The Savant's team reveal

107th out of 1.5 million players. That was my final UCL Fantasy rank last season, and the target now is to go a little better. Preferably seven places better, at least.

For anyone new to my team reveals, here is the full record. There have been a couple of seasons I would happily forget, but three top-1,000 finishes and four inside the top 3,000 give me an elite record to build on.

Last season's finish put me inside the top 0.01% of the field. It also left me close enough to the top 100 to spend the summer thinking about the points that got away.

My opening squad for 2026/27 costs €99.5m, leaving €0.5m in the bank. The idea is to spend aggressively on attacking players, find genuine opportunities among the cheaper defenders and goalkeepers, and give myself a captain I like on all three evenings.

This is my current draft, with the usual final team-news checks still to come. I have not committed to an early Wildcard, and that flexibility matters to several of these selections.

My UCL Fantasy Matchday 1 squad

The spending split is €8.0m in goal, €23.0m in defence, €42.0m in midfield and €26.5m up front. Bayern and Stuttgart supply the maximum three players each. You can compare the full schedule in our UCL Fantasy fixture ticker.

Goalkeepers: two chances for €8.0m

Zion Suzuki (€4.0m)

Suzuki makes an expensive midfield possible without automatically sacrificing a playing goalkeeper. He has started Villa's last two league matches, following the Arsenal game with a clean sheet in the 0–0 draw at Hull. Villa's figures show five saves and one goal conceded across those two appearances. Villa's Suzuki statistics.

Club Brugge away is a reasonable opportunity to collect something before Bredlow plays, although I am not treating it as an easy clean sheet. The particularly useful detail is the kick-off: Villa play in Tuesday's early slot, so I can check Suzuki starts before locking the squad.

If he delivers a score worth keeping, great. If he disappoints, I have another goalkeeper with a home fixture the following day. That is a lot of flexibility for the minimum combined spend.

Fabian Bredlow (€4.0m)

Bredlow's appeal comes from price, opportunity and Viking at home. He has made eight saves in Stuttgart's opening two Bundesliga matches, although six goals conceded across those games make it difficult to sell him on recent defensive form. Bundesliga goalkeeper statistics.

There is a longer-term consideration here. Bredlow is covering for Stuttgart's injured intended first choice, whose recovery could affect the position before October's MD2. That makes him a particularly natural selection if I Wildcard early, and someone I may need to replace if I hold the chip. Stuttgart's goalkeeper injury update.

Stuttgart also play in Wednesday's early slot. I can therefore check Bredlow's line-up before deciding whether to give up Suzuki's points.

Defenders: attacking potential at sensible prices

Daniel Svensson (€4.5m)

Svensson offers an affordable way into Dortmund, with Tuesday points and some attacking threat. He had already supplied a goal and an assist across his first three competitive appearances of the season when UEFA highlighted him among its MD1 differentials. UEFA's differential picks.

His exact position is worth watching. Dortmund's defensive absences can pull him into the back three, which would reduce the attacking freedom that makes a wing-back so attractive. The fitness news is encouraging, though: Niko Kovač confirmed on Monday that Svensson was healthy after a planned recovery session. Dortmund's pre-match update.

For €4.5m, I like the combination of potential attacking returns, recoveries and a fixture run that includes Sabah before MD4. A deeper role would temper my expectations rather than automatically end my interest.

Achraf Hakimi (€6.0m)

Hakimi is where I am prepared to pay extra in defence. Last season's Champions League brought one goal, six assists, four Fantasy clean sheets and 43 recoveries, contributing to 65 Fantasy points. Those are several routes to a return from the same slot. Champions League Fantasy player statistics.

At home to Slovan Bratislava, I want a defender who can benefit if PSG spend the evening attacking. His forward runs and delivery offer something beyond hoping the opposition fail to score.

The next fixtures are less comfortable: Manchester City away and Barcelona at home. Hakimi is therefore one of my clearest MD1 selections, but I will reassess the price of holding him once the opening round is over.

Iván Fresneda (€4.0m)

Fresneda provides the cheap defensive depth this squad needs. UEFA's budget guide highlighted that he had started Sporting's previous two league matches, giving the selection a stronger foundation than simply buying the cheapest name available. UEFA's budget-player guide.

