Who will win the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League?

[Maher96]

I think it might be a all English final this year. Liverpool vs City.

 

[Afhan Ali]

I hope city will win it

 

[Kianig89]

Liverpool vs City written all over it
And looks like Liverpool and City are the top 2 teams in Europe

 

[Manunited18]

It's a tricky one to be honest. Both city and Liverpool are fighting on in all fronts, premiership is very taxing compared to the other major leagues as well. So put all that in to the mix and with the possibilities of debryune and walker injuries I'm predicting a Real Madrid v Liverpool final.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Real Madrid are this competitions experts! 13 titles, next is LFC with 6 such is the difference.

Benzema is on fire atm. It will be a tough game for City.

Im going for my team Liverpool. We have the strongest mentality of all the remaining sides and can score more goals than the other 3.

 

[James]

Liverpool again I think.

 

[Firebat]

Manchester City need 2 exception games - Guardiola

Manchester City need "two exceptional games" to overcome Real Madrid and reach the Champions League final, said City boss Pep Guardiola.

Premier League leaders City take on La Liga leaders Real in the first leg of the semi-final at home on Tuesday.

Guardiola's side lost 1-0 to Chelsea in their first Champions League final last season, while Real have been European champions 13 times.

"It is not necessary to say how good Real Madrid are," said Guardiola.

"If we have to compete with their history, we don't have any chance. The history is there, we can't change it, but it's 11 against 11 with one ball moving.

"We will try to be ourselves, compete well. We need to play two exceptional games to reach the final."

Guardiola will make late decisions on the fitness of England defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker, who are both doubts because of injuries.

This is the third time in seven seasons that City have reached the last four, while Real are in the semi-finals for the 10th occasion in 12 years and aiming to win the tournament for the first time since they beat Liverpool 3-1 in the 2018 final.

"It's an honour to be here in the semi-finals against Real Madrid," added Guardiola. "They've been here many times, we have in recent years."

City, who beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 on aggregate over two legs in the quarter-final, are one point ahead of Liverpool with five Premier League games to go, while Real have a 15-point La Liga advantage over Barcelona and only need one more point to be Spanish champions.

The second leg of this semi-final will be played at the Bernabeu on 4 May with the final in Paris on 28 May. Liverpool and Spanish side Villarreal contest the other semi-final, with the first leg at Anfield on Wednesday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61221249

 

[Firebat]

So the first leg of the Man City - Real Madrid semi-final kicks off tonight. Should be an absolute cracker.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Before the quarter-finals happened, I predicted Real Madrid, so I have to stick with them. But it would be epic to see either Yellow Submarine taking the glory or Liverpool winning a treble.

 

[MenInG]

It is the Premier League against La Liga as the Champions League begins a blockbuster semi-final stage this week.

In England's corner are domestic title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, who face Spain's Villarreal and Real Madrid respectively.

Will we see another all-English final? Can Villarreal upset the odds? Is Carlo Ancelotti going to claim his fourth European Cup? BBC Sport looks at the major narratives at play in the final four of Europe's premier club competition.

An all-English final? A double? A quadruple?!

The Premier League is represented by its top two, a pair who have largely swept aside all they have faced this campaign as they go toe-to-toe for every trophy on the table.

City and Liverpool are favourites to win their respective semi-finals and continue England's recent dominance of the Champions League.

After being absent from the final for five seasons between 2013 and 2017, the Premier League has provided five of the past eight finalists, with two of the past three showdowns being all-English affairs.

All-English Champions League finals - 2007-08: Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd (aet) 5-6 on pens, 2018-19: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham, 2020-21: Chelsea 1-0 Man City

For Liverpool, this is familiar territory. They are bidding for a third final in five seasons, having lost to Real Madrid in 2018 before beating Tottenham to lift the trophy 12 months later - their sixth time overall.

They are also hoping the Champions League will be part of a historic quadruple this season. They already have the Carabao Cup in their possession, are through to the FA Cup final and trail City by a single point with five Premier League games remaining.

City are looking for a double themselves while desperately hoping to follow a similar trajectory to the Reds in Europe as they bid to make amends for their agonising 1-0 defeat by Chelsea in last year's final.

They have been wildly successful domestically, but the Champions League has become something of an obsession for big-spending City under Guardiola, who has won it twice before as boss of Barcelona.

Most Champions League semi-final appearances by country

Total Country Clubs
59 Spain Real Madrid 31, Barcelona 16, Atletico Madrid 6, Valencia 2, Villarreal 2, Deportivo La Coruna 1, Real Sociedad 1
46 England Liverpool 12, Man Utd 12, Chelsea 8, Leeds 3, Man City 3, Arsenal 2,  Nottingham Forest 2, Tottenham 2, Aston Villa 1, Derby 1
35 Italy Juventus 12, AC Milan 12, Inter Milan 8, Roma 2, Fiorentina 1

Another Emery 'miracle'?


Unai Emery led Villarreal to their first ever major European trophy last season, also claiming his own fourth Europa League victory
If all you knew of Unai Emery was his disappointing spell as Arsenal boss from 2018 to 2019 or his European struggles at Paris St-Germain prior to that, you might wonder what all the fuss was about.

But the 50-year-old has a stellar reputation in his native Spain, courtesy of his fine work with Valencia, Sevilla and now Villarreal.

It was with the second of those three that he truly earned his 'cup king' tag, leading them to three successive Europa League titles between 2014 and 2016. He added a fourth victory in the competition with his current club last season to earn them a Champions League spot.

"The right man at the right place - he is doing a great job," was European football correspondent Kristof Terreur summary on the BBC's Euro Leagues podcast. "He is an ideal manager for an underdog side. You won't name star players at Villarreal but he builds teams.

"People laugh at him because of what happens at PSG and Arsenal but maybe he just didn't get time. He is a brilliant coach."

This season under him, the 'Yellow Submarine' are responsible for ruthlessly and efficiently sinking two of Europe's giants, beating two-time European champions Juventus in the last 16 and, even more impressively, six-time winners Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Liverpool are the latest European giant in their sights.

