The league campaigns might be done and dusted but the biggest prize of them is still up for grabs as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face Champions of Europe, Real Madrid, in a clash of the giants in the UCL final this Saturday. Zinedine Zidane will believe that his side’s experience in the past two finals in the competition will give them an edge.
But they are up against a side that have lost just one game in all of their European campaign. The manager needs to have certain plans for certain players and will need each and every starter to be at their best for the entire game. But who will be crucial for Los Blancos?
Here are three players whose performances will be crucial for Real to lift the third UCL title on the trot in Ukraine:
#3 Marcelo
Arguably the best left-back in the world at the moment, Marcelo is an adventurous defender, who loves to create chances and push opponents back. He has been recently caught out of position a number of times and he cannot let that happen when he takes on Liverpool.
He will be up against an in-form winger in Mohamed Salah on the wing and if he cannot keep his attacking instincts in check, he could end up leaving his backline exposed constantly.
If Liverpool manage to push him back, they will certainly have a better shot at winning this game.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
For obvious reasons, Ronaldo needs to fire on all cylinders in this final. He simply loves the big occasion and will be pumped up and he might be partnered with Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema, both of who have also found some form recently.
Ronaldo will look to trouble the likes of Dejan Lovren and young Trent Alexander-Arnold, both of who are playing their first UCL final. They are the weak links in this Liverpool side and will have to be exploited by the Portuguese.
#1 Keylor Navas
Having earned himself a reputation for making mistakes in crucial times, Navas had a superb time against Bayern Munich in the semi-final and was rested for the league game last weekend.
He remains Zidane’s best choice under the bar and will certainly be tested by the most productive front line in Europe, in this final.
He must make sure that he does not put a foot wrong and Real will also need him to pull off some saves if they are to win this tie comfortably.
