Champions League Final: Real Madrid to do it again vs Liverpool?

  The vengeful Pharaoh against the French magician, it's the champions league final, who's your money on? (Photo credit: GOAL) The c...

 

The vengeful Pharaoh against the French magician, it's the champions league final, who's your money on? (Photo credit: GOAL)

The champions league is the world’s most popular sporting competition, the biggest stage for the biggest stars to show class and, if you ever get here, it means there’s something in you and you can’t afford to miss it now.

The world is waiting to see the drama, the skills and that tactical magic from the sidelines, it’s going to be a fast and furious affair, call it box office with A-list actors and seasoned crew; this is Paris and it is the UEFA Champions League Final!

Liverpool will have the opportunity of getting back at Real Madrid for the 2018 episode, it was a game of many talking points; from Judas Is-Karius, to Mo Salah and Sergio Ramos tussle that led to the Egyptian being substituted and then the Gareth Bale magic, it was a masterclass.

We go again with same fixture, same context, same stage in a different city but with super stars ready to have a go at each other. It is a night of madness, expect every shade of it and if what all the knockout rounds served us were the yardstick, then it would be a night to remember.

We saw interesting comebacks from Real Madrid, the most recent against Manchester City tops the cake but Liverpool had to do it the hard way in Spain against Villareal too. The Yellow Submarines gave Liverpool enough headaches but the fightback was too much for Unai Emery’s men to handle.

How will they line up? Liverpool continue to sweat on the fitness of Fabinho, the former Real Madrid midfielder could be available but Tiago Alcantara will not feature. That could prove vital in the scheme of things will Jurgen Klopp always relying on the midfield to drive the front three.

The fitness of Virgil Van Dijk is also under scrutiny, Ibrahim Konate and Joel Matip will both feature if the Dutchman doesn’t recover on time but with Mohammed Salah scoring against Wolves on the final day, it is clear as day that he is ready for what he sees as a grudge match.

Real Madrid will continue to rely on their magician upfront; Karim Benzema has been the best player in Spain this season and would be gunning for the Ballon d’Or, the stage is his tonight, his lieutenants will flank him and ride behind him, it will be a special night.

Expect lots of yellow cards, it will be fiercely contested. Carlo Ancelotti likes to play the poker game from the bench, he would want to be careful here; Liverpool can be out of sight in no time if the Los Blancos are careless and coming back against the Kops might be a tall order.

There will be at least three goals in the game, Liverpool will play more corners and Real Madrid players will bag the most yellow cards.

Verdict: Real Madrid to lift the trophy.