Last season he registered 51 recoveries in 920 Champions League minutes, approximately five per 90, and finished with 39 Fantasy points. Recoveries earn a point for every three in an individual match, so that involvement matters even when the clean sheet goes. Fresneda's Champions League Fantasy record.

Galatasaray have enough attacking quality to make me cautious about the clean sheet. What I want is a €4.0m starter who can contribute points and leave money available for the attack.

Sporting then face Lens away, LASK at home and Shakhtar away. That sequence makes Fresneda useful if I decide to keep the squad together. He does not need to match the premium defenders every week to justify the money he releases elsewhere.

Maximilian Mittelstädt (€4.5m)

Mittelstädt has one of the more interesting combinations in the squad: an attacking left-back, a home match against Viking and potential penalty responsibility. He took four Bundesliga penalties last season and supplied an assist in Friday's win over Köln. Bundesliga penalty statistics; Stuttgart's Köln report.

Our player profile has him at just 2% ownership on 7 September. There is plenty to like before considering how few managers own him. Mittelstädt's UCL Fantasy profile.

That penalty angle is substantial for a defender, with six points available for a goal. I am treating the duty as likely rather than guaranteed, but it adds another reason to take him seriously at this price.

Doubling up with Bredlow increases my exposure to a Stuttgart clean sheet. Mittelstädt's attacking role helps justify that decision: he has ways to return even if they concede. Slovan Bratislava away in MD2 gives me another reason to consider keeping him.

Nathaniel Brown (€4.0m)

Brown is the gamble that helps fund the attack. A Bayern defender at €4.0m would attract attention on its own; one being used in attacking midfield is more interesting still.

He arrives with evidence of attacking quality: four goals and four assists in the Bundesliga for Frankfurt last season, plus two Champions League assists. He also started all eight of Frankfurt's league-phase matches. Frankfurt's review of Brown's season.

He started in the central attacking-midfield position at Schalke on Saturday, with another player at left-back. The catch is equally clear: he came off at half-time. That is a reminder that an advanced role does not guarantee either a long appearance or the 60 minutes needed for defensive clean-sheet points. Bayern's Schalke match report.

Bodø/Glimt at home and Viking away are appealing opening fixtures, but Brown has to win his minutes. I like the potential reward at this price; he is also one of the first selections I will revisit if the predicted team or final pre-match news turns against him.

Midfielders: where most of the budget goes

Fermín López (€7.0m)

Fermín is making a persuasive case for being much more than the affordable part of a Barcelona double-up. He has four goals in the first four La Liga matches and contributed a goal and two assists in Sunday's 5–0 win at Valencia. Barcelona's Valencia match report.

The European evidence is encouraging too. He scored six times in last season's Champions League, jointly leading Barcelona's scoring, across 801 minutes. His runs into scoring positions have already translated to this competition. Barcelona's 2025/26 Champions League review. He finished with 71 Fantasy points, an impressive return for a player now available at €7.0m. Fermín's Fantasy record.

At €7.0m, I am buying a midfielder who regularly threatens the goal rather than merely keeping the ball moving. Five points per goal make that distinction valuable. Feyenoord at home is an attractive place to start, although Barcelona's attacking depth means I will still respect the possibility of rotation.

Raphinha (€9.5m)

Raphinha is my more straightforward Wednesday captaincy option. Six goals in four La Liga games is an excellent start, and Barcelona have scored 17 times across those matches. He scored again at Valencia, finishing Fermín's low cross. Barcelona's latest match report.

His three Champions League goals last season were below the heights of his 13-goal 2024/25 campaign. I am backing his outstanding current form and his demonstrated ability to produce huge European returns. Barcelona's 2025/26 scoring review; UEFA's 2024/25 top scorers.

I like pairing him with Fermín because both can finish attacks and combine with each other. If Dortmund do not settle the captaincy question on Tuesday, Raphinha is a very appealing next opportunity.

Bruno Fernandes (€9.0m)

Bruno gives me a Thursday captain with a different route to points from Kane. His last Premier League season produced nine goals, a record 21 assists and 136 chances created. That creative total included 38 chances from set pieces. The Premier League's 2025/26 statistical review.

