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After months of gruelling competition, the most anticipated fixture of the season is here. The UEFA Champions League final is knocking at the doorstep and considering the talent that will be on display in the final, it is surely going to be a thriller.
The European heavyweights- Real Madrid and Liverpool lock horns in the final. Liverpool have been on fire this season and have performed beyond expectations on many occasions. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have been the dominant club team in Europe since the last few years and can complete a historic treble of UCL trophies should they win this time out.
They have faced each other five times so far, with Liverpool winning on three occasions. However when they met in the group stage 2014, Real emerged victorious in both the matches.
Here are the five things that one should look out for in the final:
#1 The King of the Champions League - Cristiano Ronaldo
The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo leads the charts for maximum number of goals(120) scored in the history of the Champions League, shows just how good he is. He has been Real Madrid's talisman ever since he joined them in 2009.
He is the best finisher in the game right now. He has scored 44 goals this season and provided his teammates with 8 assists so far. These stats are meaningless for a player of his cadre who has grown used to scoring 40+ goals every season and he is hungry for more silverware in an already glorious career.
He has been in glorious form, lighting up the UCL and has scored 15 goals so far. The Portuguese captain will be looking to seal a fifth Champions League title for himself. His versatility across the forward line and capability to deliver when the situation demands, makes him so special.
Can Cristiano win the treble for Madrid?
#2 The 'Mo Salah' factor
In Mohammed Salah, Liverpool have one of the best strikers in world football right now. He has pretty much silenced all his critics with his performances this season.
Salah always showed promise, ever since his FC Basel days and he was purchased by Chelsea. But after finding it difficult to break into the first team, he switched two clubs and ever since he has signed for Liverpool, he has become a phenomenon.
Salah won the PFA Player of the Year Award and the Premier League Golden Boot this season for scoring a record 32 goals, breaking the long-standing record jointly held by Ronaldo, Suarez and Alan Shearer. He has 44 goals and 16 assists in his kitty, and will be looking forward to end his stellar season by lifting the title.
Will Mo Salah be the 'Prophet' for the Reds?
#3 The attacking arsenal of both teams
The final brings two of the most attacking teams that often massacre opposition defenses and scores goals for fun. Real Madrid have scored an incredible 148 goals this season and Liverpool have scored 142 goals in all competitions, courtesy of their wonderful attack force.
Liverpool have the resurgent Roberto Firmino leading the line as the centre forward, with Mohammed Salah marshaling the right wing and Sadio Mane operating down the left wing. Captain Jorgan Henderson leads the midfield that also includes the relentless pace of James Milner and the vision of Giorginio Wijnaldum.
Real Madrid have Karim Benzema as the centre forward, who often scores when you least expect him to. Cristiano Ronaldo plays as the left-winger or sometimes switches with Benzema for the CF role. Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez function as the right wingers. The midfield is composed of stalwarts like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric with Casemiro as the holding midfielder.
Isco and Marco Asensio are versatile enough to slot in any position and they can win matches of their own as well.
Who will be the dominant attack-force in the final?
#4 The tactical battle: Zidane vs Klopp
Zinedine Zidane has built a name for himself as a wonderful manager ever since he took the reigns of Real Madrid from Rafa Benitez. He has won every single possible trophy that Real Madrid can possibly win, with the exception of Copa del Rey.
Zidane's game focuses more on attacking on counter and high pressing, which leaves the opposition completely baffled. He has a pool of extremely talented players to exploit and he does that with great efficiency. Scoring goals by crossing from deep and quick passing in the box, makes him team a delight to watch.
Klopp is synonymous with building teams. Klopp inherited a team of average players from Brendan Rodgers and he has converted Liverpool into a magnificent team just the way he did with Borussia Dortmund.
Klopp's style is to stay alert and attack the ball with pressing high up the field, even when the opposition is in possession of the ball. A loss of possession is capitalized with high-speed counter-attack. Closing down the gaps to pass into, makes it difficult for opposition teams.
Who will be returning home with the trophy? Zidane or Klopp?
#5 The Defence
A major reason why Real Madrid has been the dominant club in the past few years, is because of their defense. Liverpool's back four keeps on changing, but they could be rock-solid on their day.
Real Madrid has captain Sergio Ramos marshaling the defense with his interceptions. He is dreaded because of his ability of scoring late goals and winning matches all by himself. He is partnered by Raphael Varane and Nacho in the centre-back position. Marcelo is the best left-back on the planet by far and right-back Daniel Carvajal can be pretty dangerous in crossing positions.
Liverpool's defense has immense potential with the likes of Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip playing as centre-backs along with Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk who can nullify attacks with ease. They have two exciting youngsters - Trent Alexander-Arnold has been superb this season and has been called up into the England squad for the World Cup. Andy Robertson and Alberto Moreno play as the left-backs.
Will Real Madrid go down in history as the first team to win a treble of Champions League trophies? Or will Liverpool win a sixth UCL trophy? Only time will tell.