European football expert Guillem Balague said: "Villarreal are from a village of 50,000 people but have the fourth biggest wage in Spain. We shouldn't be surprised they are succeeding.

"But it is the semi - you don't get there by chance. Yes, Villarreal have a chance."

Real Madrid helped or hindered by Ancelotti?

Ancelotti has won three European Cups/Champions Leagues - two with AC Milan, one with Real Madrid
Between 2015-16 and 2017-18, Real Madrid were invincible in Europe, winning three successive Champions Leagues under Zinedine Zidane with a squad packed with players at the top of their game.

The current side, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, are not of the same calibre, but do still have some of the stars of that era and certainly know how to win games of football, as their 15-point lead in La Liga attests.

In each of the past two rounds, Real have looked down and out only for one of their superstars to summon something from nowhere and turn their fortunes around.

In the last 16 it was Karim Benzema's second-half hat-trick in the second leg to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win. In the quarters, Chelsea led them 4-3 on aggregate with 10 minutes of the tie left, only for Luka Modric to pull out a wonder pass and set up Rodrygo to level, before Benzema got the winner in extra time.

Ancelotti and Real in the Champions League

Season Stage reached
2013-14 Final (beat Atletico Madrid 4-1)
2014-15 Semi-finals (lost 3-2 on agg to Juventus)
2021-22 Semi-finals (playing Manchester City)

Despite beating the French champions and current Champions League holders, the jury remains out on the degree of positive influence Ancelotti has had on Real's run to the last four.

"If you keep talking about magic nights, miracles and huge turnarounds it is because your gameplan didn't work," said Balague.

"Real Madrid perform those miracles because they have a lot of quality. It is despite Ancelotti."

Ancelotti, on the other hand, is one of only three managers to have won the European Cup/Champions League three times and has won 74% of his 35 games in charge of Real in the Champions League - the best win percentage of any manager with at least 20 games for a single club in the competition.

This will be a record 31st Champions League semi-final for the club, and they are going for an unmatched 17th victory.

"I don't think you can reach the semi-finals so many times and get told there is no logic to it," said Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki.

"Madrid are a team who know how to chase wins. It is a collective effort, everyone who wins deserves to win.

"It is the tactical adjustments that were made when they were dead in the water. It is not despite Ancelotti. The difference between this year and last is Ancelotti."

BBC

 

[Kianig89]

Hopefully the mighty Liverpool
Huge pedigree of European titles and final appearance from Hampden Park to Rome to Istanbul to Madrid

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Liverpool does not deserve to win it. They have only faced tinpot teams.

 

[James]

City v Madrid still in progress at 4-3, one of the greatest CL matches in history surely! It’s just had everything.

 

[Saj]

What a match.

End to end - worthy of a final, not just a semi-final.

2 great sides.

 

[Maher96]

Manchester City remain on course to reach a second successive Champions League final after beating Real Madrid in a thrilling semi-final first leg.

Kevin de Bruyne's diving header and Gabriel Jesus' calm finish gave City a 2-0 lead inside the opening 11 minutes.

Karim Benzema volleyed home for Real, but Phil Foden's header made it 3-1.

Real's Vinicius Jr scored an individual goal, Bernardo Silva blasted in City's fourth before Benzema's chipped penalty following Aymeric Laporte's handball.

City have never won the European Cup or Champions League and lost 1-0 to Chelsea in last season's final, but produced a superb performance to take an advantage to Spain.

However, manager Pep Guardiola will be annoyed they did not secure a wider winning margin after leading 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2, but Benzema's incredible 'Panenka' penalty gave the Spanish league leaders hope of turning the tie around at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, 4 May.

Liverpool face Spanish side Villarreal in this year's other semi-final, with the first leg at Anfield on Wednesday.

The final will be held at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, 28 May.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61221249

 

[MenInG]

Carlo Ancelotti's last visit to Manchester City ended in a 5-0 humiliation in what proved to be the final match of his tenure as Everton manager.

When the legendary Italian manager, 62, turned to his Real Madrid backroom staff with arms outstretched and gave an anxious glance down at his watch with City 2-0 up after only 11 minutes on his return to Etihad Stadium, he was probably fearing a similar scoreline.

City were flying. Real were overwhelmed. This was shaping up as a one-sided mauling for the great old Champions League campaigner chasing the trophy for a historic fourth time.

And yet, to the disbelief of pretty much everyone who witnessed a gold standard classic of a football match, Ancelotti was pitchside after the game smiling, eyebrow raised in trademark fashion suggesting he was rather happy to come away with a 4-3 first leg loss.

He did not look as mystified as others at the fact that Real were still in with a shout of reaching yet another Champions League Final.

City's players were not exactly deflated - how could they be after such a brilliant performance and a semi-final first leg win? However, their body language gave away the brutal fact that they should have had this tie all wrapped up heading into the second leg in the Bernabeu.

This was a breathless night, everything that is good about football at this rarified level and City were, at times, magical.

And yet...

The Bernabeu does strange things in the Champions League and, while City are unlikely to endure the same physical onslaught Atletico Madrid subjected them to in the quarter-final second leg, they will face a severe test with just a one-goal lead.

City let Real off the hook and history tells us this can be a very expensive mistake.

Ancelotti, as well as many of this Real squad, have been over this course and distance before though they will also know they were ripped to shreds for long periods of this game.

But they will also have serious belief they can go through to face either Liverpool or Villarreal in Paris.

The good news for City is that, despite the narrow scoreline, there were times when they outclassed Real, with Luka Modric unable to exert his usual influence in midfield.

City were quicker, slicker, better, more threatening. This is the knowledge they will pack with them on the flight to Madrid.

And yet...

Who knows what sort of lead it takes to finish Real off, backed by the Bernabeu crowd and such a rich history in this competition? Every big night in the grand old arena is accompanied by sense of destiny.

A glimpse of Guardiola's mindset came with City two goals up and Real pretty much floored.

The Spaniard flew into a full-on rage in his technical area when Riyad Mahrez committed the cardinal sin in this manager's book by being too greedy, lashing a shot into the side-netting with Phil Foden waiting unattended in the middle and the goal at his mercy. At 3-0 it could have been job done.

