Champions League remains not just a showcase for the known, but also a fertile ground for the discovery of the truly exceptional.
