Previews
VIE 25.05.2018
Two of European football's grand old names are set to go head-to-head in Kiev. The battle for the 2017/18 Champions League title pits two of the continent's most storied clubs, Real Madrid and Liverpool FC, against one another. They have won the competition 17 times between them – Los Blancos have 12 European Cups in their trophy cabinets compared to the Reds' five – but only one of them can add to their tally in the Ukrainian capital.
Zinedine Zidane's two-time defending champions, whohave lifted the trophy in three of the last four seasons, knocked out heavyweights in the shape of Paris Saint-Germain FC, Juventus FC and FC Bayern Munich en route to the final. However, they are sure to be given a tough test by a Liverpool team who boast one of the most fearsome frontlines in Europe, with Senegalese livewire Sadio Mane, Brazilian ace Roberto Firmino and Egyptian wizard Mohamed Salah all posing a massive threat.
"I'm delighted to be involved in another final. Every moment today and tomorrow is unique and won't come around again, so we've got to make the most of it. It's another opportunity. We're not favourites and neither are Liverpool; it's 50-50. We're going to have to produce a great performance to win it. In the dressing room, we don't believe we're favourites by any means," Zidane said at his pre-match press conference.
The encounter is a repeat of the 1981 European Cup final and Real Madrid will be out to avenge a 1-0 defeat on that occasion. It also represents the chance for Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and co. to keep writing their names in history and, in the process, to continue LaLiga Santander's dominance in Europe hot on the heels of Atletico Madrid's Europa League triumph a week and a half ago.
© LALIGA - 2018