"Riyad. Riyad", Guardiola shouted before continuing the fume. He knows you simply cannot give Real a break and the Spanish giants proved that.

City had a two-goal advantage on three occasions, played wonderful, fluent football but will know there should be no need of those nagging doubts that might have been felt at the final whistle.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

What do you do when you have missed three penalties in the last month? Step up in a Champions League semi-final and score a Panenka, that's what.

At least, that's what Karim Benzema did anyway.

The Real Madrid striker showed nerves of steel as he dinked his spot-kick over Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson to make it 4-3 in their exhilarating first-leg defeat at Etihad Stadium.

The nonchalance summed up a sensational match between two of Europe's heavyweights that showcased relentless attacking football throughout.

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport: "Ice cold, this guy. He has won four Champions League trophies. Even if it was in the last minute, he would've still executed it."

Six days earlier Benzema missed two penalties in Real Madrid's win over Osasuna - but he netted his ninth goal in his last four Champions League games on Tuesday night.

"I always have it in my head that if you don't take a penalty, you will never miss a penalty," said Benzema.

"That's mental confidence, that's all. I have a lot of confidence in myself so I do it and it turns out well.

"Now we have to go to the Bernabeu [for the second leg] and we will need our fans like never before and we are going to do something magical, which is win."

Ex-England striker Alan Shearer laughed on BBC Radio 5 Live commentary as he watched Benzema's penalty go in.

"All I can do is chuckle and think, 'I cannot believe Karim Benzema has just done that.' The sheer arrogance of it but also the belief and the ability to do that," said Shearer.

"He seems to be getting better and better. The audacity! It was incredible."

It was a frantic game at Etihad Stadium as City went 2-0 up within 11 minutes and missed several huge chances before Benzema got one back for Real before half-time.

City's Phil Foden and Real's Vinicius Junior scored in quick succession as the visitors kept fighting back, before Bernardo Silva fired the hosts 4-2 up.

Benzema's late penalty ensured Real go into the second leg with just a one-goal deficit and manager Carlo Ancelotti believes the striker changed it up after missing two spot-kicks last week.

"I think he changed because the last two penalties were not good. He changed and tried it in training. I did not know how he would shoot," said Ancelotti.

"He choose this and it goes really well. He has a strong personality and character. It is not easy in the semi-final of the Champions League to do a penalty like this."

Former Real Madrid and City winger Steve McManaman told BT Sport Benzema would have been in trouble if he had missed.

"He missed two in his last game against Osasuna and he must've thought that Ederson would've been studying where he was trying to put the ball.

"He hasn't done a Panenka so instead of going left or right he must've thought 'now is the time'. They were 4-2 down at the time so he knows he would be criticised to the hilt [if he misses]."

Benzema is now up to 41 goals in all competitions this season, including 14 in the Champions League.

"Let's hope he can end the season well, winning the league, the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or," said team-mate Vinicius.

On this evidence, that does not seem beyond him.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Former Liverpool and Villareal full-back Jose Enrique says the Reds are rightly considered favourites in their Champions League semi-final - but has warned of the danger of writing off their Spanish opponents.

Speaking on Sportsworld, Enrique said: "Villareal are the underdogs, but look at what happened to Bayern, look what happened to Juventus as well.

"They have a very strong line-up and have a very good team.

"Also, Unai Emery knows what he's doing. He's going to play with caution, counter-attacking football, and use Arnaut Danjuma and Samuel Chukwueze - who are very fast - to try and exploit the space.

"He won't try to go 50-50 against Liverpool at Anfield."

Despite the strengths of Villareal, Enrique says he hopes it is Liverpool's season and would love them to win the quadruple.

"They want to make history," he said. "Why wouldn't you try and get all four trophies?

"It's nearly impossible, but I hope Liverpool do it."

 

[MenInG]

'Liverpool will not underestimate Villarreal'

Liverpool v Villarreal (20:00 BST)

Klopp says Liverpool will not underestimate Spain's Villarreal, who knocked out Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and Juventus in the last 16.

"We face a very difficult opponent. They are made for the competition, the way they set-up is really good," the German said.

"There might have been a little advantage in their last two games where Juventus or maybe Bayern Munich might have underestimated them - but that will never happen to us, especially after these four games, there's no chance anymore.

"They are a really good football team who obviously want to be a part of the final but it's the same importance for us."

 

[MenInG]

42 mins
Liverpool 0-0 Villarreal

Tense times at Anfield.

 

[James]

Villarreal parking the bus. Same as Everton did on Sunday.

The Spanish side are seemingly aiming for a 0-0 at Anfield then looking to beat Liverpool in the 2nd leg at their own ground.

 

[MenInG]

45+1 mins
HALF-TIME
Liverpool 0-0 Villarreal

After just one added minute, the half-time whistle blows.

Liverpool have dominated, but Villarreal will be the happier side.

They've set out their stall to defend and it has frustrated the Reds.

 

[silentkiller187]

Two-legged Champions League semi-finals could soon become a thing of the past, reports claim.

UEFA are thought to be considering the idea of hosting both the semi-finals and the final in one week as part of the competition’s new format, which is set to launch for the 2024/25 season.

According to The Times, the European Club Association are preparing to back the idea. UEFA insist no decision has been made yet.

The ‘week of football’ idea would look similar to the Nations League climax, during which the semi-finals and final are played in the same country over five days.

It is understood the Champions League version would take place in one city, with London among a limited number of locations able to host such an event.

The new-style competition is expected to feature ten group games instead of six, which means removing semi-final second legs would ease fixture congestion.

However, if currently in place, one-legged ties would deny fans a second round of Manchester City and Real Madrid’s thriller, perfectly poised at 4-3 to the Premier League side ahead of their trip to the Bernabeu.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the ECA chairman and president of Paris Saint-Germain, is in favour of the idea after the PSG squad gave positive feedback on the 2020 Champions League format, when the final matches were all played in Lisbon due to COVID-19 restrictions.

And UEFA chief Alexsander Ceferin has also spoken fondly of the idea in the past.

