UEFA Champions League 2018: Everything You Need To Know Before the Final

by Sudeep Ghosh


As one of the most surprising and thrilling UEFA Champions League competitions nears its end, only two teams remain. Liverpool FC and Real Madrid FC will battle for the coveted trophy that determines the best team in Europe on 26th May 2018, in Kiev. Real Madrid FC are the current reigning champions, winning in 2017, as well as 2016, and are now aiming for an incredible three successive trophies. Los Blancos are the most successful team in the history of the competition with an unprecedented 12 wins. Liverpool are the most successful English team in the competition, and third overall, with 5 wins.

Bookmarkers currently have the somewhat struggling Real Madrid side as favourites against a recently developed and inexperienced Liverpool team. However, the Reds should not be written off just yet. Liverpool have scored the most goals in this year’s competition with 40 goals - 10 a piece for feared threesome, Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, meaning that the trio currently occupy the joint-second spot for most individual goals this year. First place, of course, is being held by the greatest goalscorer in Champions League history, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 15 goals this year. Many fans are excited to see the battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah - both of whom are favourites to take home the Ballon d’Or, a trophy awarded to best football player of the season.

Real Madrid have been nowhere near their best this year. They are a shadow of the team that won La Liga and the Champions League last season. With that being said, they have had the more competitive opponents compared to Liverpool on their way to the final, which has included some nail-biting finishes. They quickly dispatched high-spending and dangerous Paris Saint-Germain, 5-2 on aggregate. They then beat 2017 finalists, Juventus FC in an exhilarating and controversial match, which ended with a 97th minute penalty after the scores were level. Real Madrid also struggled in the semi-final against 2013 winners, Bayern Munich FC. The German side had more shots, more passes and more possession over the two legs. Somehow, the result ended 4-3 in Madrid’s favour.

Liverpool, in comparison, have faced less competitive opponents. Their first real challenge came during the quarter-finals when they faced one of the favourites to win the competition, Manchester City. The deadly trio of Firmino, Salah, and Mane came to Liverpool’s aid, as they were all able to get their names on the scoresheet to topple the English champions in a huge upset victory. Their most recent fixture, against Roma FC in the semi-final, ended in a goalscoring galore with 13 goals scored over the two legs. A ridiculous end to the match saw Liverpool’s lead of 7-3, become 7-6, with Roma looking more dangerous by the minute. The Merseyside club were able to hang on, and set up the unexpected final against Real Madrid in Kiev.

The stage is set for a memorable Champions League final, with two teams confident of lifting the prestigious trophy, despite struggling domestically. Real Madrid have the experience in these big games, while Liverpool’s hungry and energetic team have the passion and drive to break down any team with their ruthless attacking football. Although we cannot determine the winner at this stage, we can expect an unforgettable contest next Sunday.