It is well known that the small
details can decide a final and the one on Saturday is full of arguments for and
against both Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Below are the 10 main keys to
deciding the outcome of the final in Kiev.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid need goals and
leadership on the pitch and need look no further than the man who has scored 15
in the Champions League their season and who notched two in last year's final.
He didn't score in the semi-final
against Bayern Munich, but the Portugal international is crucial again.
2. Mohamed Salah
Liverpool's star man is in the
form of his life and can truly become a contender for the Ballon d'Or with
victory.
Alongside Roberto Firmino and
Sadio Mane, the Reds have one of the most deadly tridents in the game with a
record breaking 29 goals between them in 14 games in this year's competition.
3. Goalkeepers
Keylor Navas proved his critics
wrong with his man of the match display in the semi-final second leg against
Bayern Munich, while doubts still surround Loris Karius.
"He makes mistakes and has a
habit of badly palming shots away, creating more danger," said
ex-Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson of the team's shot-stopper.
4. Marcelo
It's no secret that his technique
and unpredictability make Marcelo a threat in attack, but Salah will look to
exploit any gaps he leaves behind him and the Brazilian will have no choice but
to be more disciplined.
5. Possession
Neither of these sides need
possession to win, as was reflected in the semi-finals, but it will be valuable
for the reigning champions, who can protect themselves whilst on the ball.
6. The rhythm of the match
Liverpool will be desperate to
exploit any increase in speed and get in behind as Los Blancos get down the
wings.
Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco
will look to dominate the ball and keep the pace slow, without the frantic tos
and fros that Liverpool will hope for.
7. Gareth Bale
He could be Zinedine Zidane's secret
weapon.
It would be a risk given he lacks
the discipline of some teammates, but it could pay off spectacularly.
8. Hunger
Real Madrid can make it three
Champions League titles in a row and four in five years, but are the team
already satisfied or do they still have a competitive drive for more?
Liverpool's hunger is insatiable,
but after 13 years without victory in the competition they lack experience.
9. Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool's coach is one of the
best in the world and it's only five years since his Borussia Dortmund side
humiliated Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid with a 4-1 win.
Few men can exploit Real Madrid's
weaknesses as Klopp can.
Just ask Pep Guardiola and
Manchester City.
10. The referee
Serbian official Milorad Mazic,
who is 45-years old, will take charge of the biggest game of his life to date.
The pressure will be on, particularly given other controversies in this season's competition.
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