Ceferin told The Times in September: “If you look at the Super Bowl, it’s a great event and they do it in a great way. They have concerts and people go there and have fun.

“Even if you lose those two matches you can get more revenue to compensate. It could be a fantastic event for broadcasters, for sponsors.

“In the same week you could have the final of the women’s Champions League or youth competitions, you could really have a fantastic week of football. These knockout matches are different and more exciting.”

https://talksport.com/football/1096518/champions-league-semi-final-second-legs-uefa/

 

[Saj]

Liverpool taking control against Villareal tonight.

2-0 at the moment, could have been more.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Very good performance.

Villareal hardly attacked, they were trying for a goaless game but LFC are just too good.

A bit lucky for the first goal but great skill by Salah and Mane combining for the 2nd.

Not over yet but Villareal will give us more chances at home, we should win that game too.

 

[Maher96]

Liverpool took control of their Champions League semi-final with Villarreal with a deserved first-leg win at Anfield.

The Reds finally broke through when Jordan Henderson's cross was deflected in by Villarreal's Pervis Estupinan.

Sadio Mane doubled the lead when he poked home Mohamed Salah's pass.

Thiago hit the post and Fabinho and Andy Robertson had goals disallowed for offside in a win that should have been by more goals.

BBC

 

[topspin]

I think it'll be a LiVARpool vs Real Madrid UCL final.

 

[ChTab]

Most likely the final is going to be between Liverpool and Madrid. If by any chance it's between Liverpool and City, Liverpool will demolish City.

Much better & equal game expected if it's Real vs Liverpool

 

[James]

Good from Liverpool once again. Another goal or two would have killed this tie, but they are still looking comfortable at 2-0 going into the second leg next week.

What’s clear from last night is that Liverpool are streets ahead of Villarreal in terms of quality, tactics, players, management, and the rest.

There is of course a slight chance of a shock result on Tuesday night and this cannot be entirely discounted.

But more than likely it’s going to be Liverpool facing either Madrid or City in the CL final.

 

[MenInG]

The Spanish duo of Real Madrid and Villarreal will demand a significant say in this matter, but the notion of a Champions League final between Liverpool and Manchester City in Paris is a truly mouthwatering prospect.

And, after the semi-final first legs, the two Premier League thoroughbreds who are conducting their argument on another level will both feel confident they can make what might be a defining date at the Stade de France on 28 May.

Liverpool hold a 2-0 lead over Villarreal after a controlled display of power at Anfield while Manchester City take a more hazardous 4-3 advantage over Real Madrid to the Bernabeu.

They were semi-finals of contrasts but both provided perfect illustrations of why the Premier League is lucky to boast two of the greatest sides of the modern era.

Liverpool, for 53 minutes at least, did not have it easy against Villarreal and their European specialist coach Unai Emery, banging their heads against a yellow wall of defiance until Jordan Henderson's cross took a fortunate deflection off Pervis Estupinan.

It was all this ruthless Liverpool side needed and two minutes later Sadio Mane poked home a second to give them what, logic suggests, will be a decisive advantage.

Liverpool looked in the mood to rub out any hope Villarreal might have had but instead chose to exert iron control, refusing to give up any opportunity to hand Emery's side a lifeline they did not merit in this game.

Manchester City are dealing with much greater jeopardy against Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid, who achieved the quite remarkable feat of being totally outclassed for long periods at Etihad Stadium but still somehow doing enough to have a huge chance of reaching yet another Champions League final.

Liverpool were cool while City were gloriously chaotic, a flawed beauty, ignoring the option of containment to keep pouring forward - and it is these two differing styles that make their rivalry so glorious.

Whatever the evidence of these two games, the two sides are united by the common quality of greatness.

Manchester City hold a narrow lead in the Premier League with Liverpool only one point behind while Klopp's side have the confidence of winning the 2019 Champions League, the trophy that has proved so elusive for City manager Pep Guardiola since he came to England.

City will see Champions League success, especially after the pain of last season's final defeat by another Premier League rival in Chelsea, as affirmation of their status among Europe's elite. Liverpool would regard a seventh triumph as further confirmation of their standing among what their fans call "European royalty".

There is still much to be done but European club football's biggest occasion would be a fitting stage for the latest episode in a storyline that looks like it will run for several years.

It was noticeable that Liverpool manager Klopp steered well clear of his trademark fist pumps in front of the Kop at the conclusion of what was ultimately a comfortable win. It is, as the saying goes, only half-time and he was not going to do anything that might suggest premature celebration.

Villarreal's record in disposing of Juventus and Bayern Munich in the previous rounds will act as a shield against any Liverpool complacency, not that it appears to exist in this team. The way Emery's side were stopped from launching the devastating counter-attacks that have marked their Champions League progress suggest it will take a superhuman feat on their part to come through this to reach the final.

Emery's body language towards the end spoke of a coach who was happy taking a 2-0 defeat, an attitude perhaps shaped by the fear of a heavier beating after Liverpool's one-two pierced their resistance.

In seven days we will know. Champions League combat will resume after the latest round of Premier League fine margins as Liverpool travel to in-form Newcastle United and City face a test at Leeds United.

Liverpool will feel confident of progress at the Estadio de la Ceramica whereas City face the more imposing surroundings of the Bernabeu.

Guardiola must hope Manchester City have not left the door too ajar for Real Madrid, who are adept at squeezing through the smallest spaces in the Champions League, a competition in which they and their legendary coach Ancelotti - looking for his fourth win - believe they are driven by destiny.

If Liverpool and Manchester City prevail, they could put on quite a show in Paris.

BBC

 

[silentkiller187]

Villarreal boss Unai Emery is aware of the size of the challenge facing his side when they host Liverpool on Tuesday, and says they will need "a perfect game" to have a chance of reaching the Champions League final.

The Reds won the semi-final first leg 2-0 thanks to an own goal by Pervis Estupinan and a Sadio Mane strike, with the home side dominant throughout - especially in midfield, where Thiago Alcantara excelled.
"It is a difficult task but we are working on the game," said former Arsenal manager Emery.
"We need to find our excellence in certain things and maybe achieve something no-one has achieved, which is this kind of comeback.

