How can ‘underdogs’ Real Madrid defeat ‘ favorites’ Liverpool in the Champions League 2021-22 final?
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Does Real Madrid’s depth play a part once again? Can they survive the counter-pressing machine that Jurgen Klopp deploys? there is only one way to know.
Champions League Final between Liverpool vs Real Madrid on May 28 could be one for the ages. Liverpool as their star forward Mohamed Salah has described before the build-up of the game ‘are up for revenge of 2018 Champions League Final loss’ has added fuel to the already heated fire.
Liverpool is considered by many pundits as ‘favorites’ as they have cruised past their opponents to reach the final. Real Madrid, on the other hand, has needed miraculous comebacks against PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City to reach the storied stage and thus are labeled ‘Underdogs’ by many.
However, as history has shown time by time, anything can happen in the ultimate round with the winner taking all the glory and despair for the other side. Here are ways or tactics through which ‘The Underdogs’ can overcome ‘The Favourite’ at the showpiece stage:
Dynamic Duo of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior
Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior have carried the whole Real Madrid attack this season. Benzema has been the focal point of this Madrid attack with goals coming from absolutely nowhere and at crucial stages. He will be up against Virgil van Dijk and one of Matip or Konate who has been solid in the whole Champions League knockout stage.
Vinicius Junior, on the other hand, will be up against Trent Alexander Arnold who has struggled in the past against him and with Arnold being pivotal in Liverpool’s attacking buildup play will certainly be exposed during counterattacks on which Vinicius particularly thrives on. This battle could certain decide who lifts that elusive trophy.
Ferland Mendy v Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s attacking funnel is their entire right side. Only five players Rodri, Joao Cancelo, Antonio Rudiger, Luka Modric, and Benjamin Pavard have had more touches this season in the Champions League than TAA. By extension, no player has received more progressive passes (114) than Mo Salah.
Mohamed Salah has been one of the best players in the world this season, even despite a slight scoring dip since the African Cup of Nations. Liverpool looks for the Egyptian in nearly every sequence, and TAA will back him with a loaded gun full of offense.
Ferland Mendy will have to be playing at 100% health and focus on bringing out his A-game defensively to contribute to a potentially historic night. If he can prevent Salah’s cut-ins and forces him backward, it will give Real Madrid more time to set their defense and keep out entries into the penalty area.
Midfield Trio of Modric, Kroos, and Casemiro
One of the best midfield trio of the last decade is onto their four finals together in the Champions League and have the experience and know-how of what it takes to go all the way to the pinnacle. While they may be aging against Liverpool’s high-intensity pressing midfield, they certainly have got better on them in the last occasion they met.
Both goals last season came from passes launched by Toni Kroos, who on each occasion had time to calibrate. Casemiro and Kroos’s main job would be to disrupt Liverpool’s attacking play and recircle among themselves while Modric would pick out other runners beating Liverpool’s never-ending press. It won’t be easy but if we have to bet our money on someone, it would certainly be this trio.
Carlo Ancelotti’s man management
Carlo Ancelotti is a serial winner where ever he has been and one of his traits that is unique to other legendary managers is his calm and composed man-management skills. This season, he has used his substitute to maximum efficiency with players like Camavinga, Valverde, and Rodrygo having their big contributions to reaching the final.
Ancelotti has increased his trust in more players, and most have raised the call. Even on the fringes of the bench players, someone like Dani Ceballos has provided great two-way energy in Champions League knockout cameos.
Ancelotti’s Flexible Tactical Approach
Carlo Ancelotti would certainly have analyzed Liverpool’s big games against Chelsea and Tottenham. The contrast between Tottenham and Chelsea was interesting. Tottenham hedged deep and barely escaped their half, creating far fewer opportunities, but the little they did create, was quality.
Chelsea, in comparison, held a higher line, pressed, and tried to keep more of the ball in Liverpool’s half. Luis Diaz caught them on a few occasions as a result. Ancelotti takes more from Antonio Conte’s blueprint. Real Madrid averages 51.8% possession in the Champions League this season lower than 11 other teams. By comparison, Liverpool is second (63.2%), and Chelsea is fourth (61.3%).
Chelsea unnerved Liverpool with their press and snuffed out outlets, but also made themselves vulnerable. Based on everything we’ve seen from the Champions League this season, Ancelotti won’t press high until he brings in the bench mob in the second half and the energy gets dialed up a notch.
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Sujeeth Shetty
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