Everyone obsesses over open-play expected goals. Fewer managers think about set pieces — and that’s precisely where the edge lies. In knockout football, when defences are organised and spaces are tight, a well-delivered corner or free kick can be the difference between a blank and a double-digit haul.
Across the 2025/26 Champions League league phase, set pieces accounted for roughly 15–20% of all goals. Some clubs thrived from dead balls; others were barren. Ahead of MD12, The Savant panel has mapped every set piece taker and aerial threat across the 16 remaining sides to help you squeeze out every last point.
GK/DEF goal = 6 pts · MID goal = 5 pts · FWD goal = 4 pts
Assist = 3 pts · GK/DEF clean sheet = 4 pts · MID clean sheet = 1 pt
Only 2 chips: Wildcard and Limitless. No Bench Boost, Free Hit, or Triple Captain.
Tier 1 — The Set Piece Powerhouses
Arsenal (vs Leverkusen · Emirates · 1-1 agg)
Arsenal are the undisputed kings of dead balls this season. They have scored 19 goals from corners in all competitions — a staggering figure that has left even rival managers shaking their heads. Declan Rice is their primary corner taker, responsible for over 53% of Arsenal’s corners this campaign. Bukayo Saka shares duties from the opposite side, and Eberechi Eze has been involved in the rotation with Martin Ødegaard’s fitness uncertain.
The header threats at the end of those deliveries are equally important: Gabriel is one of the most prolific centre-back goal scorers in European football, while Kai Havertz and William Saliba both attack corners aggressively. With a level aggregate (1-1), Arsenal will push hard at the Emirates. Expect corners galore.
The Savant’s pick: Rice (MID) is the standout — he can earn assists from corners and free kicks while still picking up midfield clean sheet points (1 pt). Gabriel (DEF, 6 pts for a goal) is the aerial differential.
Bayern Munich (vs Atalanta · Allianz Arena · 6-1 agg)
Joshua Kimmich has taken 36 free kicks in the Champions League this season — the joint-highest among remaining R16 sides. He delivers from both flanks and is on most direct free kicks in shooting positions. Michael Olise alternates on some dead-ball situations, particularly from the left.
With a 6-1 aggregate lead, Bayern will likely rotate, but Kimmich typically starts regardless. The real question is whether the aerial targets — Harry Kane, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae — will be risked. If they play, corners could be a production line.
PSG (vs Chelsea · Away at Stamford Bridge · 5-2 agg)
Vitinha leads the entire Champions League with a remarkable 57 free kicks taken this season. He’s involved in virtually every dead ball for Paris — corners from the right, free kicks from central and wide positions. João Neves occasionally shares duties (16 taken). PSG have recorded 3 set-piece goals in the UCL this campaign.
With a comfortable 5-2 lead, PSG can afford to play with freedom at Stamford Bridge. Vitinha is a genuine points magnet from dead balls alone.
Tier 2 — Reliable Dead-Ball Operators
Barcelona (vs Newcastle · Camp Nou · 1-1 agg)
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal split set piece duties for Barcelona. Raphinha takes the majority of free kicks and left-side corners, while Yamal works the right. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are also involved in the rotation. The header threats from corners are substantial — Ronald Araújo, Pau Cubarís and Robert Lewandowski are all dominant in the air.
Barcelona managed 2 set-piece goals in the UCL league phase. With the aggregate level at 1-1, Camp Nou will generate intensity and high corner counts.
Newcastle (vs Barcelona · Away at Camp Nou · 1-1 agg)
Sandro Tonali has taken 36 free kicks in the Champions League — matching Kimmich as the most prolific among R16 outfield players. He delivers corners and free kicks with excellent quality. 2 set-piece goals in the UCL for Newcastle so far.
The aerial target here is Dan Burn at the back post — always a threat from set plays. Newcastle managed a 1-1 draw in the first leg, so they’ll be organised and dangerous from dead balls at the Camp Nou.
Chelsea (vs PSG · Stamford Bridge · trailing 2-5 agg)
Reece James (20 FKs taken) and Moisés Caicedo (17 taken) share set piece responsibilities. Chelsea have scored 3 set-piece goals in the UCL this season — tied with PSG for the most among the R16 sides tracked.
Trailing 5-2 on aggregate, Chelsea need a miracle at Stamford Bridge. That desperation could mean an avalanche of corners as they throw everything forward. The aerial threat from Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Nicolas Jackson is genuine. If you’re punting on a Chelsea comeback, their set piece prowess is the main route in.
Tottenham (vs Atletico · Spurs Stadium · trailing 2-5 agg)
Pedro Porro (25 FKs taken) is Spurs’ primary set piece taker — corners from the right and free kicks in wide positions. Cristian Romero (15 FKs taken as a central defender) and Guglielmo Vicario also feature in the data, though the latter is obviously goal kicks.
Like Chelsea, Spurs trail 5-2 and need goals. Romero himself is a genuine aerial threat in the opposition box, as is Micky van de Ven. The problem? Atlético are one of the best defensive set piece sides in Europe. It’s a tough matchup.
Tier 3 — Don’t Expect Much From Dead Balls
Liverpool (vs Galatasaray · Anfield · trailing 0-1 agg)
Dominik Szoboszlai (21 FKs taken) shares duties from dead balls. Virgil van Dijk is a colossal header threat and the obvious aerial target. The issue is that neither Galatasaray (0 set-piece goals) nor Liverpool have been prolific from dead balls in this competition.
That said, Anfield in a must-win second leg could see Liverpool rack up corners. Van Dijk heading in a Szoboszlai corner is entirely plausible.
Man City (vs Real Madrid · Etihad · trailing 0-3 agg)
Bernardo Silva (16 FKs taken) handles most of City’s dead-ball duties. They have scored just 1 set-piece goal in the entire UCL campaign despite finishing in the top eight on total goals. Real Madrid are even worse — 0 set-piece goals all season in Europe, despite Aurélien Tchouaméni (20 taken), Arda Güler (17 taken) and a returning Kylian Mbappé being on various duties.
This tie is an open-play battle. Don’t expect set pieces to decide it.
Sporting CP (vs Bodø/Glimt · José Alvalade · trailing 0-3 agg)
Morten Hjulmand (34 FKs taken) is Sporting’s dead-ball specialist. Sporting managed 2 set-piece goals in the league phase. On the other side, Patrick Berg of Bodø/Glimt has taken a remarkable 51 free kicks — the second-most in the entire competition. Bodø also have 2 set-piece goals.
Both sides have set piece quality but with Bodø leading 3-0, this is a dead rubber unless Sporting produce a miraculous comeback.
The Savant’s Set Piece XI for MD12
Must-have: Declan Rice (Arsenal) — corners, free kicks, MID CS points
Premium: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern), Vitinha (PSG), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
Aerial threats: Gabriel (Arsenal), Van Dijk (Liverpool), Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Differential: Pedro Porro (Spurs) — desperation = corners = assists
Avoid: Man City and Real Madrid set piece takers — both clubs have 0-1 UCL dead-ball goals between them
Final Thought
Set pieces are the great equaliser in knockout football. When a match is tight and nerves are jangling, the team with the best dead-ball delivery and the most dominant aerial presence often prevails. Arsenal’s corner monopoly is the single most bankable set piece asset in this round. If you’re only making one move based on this analysis, get Rice and Gabriel into your squad.
The ties with level aggregates — Arsenal vs Leverkusen and Barcelona vs Newcastle — offer the highest set piece ceiling. Both matches should be tense, tight and full of corners. Build around them.
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