His attacking role under Michael Carrick is another part of the appeal. Playing as the No 10 in a 4-2-3-1 places him closer to the positions where those passes and shots become Fantasy returns. The Premier League's analysis of Bruno's role.

Sabah at Old Trafford is the fixture I want to target. With five points per goal and three per assist, he can build a captain-worthy score through finishing, creating or both. Atlético away in MD2 is a different proposition, so Bruno is also an obvious review point if I decide against the early Wildcard.

Désiré Doué (€8.5m)

Doué gives the midfield a less popular route into an elite attack. Last season he delivered nine Champions League goal involvements, two Player of the Match awards and 74 Fantasy points. UEFA's early-September differential feature listed him at 5% ownership. UEFA's Doué assessment.

He has started PSG's opening three league matches without a goal or assist, so this is a bet on his role and Slovan Bratislava at home, with last season showing what he can deliver. Doué's current league statistics.

The Player of the Match route is especially welcome: that award adds three Fantasy points to an already strong performance. At that ownership level, a decisive evening could have a significant impact. The City and Barcelona fixtures afterwards mean I am keeping an open mind about how long he stays.

Luis Díaz (€8.0m)

Díaz is one of my favourite pieces of this squad. His first Bayern season brought 15 goals and 14 assists in the Bundesliga, plus seven goals and three assists in the Champions League. That is a substantial body of attacking output for €8.0m. The Bundesliga's Díaz season review.

There is also a helpful Fantasy change. Díaz was classified as a forward last season and is a midfielder now. Goals are therefore worth five points rather than four, with a possible clean-sheet point on top. UEFA's 2025/26 forward guide.

He started and scored in Bayern's 5–1 league opener against Stuttgart. With Bodø/Glimt visiting first and Viking away next, I like doubling up on Bayern's attack while retaining a forward slot for Undav. Bayern's opening league match report.

Forwards: a captaincy option every day

Serhou Guirassy (€8.5m)

Guirassy gets the armband on Tuesday. He has begun the Bundesliga season with two goals and an assist in two games, including a goal and an assist in Dortmund's comeback win at Hoffenheim. The Bundesliga's Hoffenheim report.

He supplied seven attacking returns in last season's Champions League, having scored 13 times in 2024/25. At €2.5m less than the most expensive forwards, that European pedigree is attractive. UEFA's forward guide.

There is relevant opponent history too: he scored twice in Dortmund's 4–0 home win over Villarreal last November. Villarreal played part of that match with ten men, so I will happily take the encouragement without expecting a repeat scoreline. Dortmund's Villarreal preview.

My case rests on his open-play threat and current form. He stepped back from penalties last season, so I am not adding assumed spot-kick points to the argument. Dortmund's penalty-duty update.

At 7% ownership on our site on 7 September, Guirassy also gives me a captain who could separate my score from plenty of other teams. That is a bonus to the football case. Guirassy's UCL Fantasy profile.

Deniz Undav (€7.0m)

Undav is the pick that might tempt me into something bolder on Wednesday. He finished last season with 19 goals and six assists in 29 Bundesliga appearances, and his 121 shots led the league. That is convincing attacking substance at €7.0m. The Bundesliga's Undav profile; 2025/26 shooting statistics.

Viking at home followed by Slovan Bratislava away is a very appealing opening pair. Stuttgart's fixtures then become considerably tougher, which suits the flexibility I want around the Wildcard.

His fitness needs watching. Undav has not scored in the opening two league games, and Sebastian Hoeneß acknowledged an Achilles problem after the win over Köln. That does not confirm he will miss MD1, but it makes positive team news a condition of both my selection and any captaincy gamble. SWR's report on Undav's Achilles issue.

If he is fit and starting, I might back him over Raphinha depending on how lucky I am feeling. If the fitness doubt persists before Tuesday's squad deadline, I will need to reconsider the pick itself.

Harry Kane (€11.0m)

Kane is the premium forward I want waiting on Thursday. Last season he scored 36 Bundesliga goals and 14 in the Champions League. His European campaign also included two assists, and he finished with 103 UCL Fantasy points. Kane's 2025/26 numbers; UEFA's Fantasy team of the season.

His penalty duties strengthen an already exceptional scoring profile. He converted ten of his 11 Bundesliga penalties last season. Kane's Bundesliga statistics.

