Real Madrid’s four keys to victory in the Champions League Final
By Hasan Karim
After a long and tumulous season, we’re now just days away from the Champions League Final. Despite the uncertainty during the group stage, the incredible performances and knife-edge moments, the entire season comes down to this one single game. Victory will see this season remembered, however, a loss could send shockwaves through the club. This is certainly an all or nothing game for Real Madrid. Here are the four keys to victory!
Lockdown the flanks
Liverpool’s main prowess is down the flanks. With the mercurial form of Mo Salah as well as his sidekick Saido Mane’s blistering pace, they cannot be left with any space, which is something Marcelo, as well as Dani Carvajal, tend to do.
It is known that both the Brazilian and the Spaniard like to attack up the field and they are both extremely effective in doing so. However, they can also be caught trying to return from attacks which will, in-tune, leave both Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos stretched.
Against Liverpool, this must be prevented.
While Zidane has shown his preference for the diamond formation, it would be the wrong choice to start in this match. Madrid must operate with two wide players from the first whistle in Kiev to support Marcelo and Carvajal.
The best option for this is most likely a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-3-3. The extra man in the wide position would mean that there is always somebody to track back, perhaps starting Marco Asensio, Lucas Vasquez, or Gareth Bale in the wide position with Cristiano Ronaldo up top would be the best option.
While this means Isco would likely have to sit deeper than usual, it would be the best option for controlling the flow of the game and also nullifying the wide threat posed by the Merseyside outfit.