5. Dante & Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich)
A pair that were crucial to Munich's quadruple success last season, and Boateng was top notch in the final stanza of 2012-13 in particular. Dante seems to be the one most people praise, but Boateng is an unsung hero and his work for both Germany and Bayern Munich goes unnoticed. Former boss Heyncke tended to rotate between Daniel van Buyten and Jerome Boateng last season, so the Belgian could easily be Dante's partner for this list. However, at 35 and with the trend that seems to be set by Guardiola since taking over, it seems that the Boateng-Dante partnership is going to be the key to this upcoming campaign. van Buyten's aerial ability is exceptional, but his pace is lacking and he tends to struggle with quicker, direct football that is played by the likes of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. Boateng, on the other hand, is strong, quick and his aerial ability is nothing to be scoffed at, either. Jupp Heynckes's side (now replaced by Pep Guardiola as head coach) conceded just 18 goals in their 34 league games last season, and it was the form of the aforementioned Dante and Boateng pairing that was responsible for this staggering figure, with van Buyten and Neuer also making huge contributions. With 21 clean sheets in this sensational league campaign, it is no wonder why the pair are considered one of the finest in European football. Should Boateng control his questionable temper and Dante stay clear of injury, expect another season brimming with clean sheets for the Munich club.