Champions League Final - Heavy Metal & Los Merengues

67YAZ

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 1, 2000
8,730
May 26! I’m already a ball of nerves. Cannot wait.

The big question here is, how will Madrid line up? I’ve been looking at Zidane’s 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 set ups, and both seem to have real gaps that Liverpool can exploit especially if Carvajal is still out.

That said, as awesome as TAA has been, dealing with Ronaldo and Marcelo is another level, especially if Salah stays high to try to exploit the space Marcelo leaves. If Wijnaldum is asked to slide over and help cover the flank, Benzema or Isco might be able to make a lot of trouble in the middle.

But really, who knows? It’s going to bombastic and my gut tells me Liverpool will be up 2 with a half hour to go...and I can’t imagine being in a more nerve wracking spot.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
SoSH Member
Mar 24, 2008
7,204
The only thing that seems likely is that it will be high scoring. Seems like the goal O/U needs to be set at 7.5.
 

allstonite

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 27, 2010
2,472
Is Liverpool expected to have some of their midfield depth back by then? I know Lallana travelled to Rome and has been in some training sessions but he didn't make the bench yesterday. I would hope he would be back. Ox is out long term but will Can be ready? I'd be fine with the same lineup but having some depth with more experience on the bench would be nice.
 

Mighty Joe Young

The North remembers
SoSH Member
Sep 14, 2002
8,401
Halifax, Nova Scotia , Canada
Is Liverpool expected to have some of their midfield depth back by then? I know Lallana travelled to Rome and has been in some training sessions but he didn't make the bench yesterday. I would hope he would be back. Ox is out long term but will Can be ready? I'd be fine with the same lineup but having some depth with more experience on the bench would be nice.
I think Klopp indicated Lallana should probably be available against Chelsea and definitely against Brighton. He was more iffy concerning Can.
 

Zososoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 30, 2009
9,209
South of North
Varane ruled out of the final. That is absolutely immense. Other than Modric, I think this is the biggest lost that could've happened. Ronaldo would've also been a huge loss obviously, but with Asensio, Isco, Benz, Bale, etc. the attack can survive. At the pivot both Casemiro and Kovacic are serviceable (although Casemiro is still better IMO). Varane is incredibly talented, skilled, and fast. Him and Ramos have formed an excellent partnership. Lots of defensive drilling against fast players the next few weeks.
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
Lovren scares me. He has performance anxiety. he's improved having VVD around him but he still gets overly mobile in certain situations. I can see Liverpool scoring in the final, but I'm not sure they know how to take the sting out of a game. It's not easy. But it's doable.

A few years ago Walter Smith got a fairly average Rangers team to the final of the Uefa Cup. He was a master at smothering the life out of a game. It's not a case of changing the natural way a team plays but there are things you can do...and it can be very effective. When Leicester won the league they were really good at it too.

When the other team are pressing for an advantage cos they need to score, always have options in your own third or half, and never be afraid to put the ball out for a throw in. It's amazing how often the team with the throw in loses possession after the throw in has been made.

Too often i see players clear the ball by punting it outfield...i think it is always better to punt it diagonally forwards towards towards the throw in line and out. Basic game management can go a long way. I think Liverpool can score twice against any team, Madrid are no exception.
 

67YAZ

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 1, 2000
8,730
Varane ruled out of the final. That is absolutely immense. Other than Modric, I think this is the biggest lost that could've happened. Ronaldo would've also been a huge loss obviously, but with Asensio, Isco, Benz, Bale, etc. the attack can survive. At the pivot both Casemiro and Kovacic are serviceable (although Casemiro is still better IMO). Varane is incredibly talented, skilled, and fast. Him and Ramos have formed an excellent partnership. Lots of defensive drilling against fast players the next few weeks.
That does change things a good bit for Zidane. Time and again I see Ramos sweeping up behind Marcelo while Varane covers the middle. A team can only rely on their CBs like that when the pair have great trust, communication, and world class athleticism. Nacho is no slouch, but against Liverpool is Salah bombing down the left, Firmino crashing the box, and Mané cutting into the back post. That’s a tall order, particularly is Lucas Vasquez is still subbing in at RB.

If I’m Zidane, I’d lean toward the 4-3-3 to get both Modric and Kroos in the game. Those two have the skill to consistently counter Liverpool’s press, whether it’s quick short passes or balls over the top. But this would mean no Isco, giving Liverpool a man advantage in the midfield & contesting things even further.

Or maybe this isn’t a chess match at all, more of a good old fashioned rock fight.
 

Zososoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 30, 2009
9,209
South of North
That does change things a good bit for Zidane. Time and again I see Ramos sweeping up behind Marcelo while Varane covers the middle. A team can only rely on their CBs like that when the pair have great trust, communication, and world class athleticism. Nacho is no slouch, but against Liverpool is Salah bombing down the left, Firmino crashing the box, and Mané cutting into the back post. That’s a tall order, particularly is Lucas Vasquez is still subbing in at RB.

