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Champions League Final 2017/18 Key Battles

Neill Simpson 20 th May 2018

Two giants of the European game and two of the very best attacking sides in the Champions League this season, however who will be crowned Champions League winners come the final whistle on Saturday, Real Madrid or Liverpool? Well this is a question that will be answered on pitch and with both sides full of exceptional talent, it will be down to several key battles that will need to be decided before war is won.

Real Madrid of course start as favourites after reaching their fourth final in five years, however Liverpool will come into this game with immense belief that they have the firepower to overcome the odds and be crowned champions of Europe for a 6th time.

Let’s take a look at some key battles that could decide the outcome of this much anticipated clash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y2atTuvWKE

Virgil van Dijk vs Cristiano Ronaldo

How important is this one for Van Djik and Liverpool? Ronaldo has been in irresistible form again this season in the Champions League with 15 goals. In fact, this is the 6th season in a row that he has led the scoring charts in club football’s most coveted tournament.

If the Portuguese superstar finds the back of the net on Saturday, he will be the first man to score in four finals since it became the Champions League.

I find it hard to believe that certain experts have stressed that Ronaldo at 33-years-of-age is now on a downward spiral. Come on he has scored 50 goals in 48 matches this season! He is a big stage player and all he needs is a sniff of a chance to convert, as we saw against Juventus with that spectacular bicycle kick.

Ronaldo will roam all over and be difficult to mark, however when Klopp masterminded Dortmund’s semifinal win over Real back in the 2012/13 season, his tactic then was to man mark Ronaldo, a task that could fall on the shoulders of Dutchman Van Djik.

Make no mistake, at £75million, most were questioning the price paid by Liverpool for the defender, although he has been quite brilliant in justifying it since his arrival in January. Wouldn’t be surprised if his value has doubled since then!

Van Dijk will know he can win this battle against the five-time Ballon d’Or winner which will go a long way to winning the war.

 

 

Jordan Henderson vs Luka Modric

Modric is without doubt their creative midfield maestro and alongside Toni Kroos, the pair get the upper hand against most of their midfield opposition.

Jordan Henderson has matured into a fine player, especially this season, but his performance on Saturday will determine just how far he has come.

This is a battle he needs to own, in fact Wijnaldum, Milner and Henderson will need cut down any time and space that the Real midfield have to operate in, especially with the pin point passing skills that Modric and co possess.

 

Mohamed Salah vs Marcelo

This is not only one of the most exciting battles to watch, but one that could influence the outcome of the game for either Real or Liverpool for that matter.

Marcelo is unquestionably the best left back in the business, although his surging runs forward and the amount of time he spends attacking in the oppositions half, suggests he isn’t much of a left back at all!

You can bet on Saturday night that he will want to test the 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold, and if in position he is capable of scoring from range or set up others on the scoresheet.

While this has been a tactical strength in Real’s play, it does leave Los Blancos exposed at the back, something that Mo Salah will punish. Be interesting to see how Madrid approach this risk.

Salah has shown throughout the campaign that any space behind he will capitalize on, just ask Roma. Well just ask the teams he has accumulated 45 goals against this season.

This really is a great match-up and one that could be a little bit of a chess game at first, before Marcelo instinct takes over.

 

 

Roberto Firmino vs Sergio Ramos

Another battle that gets the juices flowing. One of Real Madrid and Spain’s greatest defenders against the Brazilian Firmino that is having a quite brilliant season.

Ramos is vastly experienced both on the international stage with Spain and at club level with Real. There isn’t a trick in the book that he doesn’t know and his game comes with controlled aggression. Well sometimes. Picking up yellow cards remains part of his game.

You can bet this won’t fluster Firmino, certainly not judging by the way he has played this season. His movement, control and passing skillset is as good as any on the planet this season. Throw in his 27 goals and you have a player that has really stood up to the mark following the departure of Coutinho.

In fact, I will even go as far to say that since Coutinho has left, Liverpool’s attack has got better with Firmino calling the shots.

Firmino also has an exceptionally high work rate and will press the Real back four when in possession. Ramos won’t be able to afford any mistake if under pressure.

 

Dani Carvajal vs Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane has been outstanding for Liverpool since he joined last season and makes up the big three for Liverpool alongside Firmino and Salah. This season in particular his finishing has gone up a level with 21 goals, 9 of those in the Champions League.

It is his pace however that has caused havoc all season both in Europe and on the domestic front, as Roma found out in both legs.

Carvajal is very accomplished on the right of the Real defence and also has some fair pace to burn. His work rate is exceptional although with Firmino, Salah and Mane all making runs simultaneously, space opens up no matter how good a defensive unit you are, something not only Carvajal will have to be aware of during the final.

Carvajal is another yellow card candidate, picking up 17 of them this season. If Mane can use his pace in the box it could very well provoke a rash challenge.

Neill Simpson 20th May 2018
champions league Football