PARIS – If Champions League finally Europe’s answer to the Super Bowl – and yes some power brokers who want to make it even more – then most would be happier with Saturday’s candidates. Liverpool fight with Real Madrid Tick the many hype boxes that are dear to sponsors and broadcasters, but may also reflect a dissection of the current order in Europe.
There are no fairy tales here. Merit and knowledge, quality and confidence, experience and courage. Most observers would rank Liverpool, runner-up in Premier League and the winners League Cup and FA Cupand Real Madrid, the winners LaLiga, as two of Europe’s top three this season. (In case you’re wondering, the third member of this season’s dominant trio are the Premier League champions City of Manchesterwho was defeated by Real Madrid in a dramatic comeback in the semi-finals).
Those three are the best of Europe’s already elite superclubs when the others have fallen. Paris Saint-Germainin spite of Neymar–Kylian Mbappe–Lionel Messi frontline, and Chelseathe defending European champions, were knocked out by, yes, Madrid, whose run to the final saw them knock out many potential winners with a late comeback. Bayern Munich and Juventus fall on the upstarts killing giants Villarreal (they were defeated by Liverpool themselves, after scaring them). Green-blooded compatriots Barcelona and Manchester United also exited early, bearing the corresponding burden in the aftermath of the quasi-financial crisis and Chaos and psyche going on at Old Trafford.
So you have more than two legitimate final candidates. We’ll allow folk marketing with their consumer surveys to figure out their rankings, but it’s safe to say that in terms of global fan base and brand strength, both Real Madrid and Liverpool are both in the top 5. Part of the reason why the City of Lights of tricolor maybe also get rid of the blue in the next few days and just leave the white of Madrid and the red of Liverpool, because that’s all you’ll see on the street.
No one can question their history, both past and present. No one has been European champion more than Real Madrid, who have won it 13 times, since the days when it was called the European Cup (the same trophy, by the way, was just renamed the Champions League) in the mid-1950s. But Liverpool have won it six times and Saturday’s victory will see them go head-to-head AC Milanseven wins in second place. And we’re also talking about recent success. This is Liverpool’s third trip to the final in the past five years; Real Madrid have won it four times in the past eight campaigns.
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But you also have a delectable tasting menu of subplots and miniatures.
To begin with, it was, in a way, a gritty match after the 2017-18 Champions League final in Kyiv. That night, Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1, but, for many Red Devils, the way the game plays out is still very clever. Goalie Loris Karius make two giant mistakes and star forward Mohamed Salah must be replaced half an hour after the clash with Sergio Ramos. Salah will be there on Saturday night, along with 18 others from both teams who took part in Kyiv. Ramos, the type of player hated by opponents and backed by supporters, might be tempted there too, and not just for trolling: after all, he’s spent 16 years at Real Madrid and currently playing for PSG, just a short trip. Peripherique from the Stade de France.
Then there’s the fact that Real Madrid comes with a somewhat bruised ego. It’s not that the players mind you – if there’s one thing this season’s return to the final has taught us that few can match them in tenacity, defiance and self-confidence. absolute believe – but Madridismo, That great collective (part philosophy, part flesh) of supporters and the club members themselves.Cristiano Ronaldo French superstar said: “are not“and chose to stay at PSG instead.
It was a shock to many and even prompted Mbappe to personally contact Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and Long interview to explain his decision. It’s not just the reality that puts Madrid’s summer transfer plans in shambles, it’s the reality that this is a club that is not used to not getting its way. Mbappe, who was born and raised just a few miles away, will pass Madrid fans on Saturday; in spirit, if not in body.
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Stewart Robson thinks Mohamed Salah to Real Madrid can still play despite the striker saying he plans to stay at Liverpool next season.
There’s much more to the collection of hype watches and star power. Real Madrid has a hypothetical Ballon d’Or winner (Karim Benzema) and a counter-clockwise, fluffy-haired genius who, despite being 36 years old, sees and hits passes that others can only draw on a whiteboard (Luka Modric).
Liverpool have Salah, the Premier League’s top scorer, and Sadio Mane: bitter rivals in another continent – Mane’s Senegal longer than Salah’s Egypt in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations – brothers in goals on the pitch. Goalkeepers, of Madrid Thibaut Courtois and of Liverpool Alisson, arguably the best in the world, has the ability to perform live that could single-handedly help you win the finals. Both coaches are incredibly popular and fast with a smile, despite all the 90-minute business in their own right: Jurgen Klopp waves wildly and wanders on the sidelines, Carlo Ancelotti… Chewing gum and huddled with his assistant, Davide, who also happens to be his son. Klopp is looking for a second Champions League title; His fourth Ancelotti, more than any other manger in game history.
They reached the final by different routes. Real Madrid wrapped up the Liga title three weeks ago and spent their last matches recuperating and giving their battle-weary stars a break; Liverpool, who have reached the final in every competition they participate in, played an FA Cup final and contested the Premier League title until the dying minutes of the final day of the season. less than a week. (That’s another age-old question that needs to be addressed: is it better to get enough rest, or is it better to keep the competitive juices flowing until the last minute?)
The scene was set and it couldn’t have been better: for the supporters, for the neutrals, for the 80,000 lucky people on the ground and the hundreds of millions of people watching around the globe, for the organizers and for sponsors, for storytellers and for dreamers.
All that remains is for the two teams to take the field and serve. Don’t disappoint us.