He has yet to score in the league this season and began Saturday's Schalke match on the bench before coming on. I am buying his established quality and the opening European fixtures, while keeping an eye on Bayern's management of his minutes.

Bodø/Glimt at home gives him a strong MD1 opportunity. Viking away follows, so there is plenty of reason to keep him if I roll with this squad beyond the first round.

My captaincy plan: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

This is a sequence of options. If Guirassy delivers a score I am happy to bank, I do not have to change anything. If I move the armband, I give up the previous player's double-points bonus and cannot switch back after he has played.

There is a useful advantage on Wednesday: Barcelona and Stuttgart are both in the early games, so I can see the relevant line-ups before choosing between Raphinha and Undav. Thursday is different. Bayern and United play later than that day's first matches, so their starting line-ups will not normally be available before the captain-change deadline.

All three days begin at 17:45 BST. I will make any changes before that day's first kick-off. See the official match schedule and captaincy rules.

Making the bench work

With four Thursday outfield players, I cannot put all of them on the three outfield bench places. One practical setup is to start Brown alongside the earlier players, leaving Kane, Bruno and Díaz ready to replace disappointing scores, with Bredlow as the reserve goalkeeper.

That gives the Tuesday and Wednesday players their chance while preserving three strong attacking options for Thursday. I will still need to maintain a legal formation when making changes. Brown's late playing day also means there is no later opportunity to replace him if he disappoints, making his expected minutes particularly important before the initial deadline.

My chip strategy: keep the Wildcard flexible

I am not 100% set on the chips yet. My two main routes are Wildcard in MD2, or keep this squad going with transfers and look at MD4 or MD5. Limitless in MD8 is the idea I currently like most for the other chip.

Why I could Wildcard in MD2

This draft attacks several standout opening fixtures. PSG host Slovan Bratislava, United host Sabah and Stuttgart host Viking. There is a clear opportunity to start strongly.

Some of that appeal changes immediately afterwards. PSG visit Manchester City and United travel to Atlético. Add the possibility of a goalkeeper change at Stuttgart, uncertainty over Brown's role or any new injuries, and a Wildcard could become the cleanest way to redirect the budget.

There is also more than a month between MD1 and MD2. I would rather assess the actual picture in October than pretend today's assumptions will all survive until then.

Why I might hold it until MD4 or MD5

There is enough continuation value here to avoid making the MD2 Wildcard automatic. Bayern visit Viking in MD2, Stuttgart visit Slovan Bratislava, and Dortmund face Bodø/Glimt away followed by Sabah away. Villa also have home games against Fenerbahçe and Viking in MD2 and MD3. Compare the early fixture runs.

If the cheaper players keep their places and the attack performs, I may only need to address a couple of awkward fixtures. Using transfers to move on one or two players could preserve a valuable chip.

The warning is that several fixtures harden before MD4: Bayern meet Arsenal in MD3, PSG play Barcelona and Stuttgart face Atlético. Holding the Wildcard therefore requires some active planning through that round.

MD5 has its own appeal as a potential reset. Dortmund travel to Arsenal, Stuttgart visit Inter and Barcelona visit Sabah. That could be a useful moment to shift the balance towards the next run of opportunities. The Dortmund schedule and Stuttgart schedule show why I want to keep both dates open.

Why Limitless in MD8 interests me

The final league-phase round includes Arsenal against Sabah, Dortmund against AEK Athens and Napoli against Viking. Barcelona host Como, while Inter visit Slovan Bratislava. That gives me several matches in which I could want an expensive attacking combination for one evening. The MD8 fixture list.

All 18 games kick off together, so I can see every starting line-up before committing. By January, qualification positions and rotation will matter enormously. Being able to spend without a budget limit on confirmed starters is a big attraction.

The trade-off is that there is no second captaincy attempt or opportunity to rescue poor scores with manual substitutions that night. Limitless also returns me to my previous squad afterwards, although the unlimited transfer window before the knockout play-offs makes that reversion less restrictive here. Our Wildcard and Limitless guide explains how the two chips work.

For now, the plan is to give this squad the best possible start, make the captaincy opportunities count and let the performances and team news determine the next move. Guirassy gets the first chance. Over to him.

Team news checked on 7 September 2026. Final selections may change before the deadline.