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It is the biggest stage in club football, The UEFA Champions League is set to resume this weekend, after a brief hiatus. Real Madrid will face Liverpool for a chance to claim the prestigious trophy, after making it to the final of the competition for a third consecutive year.
Los Blancos are looking forward to making history by becoming the first club to win the Champions League in 3 consecutive campaigns since its changed format.
However, their European mission will face its biggest test yet on Saturday, as the Los Blancos prepare to lock horns with a pro-attacking Liverpool side in a highly anticipated match.
Even though the Galacticos are considered favorites to triumph, the impressive form and the quality at Liverpool right now will be capable of complicating matters for the Spanish giants.
The Reds have a great manager in charge of the club aswell as many fantastic superstars who will be looking forward to inspiring their team to a famous victory at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium.
While Real Madrid have arguably the best squad in the world, The Reds also possess incredible superstars who have the ability to decide important games like this.
Evidently, they produced one of the finest displays in the tournament this term, defeating an all-star Manchester City side in the quarterfinals.
Therefore, the Los Blancos will need to produce a perfect display to overcome their rivals on Saturday. Particularly, they will need to overcome the threats posed by the 5 players listed below.
#5 James Milner
One of the brightest midfielders in the Liverpool squad, James Milner will definitely feature in the Champions League final on Saturday. The English International has been impressive in the Competition this term, contributing massively as The Reds made it into the final.
While Real Madrid might focus on stopping the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in the upcoming game, they will be taking a big risk that could cost them the trophy if they under-estimate the impact of James Milner.
The midfielder has the ability to control the game from the middle, distributing decent passes and sending dangerous crossings into the box.
Even though Milner is not a great scorer, the 32-year-old poses a great attacking threat with his ability to create clear-cut chances for his teammates to score. He is currently the most creative player in the Champions League this term, with 8 assists to his name.
On his day, the superstar can decide an important fixture like the upcoming one. Therefore, Real Madrid must be wary of him.
All stats via whoscored.com
#4 Virgil Van Dijk
After producing great displays against the likes of Manchester City and Roma in the tournament recently, Van Dijk will be looking forward to finishing the campaign in style by inspiring The Reds to an important victory on Saturday.
The Dutchman will definitely give Real Madrid attackers a tough time in the upcoming fixture. He was able to trouble some of the elite attackers in the competition this term, evidently limiting the impacts of players like Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane.
His height and physicality, coupled with his intelligence at the back will cause great problems for the Los Blancos in this highly anticipated clash. In fact, how the Los Blancos attackers cope with this man could go a long way to decide the tie.
Despite joining Liverpool in January, the 26-year old has already recorded 38 clearances, 2 blocks, 5 tackles and 9 interceptions in the European tournament this term.
#3 Sadio Mane
When it comes to listing Liverpool players that can cause major upsets in big games, the Senegalese forward, Sadio Mane cannot be left out.
The attacker has bagged an incredible 9 goals and 1 assist in the UEFA Champions League this term, consistently producing remarkable efforts in the European tournament during the campaign.
Mane is one of the players that Real Madrid cannot afford to underrate in the Champions League final on Saturday. The winger will create a lot of problems for Los Blancos on the left flank, with his amazing dribbling skills and decent passing ability.
Strong, difficult to dispossess and deadly in front of goal, the 26-year-old has all the qualities he needs to give Real Madrid defenders a tough time. Therefore, Zinedine Zidane must keep an eye on the Senegal International on Saturday night.
#2 Roberto Firmino
Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino is a dangerous player Real Madrid must monitor closely during the Champions League final on Saturday. Any attempt to underrate the impact of this incredible attacker could cost the Los Blancos the Champions League trophy at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium.
The 26-year-old will threaten the Galacticos in several areas on the pitch. He is clinical in front goal, able to beat defenders with his amazing movement and dribbling skills aswell as brilliant at setting up his teammates to score at the vital moments. He also drops deep into the midfield to contribute to team play and attack building.
Firmino is incredible without the ball too. He works hard to regain lost balls and contributes in defensive roles whenever the need arrives.
His overall team play and ability to score incredible goals at important moments makes him one player Los Blancos must be wary of. The striker has recorded 10 goals and 7 assists to his name in the premier European tournament this term.
#1 Mohamed Salah
While Real Madrid will rely on Cristiano Ronaldo to spark magic in the Champions League final, Liverpool will also be counting on their incredible winger, Mohamed Salah to lead them to European glory on the night.
Los Blancos will need a perfect performance to get a chance of limiting the impacts of the 25-year-old.
The Egyptian has been one of the best attackers in the Champions League this term, bagging 10 goals and 4 assists in the competition so far.
His amazing pace, fantastic dribbling and the ability to score amazing goals will prove difficult for the Spanish giants to handle.
Salah has the ability to influence the game even if he does not score. His ability to set his teammates up at vital moments is one reason why he is considered a complete player. Once again, it will take a perfect team effort to limit the impact of this amazing winger.
