Real Madrid and Liverpool face off in an epic battle tonight at the NSC Olimpiskiy in Ukraine
A Champions League Final always promises loads of entertainment and emotions. Over the years, clubs have fought tooth and nail to win this prestigious tournament. No other game gets ever more interesting than this. That night is the night. Fans travel hundreds of miles to watch their favorite team play their best to get their hands on the 11 kg, pure Silver trophy. Come 2018, that day has arrived again. This time, it's Real Madrid and Liverpool who'll play their hearts out tonight.
Can youthful exuberance take down experience?
Real Madrid have been Champions League winners a record 12 times, while Liverpool have won the Champions League 5 times. Real Madrid are certainly the more experienced side. Their coach Zinedine Zidane has himself been a European Champion, both as a coach and as a player, winning it as a player in 2002, and a remarkable 3 times as a coach in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has experienced a Champions League Final as a coach with Borussia Dortmund, as he faced off against Jupp Heynckes's Bayern Munich. Klopp lost 2:1 to the mighty Bayern, and Bayern successfully completed their treble. As this is Liverpool's first Champions League final in 11 years, Klopp will be under a lot of pressure. It will be interesting to see whether a more youthful side will dominate a side with more experience.
Offense or defense?
Both Real Madrid and Liverpool have ridiculously talented forwards. In the form of Mane, Firmino and Salah, Liverpool's trio has torn apart defenses in their way with their deadly counter attacks. However, apart from those 3, Liverpool don't really have dominating options up front. Real Madrid are most likely to go with their standard offense, consisting of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Real's added advantage is that they are stocked to the brim with talent in every position on the pitch. Marco Asensio, Isco, Lucas Vasquez and Gareth Bale could be just as deadly, given that they find their groove on this cricual night.
Madrid's midfield has Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro, who can make key passes and turn defensive play into offense. Mateo Kovacic has shined in his recent appearances for the club, and he can be touted as a viable option to start tonight. Liverpool have James Milner, their captain Jordan Henderson and Giorginio Wijnaldum. The trio can set up play very nicely, creating space to allow Salah and Mane use their pace to run down the wing.
Sergio Ramos and Raphel Varane handle their defensive duties for Madrid very well indeed. Los Blancos are blessed with Marcelo, who is the most attacking left back in the world. Lucas Vasquez handles the situation as a right back. Liverpool have Daejn Lovren and Virgil Van Dijk as center backs, and Andew Robertson and Alexader Trent-Arnold as left and right backs respectively. If the situation calls, Jordan Henderson can himself play as a center back. In the sticks, Real Madrid have their trusted man Keylor Navas, and Loris Karius, who has taken over Simon Mignolet, has proven himself as a reliable shot stopper for Liverpool over time. Both teams have really powerful men, but Real Madrid have a slight edge because of their experience and their abilit to handle stressful situations.
Frankly speaking, it's anybody's game tonight! Can Zidane make history by winning a 3rd straight Champions League as a coach? Will Klopp be finally able to get his hands on the trophy after missing it by inches 5 years ago? Time will only tell. Enjoy the game tonight, because it's going to be an absolute showdown!
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