"We will try to find some weak spots, something that no-one has done this season.

"If the player of the match is again a Liverpool player, we will be out, for sure - but if it is one of ours, we can be there."

 

[Amjid Javed]

liverpool vs city final would be best final from a footballing viewing point of view.

 

[James]

Should be a fantastic fixture tonight.

I think 3-1 Liverpool and 5-1 in the tie.

 

[MenInG]

At the moment - Villarreal 1-0 Liverpool (agg: 1-2)

 

[MenInG]

GOAL - Villarreal 2-0 Liverpool (agg: 2-2)
Francis Coquelin

IT'S ALL SQUARE!

It has been coming. A long ball to the right finds Etienne Capoue. He Cruyff turns into space and chips in a cross that is met and headed home by Francis Coquelin. Trent Alexander-Arnold was beaten so easily in the air.

 

[MenInG]

Half-time: Villarreal 2-0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)

 

[Saj]

Liverpool totally outclassed in that first half and with a lot of work to do if they are to go through.

Need a big half time teamtalk from Klopp.

 

[Saj]

Liverpool survived a scare against Villarreal to move into the Champions League final - and keep their hopes of winning an unprecedented quadruple alive.

The Reds had comfortably won 2-0 in the first leg but that advantage was wiped out after only 41 minutes at a noisy and passionate El Madrigal as the Spanish side pushed for a huge upset.

Boulaye Dia scored Villarreal's first after only three minutes, converting Etienne Capoue's pass, before ex-Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin headed in a second from another Capoue cross as the Reds looked rattled.

Liverpool had to improve in the second half and Fabinho put them back in front on aggregate with a shot that went through the legs of Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli in the 62nd minute.

Luis Diaz, whose introduction at half time changed the game after he replaced Diogo Jota, restored Liverpool's two-goal aggregate advantage with a header at the back post.

Sadio Mane secured Liverpool's place in their third Champions League final in five seasons with a third goal after taking the ball around Rulli. Villarreal ended the game with 10 men with Capoue sent off late on for two bookable offences.

The Reds will play either Manchester City or Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, 25 May.

No English side has ever won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup all in the same season, with Liverpool aiming to create history.

 

[Bewal Express]

Liverpool were on the ropes but after a rocket from Klopp, they came back strongly.

 

[Firebat]

Man City & Real Madrid set for enthralling decider

Manchester City will attempt to reach a second successive Champions League final on Wednesday with the away leg of their semi-final against Real Madrid - after one of the best games in the tournament's history in the first leg.

City, who lost 1-0 to Chelsea in last year's final, hold a narrow advantage after a 4-3 victory at Etihad Stadium.

Real have been European champions 13 times and won La Liga at the weekend.

The winners will play Liverpool in the final in Paris on 28 May.

In an incredible first leg, goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus gave City, aiming to become European champions for the first time, a 2-0 lead after 11 minutes before Karim Benzema pulled one back after 33 minutes.

Phil Foden took City 3-1 ahead early in the second half only for Vinicius Jr to score two minutes later.

For a third time, City gained a two-goal advantage following Bernardo Silva's goal before Benzema scored an audacious chipped 'Panenka' penalty late on to leave the tie well balanced.

"It was a lovely open game," said City boss Pep Guardiola. "We were happy, it could have been better but also a lot worse."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61312216

 

[James]

What was the Villarreal goalkeeper doing in that second half. Lol

Had the mother of all shockers.


Great comeback from Liverpool.

 

[MenInG]

For 45 minutes on Tuesday Liverpool's hopes of reaching the Champions League final looked in serious jeopardy.

They were outplayed during the first half of their semi-final second leg in Villarreal, the Reds producing surely their worst half of the season in a game that threatened to derail their quadruple hopes.

But - as is so often the case - Jurgen Klopp's side found a way.

Liverpool looked in control of the tie after a comfortable 2-0 win last week at Anfield but the Spanish side cancelled out that lead by the break.

At the hour mark it was still 2-2 on aggregate, but Fabinho, half-time substitute Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane scored to send Liverpool to Paris - where they will play either Real Madrid or Manchester City.

The turnaround in Villarreal means:

Liverpool are the first English club to reach the final of the European Cup/Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup in the same season.
The Reds will play in every game available to them this season - winning the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup final (where they will play Chelsea) and the Champions League final.
They can still become the first English team to win a quadruple of Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.
'Our minds were not right' - Klopp's decisive half-time intervention
Klopp revealed after the game that he asked Peter Krawietz at half-time to show a clip of something his players did well during the first half so they could replicate that in the second period - but the assistant manager could not find one.

They trailed 2-0 to goals from Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin and had not had a shot on target themselves.

"The problem at half-time was that we knew what was wrong because it was obvious but we didn't have a situation to show where we did it right," Klopp said.

"I said to Krawietz 'find one where we do well and we can show it'. He came in and said 'nah, don't have it'.

"So it was a big half-time but it was about how the boys reacted. We were calm and we are still here.

"We did not play football at all. I told the boys 'they have momentum but they don't own it, we can get it back'. When we broke the lines and found spaces and were more flexible and not fixed on positions, all of a sudden we were in the game. We scored goals and made it happen.

"What I said was about football, where we had to play, where we had to move, where we had to be brave, change momentum, going in behind and in between. It was a football problem and you solve it with football.

"After three minutes [of the first half] our minds were not right. We were in a rush and felt the pressure. You have to force your own football through and in the second half we did that."

The Reds had only had three touches in Villarreal's box and completed 36.2% of their passes in the final third of the first half, just a week after a performance so dominant at Anfield that Villarreal's approach was described as "pathetic" by one radio pundit.

On Klopp's half-time team talk, Reds defender Virgil van Dijk told BT Sport: "He told us to play football, the Liverpool way, how we have all season.

"They play a high line so with the speed we have we needed to mix it up. Also we needed to show how much we wanted to go to the final. In the second half we dominated."

Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold added: "We regrouped at half-time and got the game by the scruff of the neck. We did what we needed to do.

