A total of 179 under-23 players, born in 1998 or later, took part in the 2020/21 Champions League group stage, making up nearly 25% (out of 718) of all players who have so far made at least one appearance in this season’s competion proper.
Shakhtar Donetsk fielded the most under-23s (11), just ahead of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Salzburg (10 each). In contrast, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Ferencváros and Lazio only used one player born no earlier than in 1998 each.
Meanwhile, Salzburg finished top when it came to the total number of appearances made by under-23 players in this season’s Champions League group stage. Lazio were bottom.
The total of 179 under-23 players, who have made at least one appearance in the elite competition so far this term, represent 41 different nationalities.
France lead the way with 19 under-23s, ahead of England (17), Brazil and, perhaps surprisingly, Russia (15). Spain come fifth with 13, closely followed by Ukraine (12) and the Netherlands (11). Germany are eighth, level with Portugal (8 each). The United States are tenth (7) and Italy are eleventh (5).
As far as position on the pitch is concerned, under-23s in this season’s Champions League group stage are statistically almost never goalkeepers.
Furthermore, out of 179 under-23 players who have made at least one appearance in the Champions League proper so far this term:
- 53 (30%) are left-footed;
- 38 (21%) went down the English route of player development;
- 32 (18%) were born in the last quarter of the year.
They also scored 20% (58 out of 289) of goals, assisting 12% (36).
See the best young individual performers of this season’s Champions League group stage [a thread].
In the picture (found here): Dynamo Kyiv’s Ilia Zabarnyi is the youngest player to have played every minute of this season’s Champions League group stage
All data presented in this article comes from my own research supported by WhoScored.com and Transfermarkt.com.
BREAKTHROUGH 