Champions League final preview: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Friday, May 25, 2018
Article summary
Team news, expert views, form guide, fantasy tips and key stats – it's your UEFA Champions League final preview.
Article top media content
Article body
- Real Madrid aiming for third straight triumph
- Liverpool are top scorers with a record 46 goals
- Zidane: "Pressure is life, it makes it better"
- Klopp: "We are Liverpool and this is in our DNA"
- Game is at same venue as UEFA EURO 2012 final
Possible line-ups
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrić, Isco; Ronaldo, Bale
Out: none
Doubtful: none
Liverpool: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Mané, Firmino, Salah
Out: Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee ligaments), Gomez (ankle), Matip (thigh)
Doubtful: Emre Can (back)
Reporters' views
Joe Walker, Real Madrid (@UEFAcomJoeW)
Well, once again Madrid are here. The UEFA Champions League final is a date they have circled in the diary every year and once more they may believe it is their destiny to lift the trophy, this year for an unprecedented 13th time. Zinédine Zidane has a selection dilemma up top – Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema? – but whoever isn't given the nod isn't a bad option to bring on, either.
Matthew Howarth, Liverpool (@UEFAcomMattH)
Jürgen Klopp's troops have no reason to fear Real Madrid. The Merengues may have big-game experience on their side, but Liverpool's irrepressible front three are capable of inflicting serious damage on the holders. If the Reds can show the defensive steel that served them so well over two legs against Manchester City in the quarters, they might just crown this remarkable campaign with a sixth European Cup.
What the coaches say
Zinédine Zidane, Real Madrid coach
Football is simple. There are two teams and you need to understand the opponent can hurt you and control that. Then when you have the ball you need to try to do them harm with your style of play. We're not favourites, nor are they. It's 50-50 as finals always are. We're happy to be here and play another final. We'll never live this again. We'll live other moments but we'll never have today and tomorrow again. We need to take advantage. If there's pressure, well, that's life. It makes it better.
Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
We had an agreement when we started working together that I'm responsible for any defeats, the boys are responsible for when we win. So they have nothing to lose. Experience is very important and I'm pretty sure a second before the game Madrid will be more confident than us. But it doesn't matter because the game doesn't stop there, it only starts. They've not played us and we are Liverpool – not only a good football team, but we have in our DNA to go for big things.
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Fantasy Football top points-scorers
Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo, forward (88 points, €12.9m)
Liverpool: Roberto Firmino, forward (86 points, €9.7m)
Form guide
Most recent game
19/05: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid (Martínez 70, Castillejo 85; Bale 11, Ronaldo 32)
13/05: Liverpool 4-0 Brighton (Salah 26, Lovren 40, Solanke 53, Robertson 85)
Last ten games (most recent first)
Madrid: DWLDDWWDWL
Liverpool: WLLDWDWWDW
Did you know?
- Ronaldo could become the first player to win this competition five times in the UEFA Champions League era.
- Klopp has lost his last five major finals as a manager.
- Sergio Ramos helped Spain win UEFA EURO 2012 at this same stadium.
For more like this, check out our extensive match background.