"We never played football in that first half and didn't pick up any second balls. They played the game they wanted to and we allowed them to do that. In the second half we controlled the game better."

The introduction of Diaz at half-time was a major turning point. The Colombia forward, who replaced Diogo Jota, scored the Reds' equaliser on the night - the goal that pretty much wrapped up the tie.

In 45 minutes he had more shots - four - than anybody else managed in the whole game. His passing accuracy of 90% was better than any Reds player bar late substitute James Milner.

"Diaz made a big difference," said BBC Radio 5 Live co-commentator Chris Sutton.

"He's been a revelation. We talk about players needing time to bed in but he's settled in immediately."

The £37.5m January signing has scored five goals since his move from Porto.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport: "Diaz was the difference maker. He was mesmeric. He's a fabulous player and one of - if not the - signing of the season for me."

Ex-Reds striker Michael Owen added: "I've never seen a guy come in and hit the ground running like him. To pick up the way Liverpool play straight away like he has is incredible. And now there is no question about it, he's a starter."

Liverpool are now only six games from an unprecedented English quadruple - albeit they trail Premier League leaders Manchester City by a point with four games remaining and need their rivals to slip up.

Only Celtic, in 1966-67, have ever won a European Cup, league title, cup and league cup in a season - albeit most countries do not have two domestic cups.

Since Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool in 2017 they have won three trophies - the 2018-19 Champions League, 2019-20 Premier League and this season's Carabao Cup.

They had only won three trophies in the 13 years before his arrival.

The Egyptian, who is the Reds' top scorer this season on 30 goals, said: "We fight for everything. We win one trophy, now we are in another final, we keep fighting in the Premier League.

"The quadruple is the target now. Maybe not at the start of the season. I am always honest and focus on the Champions League and Premier League. But now, why not? After we beat City in the FA Cup semi-final [I thought it was on].

"After the group stage I thought 'OK, we are going to win the Champions League this year'.

"I want to play Madrid [in the final]. City is a really tough team."

Klopp added: "It's really difficult to reach three finals, that's probably why nobody has done it before. When the finals show up in the schedule we will make sure we're ready for it, but we play incredibly strong teams in these finals, so we will give it a go but it's difficult."

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke to the media to preview the Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid .

Here are the key points from his news conference:

Kyle Walker trained with the squad today and decision on whether he can play or not will be made on matchday. John Stones is not available.

On Real Madrid: "These are two good teams. We saw it one week ago when we played. They are the champions of Spain."

Guardiola added that he's no idea how the game at the Bernabeu will pan out: "We can play much worse and win. Sometimes you get something you don't deserve."

Guardiola was quizzed heavily by Spanish journalists on whether Real's La Liga title win at the weekend would have any impact: "No. It [the Champions League] is separate. I'm not thinking about that."

 

[MenInG]

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti his side will need more than just character to come from behind against Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Madrid trail 4-3 after the first leg and head into Wednesday's game looking for another comeback - as they have already done against Chelsea and Paris St-Germain in the competition this season.

Ancelotti said his side will have to gamble if they are to repeat their heroics and reach a first Champions League final since 2018.

The Italian said: "If we sit deep, we won't concede 99 shots and if we get into their box they are going have a go at us but sometimes you have to take risks.

"In these games we have scored a lot. Four against PSG, five against Chelsea, three against City, so we have the quality to take risks.

"You don't get to a final only with your heart. Personality is an important part but you need individual quality, collective commitment, you need all this to reach a final, one of these things won't be enough to get to the final.

"The players are looking good. We know it is going to be difficult, but we feel confident. We do have a little bit of a disadvantage, but that is something we will address tomorrow.

"We will see a great game between two great teams with great players, but they are also different teams"

BBC

 

[KingKhanWC]

3 Champions League finals in 5 years! Genius boss

Real Madrid would be my preferred team in the final! Revenge is needed

City need to start quick , grab a goal early otherwise with Benzema, Real are very dangerous.

Should be another cracker of a game.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Real 0 - 0 City

A very different game from the first leg.

Game on for both, the next goal is crucial.

 

[Saj]

Another incredible match between Real Madrid and Man City

2 goals in a minute for City.

5-5 on aggregate at the moment.

 

[James]

Real now 6-5 up…

 

[Saj]

Liverpool and Real Madrid showing why they are 2 of the best sides in the world.

They are never beaten, never give up.

Should be a cracking final.

 

[Saj]

Manchester City suffered one of the most remarkable Champions League collapses as Real Madrid came back from the abyss to set up a final showdown with Liverpool.

City were two goals ahead on aggregate going into the 90th minute after Riyad Mahrez's strike had added to their 4-3 first-leg win last week.

And then Rodrygo happened.

The Brazilian substitute turned home Karim Benzema's left-wing ball from close range in the final minute - with Real's very first shot on target.

And 90 seconds later he levelled the tie with a header into the top corner after Marco Asensio flicked on Dani Carvajal's cross.

City, who thought they were going through to a second consecutive all-English Champions League final, were shell-shocked.

Both sides had chances to win the tie before the full-time whistle. Ederson denied Rodrygo a quick-fire hat-trick and then an unmarked Phil Foden fired over inside the box.

And so to extra time the game went - and it was Real who got the decisive goal in yet another classic Champions League tie.

Benzema beat Ruben Dias to a loose ball in the box and was brought down by the City defender. He stepped up to take the penalty himself and scored his 43rd goal of the season. There is no doubt it is the most important.

Real's Thibaut Courtois, who was by far the busier keeper, tipped away Foden's header with Fernandinho inches away from scoring the rebound - but City could not find a goal to send it to penalties.

That sets up a repeat of the most memorable Champions League final of recent years, when Real beat Liverpool 3-1 in 2018.

For City and manager Pep Guardiola now, the Premier League title - they sit one point above Liverpool with four games to go - is their only target.

 

[Azzurri]

City is cursed

 

[KingKhanWC]

City is cursed

2 goals in front into the 90th min but bottled it. Madrid players were worn out, tired while City players were still fresh but lost all concentration. It was almost as if they were looking to the final, never believing any comeback could come in injury time. You dont deserve to win anything if you play with such a laid back attitude thinking its all over before the final whistle.

