Real Madrid CF Vs Liverpool FC
UEFA Champions League: Final
NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine
Saturday, May 26th, 2018        2:45PM EST        FOX

The 2017-18 European club campaign is coming to a close this Saturday as fans across the global get ready for one of football’s greatest spectacles, the UEFA Champions League Final!  The famed bunny eared trophy will be raised once more, but by whom?  Will it be Sergio Ramos and his fellow Galacticos, or will it be Jordan Henderson and his Liver Bird Reds?  Without further ado, let’s delve into each club’s strengths and weaknesses as we try to gauge what will unfold come Saturday night in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Real Madrid CF

As indicative of the nickname Galaticos, one would surmise that Madrid probably don’t have too many weaknesses and that’s absolutely correct.  The club that’s been donned the moniker “Kings of Europe” due to its record 12 Champions League triumphs, including 3 of the past four,  has a bag of riches that’s only rivaled by that of Scrooge McDuck.  In addition to the quality that Real possess, the club’s UCL pedigree runs deep within the ranks and they boasts a whopping 14 players that will be in the World Cup next month.  Every one of the 14 World Cup internationals plus Big Benz and Bale, have been apart of at least one of the previous three UCL championships.  To take that one step further, of this group, only Marco Asensio hasn’t been a part of at least two of the past three championships.  Lastly, 13 of this group’s 16 have been a part of all three Madrid UCL triumphs.  That’s simply incredible.  It’s a core of players that have proven to truly be the best in Europe and across the globe.  Whether it’s between the posts with Keylor Navas, along the backline by way of Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Marcelo, and Nacho Hernandez, in midfield via Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casimero, Mateo Kovacic, and Isco, or up front with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale, Karem Benzema, and Lucas Vazquez, this roster only features the very best that football has to offer.

With all of that said, Madrid has been shaky defensively this season which has led to an underwhelimg campaign overall.  It is also a point of emphasis, for Jugen Klopp and his is Liverpool side, to try and exploit.  For as superior as Los Blancos have been in European competition, by their standards, domestically they’ve been abysmal.  Another early exit from the Copa del Rey combined with finishing third in La Liga, and a shocking 17 points adrift from league champions Barcelona, Real has simply underperformed this term.  Uncharacteristically, this is a Madrid side that in La Liga saw its goals for drop by 12, and goals conceded increase by 3.  Ultimately, this resulted in a 17 point drop.  Within one season, they went from 2017 La Liga Champions to 2018 third placed finishers.  In exchange for the excitement around a Champions League three-peat, their dismal league outcomes have been minimized.

On the offensive side, Real’s shining star has had mixed results this season as Ronaldo produced his lowest La Liga goal total, 26, since his first season in Spain’s capitol.  He also set a new UCL record for being the first player in history to score in each of the six group stage matches. Moreover, he scored in each of the first ten UCL matches.  In terms of UCL goals, his closest scoring rivals are Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino, and they each have 10 goals.  All three only have the final left to play, but with 15, Ronaldo will assuredly finish this UCL term with the most goals.  So, take Ronaldo’s stats for what you will.  Whether you think he’s been inconsistent or deadly accurate, one things for sure, Ronaldo and his Real Madrid will score a handful of goals on Saturday.

Liverpool FC

Historically, the Reds also boast one of the most prestigious trophy cabinets in Europe, holding  five Champions Leagues titles.  Though they are tied for third most wins, the Red's latest Champions Leagues triumph came in 2005.  Their past success are nearly irrelevant for this Saturday’s match and their current roster offers no players that have ever even played in a Champions League Final.  Liverpool and Real have had pretty equal seasons, but the atmosphere of a Champions League Final is unique.  As Real has had recent experience and success in this arena, they are likely better prepared emotionally for this moment.  Conversely, the Red’s will come in without the burden of defending their title, and may bring a great hunger to this rare opportunity.  On the other hand, they could react as many have before them and get stage fright under the lights.  Any amount of beginners luck likely won’t compensate for Liverpool’s defensive backline and goalkeeper.  Though things have improved somewhat since the arrival of Virgil Van Djik in January, as well as the continued development of the young full-backs, make no mistake about it Klopp’s defense could easily let in seven goals in Kyiv.  Heck, Juventus, with Buffon, Chilieni, Bonucci, Barzagli, etc. let in four in last year’s final.  I can’t stop thinking about the fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold (19 years of age) and Andy Robertson (24 years of age) will be going up against goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo out on the flanks.  Yikes!  

It’s not all bad though for Liverpool as they do posses the Egyptian King in Mo Salah.  As the Premier League’s top goal scorer, Salah is more than capable of punishing Madrid’s sometimes out of sorts defense.  Couple Salah’s brilliance with Klopp’s famed gegenpress and the Liver Birds have the potential of hitting the back of Keylor Navas’ net early and often.  The gegenpress is something that Real has yet to face this season or ever before really, thus, Los Blancos might be caught off guard once the ball kicks off, and that’s exactly what Liverpool is hoping for.  

LSB Prediction

I’m incredibly excited for this final on Saturday.  On the surface, it should shape up to being an electric, back and forth match with goals aplenty, for both sides.  Liverpool must get out and force its tempo, pressure and will on Madrid from the opening whistle.  I believe that the payers will come out swinging and as a result will produce two quick goals, one from Salah and one from Firmino.  However, Madrid won’t panic.  Rather, they’ll grow into the match and by halftime the deficit will be cut to one.  Come the second half, Ronaldo will push Madrid’s counter-attacking tempo up and not only tie the game, but take the lead 3-2.  With just 20 minutes to go, Liverpool will try to circle the wagons and scrap for an equalizer, which they’ll get by way of Van Djik’s header, sending the match into extra time.  In ET, Liverpool will be running on fumes after exerting so much energy applying the gegenpress, and from staging a last attempt, game tying goal.  Thus, Madrid, by way of substitutes Bale, Asensio, and Vazquez, will score twice to clinch the match, the title, and the three-peat.  All that will be left is for captain Sergio Ramos to hoist the beloved Bunny Ears.  5-3 ET Real Madrid CF