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As the countdown to Champions league final enters the 72 hour mark, the excitement among both sets of fans is palpable. While the holders Real Madrid are considered to be favourites for the tie, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have enjoyed an astounding run of form in the second half of the season.
Add to it the unpredictable nature of both the teams, and you get a mouth-watering game right there. As for Real Madrid, here is the best line up which could give The Reds a run for their money.
Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas
Whilst Madrid have reached a third consecutive Champions league final, Keylor Navas has endured a tough season between the sticks. Although he has had to pick the ball 15 times from the back of his net, he is still one of the best goalkeepers plying their trade across the world and on his day, can be impenetrable.
He is blessed with tremendous reflexes, remains utterly calm in one-one situations and has shown a great tendency to be the clutch in pressure situations. While the naysayers might point out that he conceded 6 goals against Juventus and Bayern in the quarters and semis respectively, the fact that he made some heroic saves at crucial times cannot be underestimated.
While facing the heavy metal of Klopp's Liverpool, it is almost certain that Navas will be the busiest man on the pitch. There have been talks of goalkeepers like David de Gea, Thibaut Courtoius donning the No.1 jersey for Madrid, but Navas has remained unperturbed in these turbulent times and has been a saviour for his team on countless occasions. Zidane will be hoping that his protege will bring out his best game, because that, and some more will be required to beat the Reds.
Left-back: Marcelo
The Brazilian has registered 3 goals and 2 assists this season, but his defensive contribution is something the fans have been disappointed with. His booming runs down the left flank has been a hallmark of his game, but his disinterest in tracking down the oppositions running past him has led to his team conceding way more goals than what would have made Zidane comfortable.
He'll be up against one of the favourites for Ballon d'or this season, Mo Salah. The Egyptian will look to stamp his authority on this game and establish his credentials as a big match player.
Centre-back: Sergio Ramos
The Real Madrid captain has been a constant performer for the Whites this season, defending astutely but has been error-prone as well. Due to Marcelo's ventures up the pitch, he has been forced to defend two men simultaneously.
On Sunday, El Capitan will lead his team into third consecutive Champions league final and will look forward to his clash with Roberto Firmino (and Salah as well, if Marcelo is left behind by The Reds counter attacks)
Centre-back: Raphael Varane
If I were to choose the most reliable defender from the Madrid back four, it'd be hands down, Raphael Varane. The French international has performed admirably and cannot be faulted for much of the goals that Madrid have conceded this term.
Against Liverpool, he will have to be on his toes for the entire duration of the game, if Madrid are to see this through. His goal line clearances are becoming a norm and I won't be surprised if we see a couple of those in Kiev. Not only his defending abilities, he has seemingly worked on his ball carrying abilities and off the ball movements, which is sure to please Zidane's eyes.
Right-back: Daniel Carvajal
Arguably the world's finest Right-back, Carvajal has earned plaudits from his fans for his immense contribution in both attack and defence. After missing some games due to his heart problems, he has roared back into the squad and put in some amazing performances.
His absence was deeply felt by Madrid against Bayern in the second leg when Vazquez and Modric played by the skin out of their teeth to see them through. His combination with Modric augurs well for the team and his timely interventions after being dispossessed are fast becoming the stuff of legends.
Defensive midfielder: Casemiro
The 'Tank' will assume greater importance in the scheme of things in Kiev when The Reds try to win their first major trophy after 13 years. While Liverpool don't mind ceding poosession to their opponents in favour of lightning quick counter attacks, Casemiro will be tasked to sit back and thwart those attacks by absorbing all the pressure.
Case, too, has developed a knack of delivering a sucker punch into the faces of oppositions by scoring goals in high octane games, one of which was an absolute screamer against Juventus in last year's showdown. Doing all the dirty work at the centre of park, Casemiro will be expected to stop Roberto Firmino in his tracks who has enjoyed a purple patch this season.
Central midfielder: Toni Kroos
The midfield maestro continues to make Bayern regret his transfer to Madrid in 2014 with his out of the world performances. As is his wont, he dictates the game, operating in a deep-lying midfielder role, similar to that of a regista.
His ability to control the tempo of the game is what makes him special. Always comfortable on the ball, he'll be the key to sniff out Liverpool's geggenpressing. His calmness on the ball is pertinent for Madrid to control the tempo of the game. His short, incise passes keep the opponents starving while his long rangers can catch them unawares and create goal-scoring chances.
Central midfielder: Luka Modric
Kroos' partner in crime, Luka Modric has been pulling the strings at Madrid, establishing his name as one of the finest playmaker of his generation. The Croatian international has wowed the audience with his silky first touches, atrocious turns and insane out of the boot passes. Quite similar to Kroos' ability to calmly knock the ball around, Lukita will probably tasked to track the runs of Liverpool's captain James Milner, who has registered 8 assists this season, the most in this year's competition.
Attacking midfielder: Isco
While there are many pundits suggesting that Zidane shouldn't use the Diamond against Liverpool due to its vulnerability to quick counter-attacks, precisely what Liverpool rely upon, I expect Isco to start the game, with Diamond or without Diamond. He has thrived in the roaming midfielder role given by Zizou and has put in some great shifts across the pitch.
If Liverpool press high, and they surely will, Kroos and Modric will have an extra player who is comfortable on the ball and requires just one touch to drool away the defenders. When going forward, he can be the creative outlet and make incisive through balls for his attackers to feed upon.
He has been often blamed for slowing down Madrid's attacks, and while that is true to some extent, he still remains a pivotal player for Zidane and if in full flow, there are very few players who can stop him. In a 4-4-2 diamond formation, Isco plays at the tip of it while Casemiro plays at the bottom, behind Kroos and Luka Modric.
However, I reckon Zizou will field a flat 4-4-2 or might even play a 4-3-3 formation to bring defensive stability to the side. If he opts for the former, Isco will play just behind the front two, albeit more centrally. If he goes for 4-3-3, which doesn't seem to be a viable option, Bale will shift towards the right, and Cristiano donning the left flank. Isco will have to play a more advanced role in this formation, depriving Madrid of solidity in the centre
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
There's absolutely nothing that the 5-time Ballon d'or winner cannot do on a football pitch, especially in matches like these. He is the best big-game player in the history of the game and is widely expected to score in Kiev, thereby making him the first player to score in 5 Champions League finals.
The Portuguese superstar has banged in 15 goals this term and will be looking to increase the tally. To say that his goals have been primary reason of Madrid reaching the Final, would surely be an understatement.
Cristiano always keeps his best for special occasions and the Madrid faithful will be hoping that he destroys Liverpool just like he has been destroying innumerable teams across his career and deliver the 13th Champions League trophy for Real Madrid.
Forward: Gareth Bale
On current form, Bale seems almost certain to start the game ahead of Karim Benzema. Although Ronaldo apparently struggles without the services of Benz through the middle, Bale can help in the build-up and is always just a swish of boot away from delivering an accurate cross into the box.
Having Bale will also help Madrid in the sense that his supreme pace will always keep Liverpool's defenders wary of him and thus will make them reluctant to charge higher up the pitch. As he showed against Juventus in the second leg, he is willing to dwarf his attacking instincts to help in defence if the need arises. For me, Bale will be the player to watch out for, and will be the difference in this huge clash.