 

[in_cutter]

As I predicted, City have choked. Certified chokers.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Liverpool and Real Madrid showing why they are 2 of the best sides in the world.

They are never beaten, never give up.

Should be a cracking final.

A repeat of 2018. Liverpool will be licking their lips at the prospect of revenge against Madrid. We are a far superior team now while Madrid have declined. If we keep Junior and Benzema in check, it should be ours to lose.

If Liverpool go into the final with 3 trophies and then win the CL, it will be the greatest night in the clubs history even for such as decorated club.

 

[Firebat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We have a score to settle. <a href="https://t.co/MWxfhIIW78">pic.twitter.com/MWxfhIIW78</a></p>— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoSalah/status/1521975634100117505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ARK Rafay]

This trophy has Real Madrid written all over it

 

[ChTab]

Real Madrid not going to lose it now they have an incredible record in CL. They're truly the KINGS of Europe Liverpool not going to win this one but they will win the league because City will slip up after this crushing defeat.

 

[ChTab]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We have a score to settle. <a href="https://t.co/MWxfhIIW78">pic.twitter.com/MWxfhIIW78</a></p>— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoSalah/status/1521975634100117505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Liverpool would have been the favorites if the finalists were any other team than Real Madrid.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Liverpool would have been the favorites if the finalists were any other team than Real Madrid.

Liverpool are the favourites with every bookmaker.

No doubt Real Madrid are a dangerous side but we are superiour. If we start with the usual energy, we will score a few goals against their defence.

My prediction 3-1 LFC.

 

[MenInG]

Man City CL exit 'not cool' - Klopp

Klopp on Man City losing in the Champions League: "City are good. It was a massive blow for them, that was really harsh. I've had nights like that, it's not cool, the next morning, not cool, but then there's a moment you have to focus. They will be ready for Newcastle on Sunday."

On facing Real Madrid after the 2018 final defeat: "When we lost that final, my solution would have been to play final next year against Real Madrid but we played Tottenham in Madrid. Seems to be our destiny.

"It was strange and unlucky for City but what Madrid did was outstanding. They got through vs PSG, Chelsea and City, if you know out those three you definitely deserve to be in final. It will be great."

 

[James]

<b>Champions League final: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp questions ticket allocation</b>

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has questioned why almost half the tickets for the Champions League final against Real Madrid are not allocated to the clubs.

Klopp's side face the Spanish giants on 28 May and have 19,618 tickets to sell.

That is 26.1% of the 75,000 capacity on the night at Paris' Stade de France.

Klopp said: "Is it right that we only get 20,000, they get 20,000 and there's 75,000 in? That makes 35,000 left over. Where are these tickets?"

Uefa sell 12,000 tickets to fans worldwide but the window for these sales closed on 28 April, days before Liverpool and Real Madrid fans knew their team was in the final.

The remaining 23,000 tickets will be distributed to national associations, commercial partners, broadcasters, and Uefa's official hospitality programme.

Hospitality tickets have now sold out but were still available on Thursday, ranging in price on Uefa's website from 4,900 euros (£4,178) to 8,900 euros (£7,590).

The 19,618 tickets Liverpool have been allocated are priced between £50.32 and £578.63. About 21% of their allocation - so about 4,000 tickets - are priced at £410.91 or higher.

Liverpool supporters union Spirit of Shankly said fans were tired of "being ripped off".

In an open letter to Uefa they said: "In standing up to the failed Super League, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said 'I can't understand how you can see your fans protesting and you don't care. You are full of money anyway, you're not poor, but you want more and more and more.'

"Well Mr Ceferin, Liverpool fans are protesting and you don't seem to care. Uefa are not poor, but you seem to want more."

Liverpool have officially advised fans not to travel without a ticket but Klopp has said Paris "is big enough" if fans do.

The German previously drew criticism when he encouraged fans to travel to Basel to create a party atmosphere for a Europa League final during his first season at the club.

"The tickets are really expensive and I cannot be more appreciative or more thankful of what the people are doing," Klopp added.

"I hope they all can make it somehow and can create - of course they will - an incredible atmosphere.

"If you don't get a ticket, I don't want to invite people to Paris but this time it's big enough and I did this last time for Basel in Switzerland and it was 'oops'.

"But I think Paris is big enough to go there without a ticket and have a good time, behave yourself but be in the best possible mood."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/61354435

 

[Firebat]

Champions League: Premier League could have up to seven clubs in competition as part of overhaul

The Champions League could feature five English clubs on a regular basis from 2024 - and up to seven in exceptional circumstances - after a major overhaul of the competition was agreed on Tuesday.

More than a year of intense debate about the best way forward for Europe's premier club competition following the collapse of the Super League has concluded, with UEFA deciding to award two places in a new, expanded 36-team league system to clubs from the two countries who collectively performed best in Europe's club competitions in the previous season.

England would have gained an extra place in four of the last five seasons had this system been in use.

In theory seven English teams could qualify in a single season in this new model - the top four in the Premier League, a fifth-placed team via the country coefficient and the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League, if these were all different clubs.

A senior UEFA official described this scenario as being "as likely as a meteorite hitting this room" but it is nevertheless a possibility.

UEFA ditched an original proposal to award places based on an individual club's performance in Europe over the past five seasons, which critics said created a safety net for big clubs who performed poorly domestically and had echoes of the Super League.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin lauded the agreement as proof that European football was "more united than ever", but there remain some questions about just how open the new competition will be.

The current coefficient scoring system awards bonus points for Champions League group-stage qualification, which means those countries which already benefit from four places are at an advantage from the start. Senior UEFA sources said there are no plans as it stands to review that system.

Domestic leagues will also have questions about how these plans will impact their competitions, both in terms of arguably reducing interest by widening the Champions League race and the more pragmatic concerns around match scheduling.

Last year UEFA's executive committee approved an increase in matches from six in the current format to 10, but that has been cut to eight amid pressure from domestic leagues and fans' groups.

Teams will face eight different opponents, playing four home games and four away games on a seeded basis in the new 36-team league.

