Real Madrid and Liverpool set to cross swords again in repeat of 1981 final

Eastern Mirror Desk

Dimapur, May 25 (EMN): And it all comes down to these two teams: Liverpool and Real Madrid. The UEFA Champions League Final is set to kick off on Sunday morning at 12:15 AM (IST) in Kiev!

Real Madrid and Liverpool will lock horns in the showpiece event on May 26 at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.

Going into the match, the defending champions and 12-time winners Real Madrid are gunning for their third consecutive European title; and given their love affair with this competition, they are indeed the hot favourites heading to Kiev. They won the illusive La Decima (the tenth) victory of this competition in 2014, 12 years after their ninth victory in 2002. They won again in 2016 and 2017. They have won this trophy a record 12 times.

However, this time around they have formidable opponent in Liverpool and it is certain that this contest wouldn’t be stroll in a park. Liverpool are seeking the sixth in their history. The five-time winners’ last victory came in an astonishing 2005 final against AC Milan. And Rafael Benitez, who coached the Liverpool team to victory in 2005 recently said that ‘this Liverpool team is stronger than that Liverpool team’— the team of 2005.

With a player almost as quick as Usain Bolt by their side, in Mohamed Salah (who is dubbed as ‘the Egyptian Messi’), Real Madrid’s defenders are in for a tough ride. Liverpool’s front three have been in dominant form this season comprising of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah who just can’t seem to stop scoring at the moment. Jurgen Klopp indeed fancies this time could be gold for them.

In contrast, with as good the forward line, Liverpool’s defence have uncanny habit of throwing away big leads when it seems all is done; but, with the signing of Virgil van Dijk in January this year, things look controlled in that department too. Can they stop Ronaldo? At least their defender, Dejan Lovren thinks so.

However, Real Madrid are at least superior in papers as their players have immense experience on the biggest stage coming into the contest. Their domestic campaign had been a ‘failure’, coming only second to Barcelona in the La Liga table. Nonetheless, they love this competition and they had dethroned the likes of Italian heavyweights Juventus and German warriors Bayern Munich en route to the final.

On the other hand, that Liverpool defeated the English Premier League winners Manchester City, and Italian surprise package who broke the hearts of Barcelona, Roma, on the road to the final, speak volumes about their hunger to inscribe their club in the European trophy.

With the charismatic German, Jurgen Klopp managing the English side makes this contest more intriguing. A manager known for his passion on the touchline, he would do anything to come back with a triumph to the English soil. He expressed belief that his players are in it to win it. His belief is ascertained by the fact that he said, ‘Real are more experienced, but experience isn’t everything.’

In Zinedine Zidane, there is a different story altogether. Having already won the trophy as a player and captain; and as a coach too, he is no stranger to this competition (note that he scored the winning goal in the 2002 Champions League Final). He knows the competition well and would utilise his vast reservoir of experience to taste ecstasy of winning a champions league once again. In his words: “Real Madrid have the same enthusiasm, dedication, and desire as always.”

After all, the ball is going to get rolling come the midnight. There will be emotions— there will be cheers and there will be a few heartbreaks too.

Can Real Madrid do an unprecedented three in a row? Or will Liverpool steal the show?

This is the second time that the two teams are going to battle again at this stage after a gap of 36 years. The last time these two teams met back in 1981, the Reds got the better of the Los Blancos.

Will the history repeat itself for Liverpool or will a new history be written for Real Madrid?

Find out on Sunday at Ten Sports at 12:15 am IST.