Roma star partners Real Madrid ace in attack in League B best XI

Bosnia, Sweden, Ukraine and Denmark were all promoted from League B in the UEFA Nations League after topping their respective groups and it’s no wonder that all four are represented in our best-rated XI. 

However, while the quartet excelled, it’s Gareth Bale who landed the top individual award in League B. The Real Madrid star was in fine form for Wales throughout the competition, even if Wales failed to gain promotion. Indeed, Bale secured a WhoScored rating of 8.40 from his three Nations League outings as he scored two and assisted one for Ryan Giggs’ side. He mustered more shots (17) than any other player in league B to cap off a series of fine performances in a Wales shirt. 

It’s Sweden and Bosnia-Herzegovina, though, who dominate this XI, with the pair boasting three players each. Bosnian star man Edin Dzeko partners Bale in attack after scoring three goals in four outings. The 32-year-old landed a 7.86 WhoScored rating as a result of his superb attacking performances as compatriots Miralem Pjanic (7.37) and Toni Sunjic (7.62) join Dzeko in this side. 

Sunjic is part of a backline that consists of three Swedes, with the 29-year-old featuring alongside Andreas Granqvist (7.69) at the heart of the defence. Mikael Lustig (7.39) and Ludwig Augustinsson (7.28) join Granqvist at the back, with the latter making more key passes (9) than any other player in group 3. They’d be operating ahead of experienced goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov, with the 34-year-old landing a commendable WhoScored rating of 7.11 from three of his four UEFA Nations League outings, with Ukraine winning all three games he started, which included a man of the match display in a 1-0 win over Czech Republic. 

Compatriot and Shakhtar Donetsk teammate Marlos also makes the cut after he impressed in his three outings to return a WhoScored rating of 7.63. The 30-year-old completed more dribbles (10) than any other player in League B, while a man of the match display in a 2-1 win over Czech Republic set Ukraine on their way to promotion. 

Rounding off the XI is midfield duo Thomas Delaney (7.42) and Okay Yoksulu (7.39) of Denmark and Turkey, respectively. Delaney chipped in with two tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game to help the Danes to top spot in group 4, while Yoksulu won more aerial duels (28) than any other player in League B, though it wasn’t enough to prevent Turkey from being relegated.