Kiev 2018; The keys to unlocking the Champions League final
Real Madrid and Liverpool are about to meet in the Champions League final and they have both made it to Kiev with very different styles of football with the Spanish side dominating the middle of the pitch whilst the Reds look to use their attacking trident and the flanks.
The difference between the sides is clear when you compare the passing distribution as Real Madrid's is dominated by five key figures: Toni Kroos, Marcelo, Isco, Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos.
Los Blancos are capable of playing extremely fast, extremely direct and can create a chance out of nothing—and have clinical players who can finish those chances off, although Real have not been as dominant as previous seasons, when their BBC (Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo) strikeforce was in full flow and Luka Modric and Toni Kroos ran the midfield.
This team seems to be more pragmatic. Centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane and defensive midfielder Casemiro form a strong spine and Zidane can usually rely on Ronaldo for a moment of magic
Liverpool are utilising counter attacks better than anyone else in the Premier League this season – and Mohamed Salah is playing a major role. Liverpool have scored 40 goals in 12 Champions League matches this season - and Salah (10), Firmino (10) and Mane (nine) have scored 29 of them.
Liverpool's play comes through just three men: Dejan Lovren, James Milner and Jordan Henderson. Perhaps surprisingly, the Croatian defender is the one who receives the most passes (552) and has given more too (685), usually looking to Loris Karius, Virgil van Dijk or Jordan Henderson. The path of the ball is clear, from Karius to Lovren to Henderson to Milner to Firmino to Salah.
The biggest fear for any team facing Liverpool is that front three - especially Mane and Salah - are so quick that it doesn't matter how good a defender you are, their pace will always cause you problems.
Who do you think will be crowned champions of Europe tonight??.? Lets hear your predictions
As for me I'm thinking Liverpool 3-0 Real Madrid
Real madrid will suffer defeat in tonight's game. Real 1-2 Liverpool with Liverpool scoring both goals in 2nd half.
It is going to be a tough one and real madrid might just edge over Liverpool in a 1 nil scoreline
It is going to be a tough one and real madrid might just edge over Liverpool in a 1 nil scoreline
If Zinedine Zidane's side should win tonight certainly he will become one of the greatest European coaches in the history of UCL on the other hand, if it goes to Jurgen Klopp's side I think it will be a fitting crown to his extensive efforts this season, believe me when I say Liverpool has played some breathtaking football this season.