If I’m Zidane, I’d lean toward the 4-3-3 to get both Modric and Kroos in the game. Those two have the skill to consistently counter Liverpool’s press, whether it’s quick short passes or balls over the top. But this would mean no Isco, giving Liverpool a man advantage in the midfield & contesting things even further.

Or maybe this isn’t a chess match at all, more of a good old fashioned rock fight.
Even in a 4-4-2, those two will be included in the XI. In fact, other than Ramos, Marcelo, and Ronaldo, they are the two easiest to slot in.
 

cjdmadcow

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
1,477
St Albans, UK
For various unimportant reasons - some personal, some professional - I've not been around SoSH much in recent times but given what's going to be happening in Kviv in less than 24 hours time I thought it only appropriate I show my face.

Due to work this week I've managed to keep my brain occupied with mundane matters, but as this afternoon developed my thoughts began to turn east. A few beers / red wines with friends after work and the nerves have begun to set in, but only in a 'I really hope we play like we can 'cos we'll batter them' sort of way.

Nobody...nobody thought we'd be here at the start of the season, so lets enjoy the occasion. This is the 8th time we've been here, we are as much European royalty as Real Madrid and tomorrow the stadium will be a sea of red and white and if we do what we can do, they won't know what's hit them.

Let's show the world what Liverpool Football Club is all about, let them hear the songs, the support, the humour and let them see that we have the absolute belief that we belong here. Certainly, no other club in England does Europe like we do Europe, we are where we are on merit so go out there and show them just what we can do.

Allez allez allez
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jun 3, 2005
15,568
California. Duh.
A little warmup from 13 years ago today...


My boss was not thrilled with the very long lunch I took that day, or my complete inability to focus on work afterwards. It was basically the emotional swing of the 2004 ALCS condensed into 2.5 hours.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Two of my least favorite teams going head to head for European bragging rights- I'm both disgusted and fascinated, because this should be a very fun game for the neutral. I think the entire game comes down to how much damage 'Pool does during the 15 or so odd minutes when they just become the scariest team on the planet. If Madrid survives that stretch without a collapse, I think they wear Liverpool down.

I was running through Falmouth Heights this morning and saw someone had hung a Liverpool towel off their balcony overlooking the Atlantic, so maybe there's your sign boys.
 

swiftaw

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2009
3,434
I have absolutely no idea how this game is going to go except it won’t be 0-0. I could see a blow out in either direction or a close match.

I heard that Bale is probably starting.
 

Mighty Joe Young

The North remembers
SoSH Member
Sep 14, 2002
8,401
Halifax, Nova Scotia , Canada
A little warmup from 13 years ago today...


My boss was not thrilled with the very long lunch I took that day, or my complete inability to focus on work afterwards. It was basically the emotional swing of the 2004 ALCS condensed into 2.5 hours.
I have absolutely no idea how this game is going to go except it won’t be 0-0. I could see a blow out in either direction or a close match.

I heard that Bale is probably starting.
Nope .. it’s Benzema. Liverpool team just dropped .. no surprises

4-2 Liverpool

Allez Allez Allez Reds!!!!!
 

PedroSpecialK

Comes at you like a tornado of hair and the NHL sa
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2004
27,164
Cambridge, MA
Too nervous to go anywhere to watch this.

The Real lineup being a bit defensively oriented has me cautiously optimistic... didn’t expect all 3 of Kroos / Modric / Casemiro
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jun 3, 2005
15,568
California. Duh.
The Real lineup being a bit defensively oriented has me cautiously optimistic... didn’t expect all 3 of Kroos / Modric / Casemiro
They may be trying to contain Liverpool in the first half, and they know they have a huge edge in talent on the bench to bring on late.
 

lapa

New Member
Apr 20, 2018
544
The only thing that seems likely is that it will be high scoring. Seems like the goal O/U needs to be set at 7.5.
LOLZ
I don't know how familiar you are with football but more than 7.5 has happened 3 times EVER and not once since 1962
You do know that the final is just one game and not two legs?
Hopefully you didn't run any books with your friends
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jun 3, 2005
15,568
California. Duh.
LOLZ
I don't know how familiar you are with football but more than 7.5 has happened 3 times EVER and not once since 1962
You do know that the final is just one game and not two legs?
Hopefully you didn't run any books with your friends
You would have sounded smarter if you'd posted that before kickoff instead of after 25 scoreless minutes.
 

Jimy Hendrix

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 15, 2002
5,846
The Fox announcers did not mention it at all, but Ramos hooking the arm that way was dirty as hell, right?

Landing that badly on the shoulder seemed to have a lot to do with not being able to use the other arm at all to stabilize.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Salah hooked arms with Ramos, then Ramos pulled his typical garbage and injured him. But I don’t know what could prevent Salah from playing...broken collar bone maybe?

Good move by Klopp to flip Mane over to the right to try to occupy Marcelo, although it doesn’t look like Marcelo (or Zidane) are that bothered.