But even that more moderate increase still means Champions League matches in January for the first time, a period which has traditionally been reserved for domestic football in England. A senior Premier League source said the conversations around the new format were "not over yet".

UEFA has ruled out the 'week of football' concept which had been reported, saying it will stick with two-leg semi-finals in its new plan, hot on the heels of the classic second-leg clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City at the Bernabeu.

Clubs from the same country will be able to meet sooner in the new format - now they can clash in the newly-introduced play-off round which will decide the final eight places in the last 16, rather than the quarter-finals currently.

In all, the new format means 64 extra matches, from the current 125 to 189.

The country coefficient proposal was put to the European Club Association's board in Madrid on Monday, and the initial indications were that it would not be possible to make a final decision in Vienna.

However, progress was made on Tuesday morning, with the crucial UEFA club competitions committee meeting put back by an hour to allow time for further negotiation.

Ceferin added: "UEFA has clearly shown today that we are fully committed to respecting the fundamental values of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merit, fully in line with the values and solidarity-based European sports model.

"Today's decisions conclude an extensive consultation process during which we listened to the ideas of fans, players, coaches, national associations, clubs and leagues to name but a few, with the aim to find the best solution for the development and success of European football, both domestically and on the international club stage.

"We are convinced that the format chosen strikes the right balance and that it will improve the competitive balance and generate solid revenues that can be distributed to clubs, leagues and into grassroots football across our continent while increasing the appeal and popularity of our club competitions."

Revenue for the new competitions is projected to increase by almost 40 per cent, but discussions on the financial distribution model for the 2024-27 cycle - and how much goes to support clubs outside European competition - will now begin in earnest.

The two additional extra places in the group stage will go to a third club from the fifth-ranked association - currently France - and to a further domestic league winner qualifying via the 'champions path'.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...en-champions-league-spots-as-part-of-overhaul

 

[MenInG]

The distribution and pricing of Champions League final tickets is "the system that works" as it aids clubs, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin says.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp asked why almost half of the 75,000 tickets for the game against Real Madrid in Paris are given to sponsors and officials.

Most Liverpool tickets are £125 or more and 93.5% of revenue goes to the clubs.

"For us, not much will change if all tickets are 10 euros but it will change a lot for the clubs," said Ceferin.

"It's the system that works, and clubs couldn't function differently."

Liverpool ticket allocation about 26.1% of Stade de France capacity
Liverpool will play Real Madrid at the Stade de France on 28 May.

Each club has received 19,618 tickets while a further 12,000 were put on general sale via a ballot, which closed before the semi-final second legs were played.

More than one-fifth of Liverpool's allocation will cost between £410 and £578.

But Ceferin argued that the system benefits clubs financially.

"I explained the same thing to one of the coaches of the two teams a couple of days ago and I can do it here," said Ceferin at the Uefa congress in Vienna.

"I explained it to him a bit more and took much more time because I went through every single number.

"From the revenues from the finals, Uefa gets 6.5% and 93.5% goes to the clubs. From the other matches, 100% of the revenues goes to the clubs.

"Fans of both teams get 20,000 tickets each. Sponsors that pay 100 or more million euros sponsorship - of which 93.5% goes to the same clubs - get some tickets. It's part of a contractual obligation that we have.

"Uefa doesn't get more tickets than the others. Some tickets go to the market, some tickets go to the fans and some go to the partners. It's not Uefa. I'm not giving tickets for free to my friends or selling to my friends."

Ceferin added that any prospect of a European Super League "is over", with Uefa having this week agreed a new 'Swiss-style' format for the Champions League from the 2024-25 season.

Twelve of Europe's biggest clubs signed up for the proposed competition last April, only for the project to collapse within days following a backlash from players and fans, as well as governments and football's governing bodies.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus remain open to the concept, but Ceferin said: "I don't like to call it Super League because it's everything but Super League.

"For me, this project is over once and for all, or at least for 20 years. I don't know what will happen later."

BBC

 

[Firebat]

Liverpool v Real Madrid: Champions League final not about revenge for 2018, says Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool's Champions League final against Real Madrid is not about revenge for the Spanish side's victory in 2018, says manager Jurgen Klopp.

Saturday's Paris showpiece is a repeat of the final four years ago in Kyiv, which Madrid won 3-1.

Forward Mohamed Salah, who went off injured in that match after a tussle with Sergio Ramos, has said Liverpool have a "score to settle".

"This was a harsh night for us - it was tough to take," said Klopp.

"But I don't believe in revenge or think revenge is a fantastic idea," he added.

"I understand what Mo said - he wants to put it right. But in Germany we say you always meet twice in life.

"If we get the chance to win it this time it will be a great story, but it will not be because of what happened in 2018."

Salah's comments came after Real Madrid dramatically beat Manchester City in the semi-finals. On Wednesday he said he was "motivated through the roof after what happened last time".

The Spanish champions won in 2018 thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and two by Gareth Bale, including a spectacular overhead kick.

Salah left the field in tears after injuring his shoulder in the 30th minute having been pulled down by centre-back Ramos, who has since joined Paris St-Germain.

A year later Liverpool beat Tottenham in the final in Madrid to win the European crown.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61584410

 

[Firebat]

Thiago has a 'good chance' of being fit

Klopp also said Thiago Alcantara has a "good chance" of recovering to play at Stade de France.

The Spain midfielder was substituted at half-time of the Reds' 3-1 win over Wolves in their final Premier League game on Sunday with an Achilles injury.

"He will train this afternoon," Klopp said.

"At the moment it looks like he can be part of training tomorrow. That would be really helpful.

"It's surprisingly good. After the game I was not really positive about it, but we got news that night that it doesn't look that bad. We will see."

 

[ChTab]

Liverpool are the favourites with every bookmaker.

No doubt Real Madrid are a dangerous side but we are superiour. If we start with the usual energy, we will score a few goals against their defence.

My prediction 3-1 LFC.

What happened to your prediction?

This victory is so sweet because it humiliated the arrogant fans & players of Liverpool who thought they have already won the title as soon as they reached the Final. This is CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, this is REAL MADRID's trophy.