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- 2022 UCL Final Preview: Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Francisco Flores – @franciscobcp
Real Madrid beat PSG, Chelsea, and Man City
LFC beat Villareal 5-2, Benfica 6-4, and beat Inter 2-1
Madrid won Group D
LFC beat Group B
Real Madrid came into the season looking like a side that was aging and in decline. However, a La Liga title and a berth in the UCL showpiece has defied expectations. Few expected this side to get as far as it has in Europe’s top club competition, but there’s just something about the aura of Los Blancos that has propelled them through an astonishing campaign filled with comebacks and late goals.
Led by the team’s joint-second all-time leading scorer Karim Benzema (more on him later), Real have battled past Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City to get to this point—a journey that’s seen manager Carlo Ancelotti’s eyebrows put in overtime.
Despite Liverpool being the slight favorite for the match on DraftKings, no one—not even the most ardent of Reds fans—would be comfortable with that tag.
Liverpool are limping toward the finish line after a fantastic season that has featured a remarkable 62 matches. Jurgen Klopp’s side missed out on the Premier League title to Man City by one point—that’s what 28 wins, eight draws and two losses will get yyou in today’s EPL—but have already won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
If fit, Thiago and Fabinho will play vital roles, as will Madrid’s omnipotent midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro. However, it will be the attacking talismans for both teams who will make the difference in this epic encounter. Let’s look more closely at some players you’ll hear from on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been dominated for large parts in all three of their knockout matches against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City. In those six games they lost the total shots count 67-110, the shots on target count 26-40 and the corner count 15-39.
Predictions
RMA-LIV
FF: 2-1 RMA