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That UEFA Champions League final arrived at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Saturday with Liverpool and Real Madrid to determine this year’s winners of Europe. It’s not the first time the two have met in the Paris region with theirs encounter in 1981 a 1-0 win for the Reds at the Parc des Princes, while their last UCL final in Kyiv ended in a 3-1 win over Los Blancos.
Saturday’s clash pits two of Europe’s heavyweights against each other, although it’s still an unexpected clash considering Manchester City were the overwhelming favorites to reach their second consecutive Champions League final.
We’re looking ahead at this one team by team, rounding up some of the key battles and things to watch out for on Saturday in the French capital.
How to see and odds
Date: Saturday May 28 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: Paramount+ (try for free)
Location: Stade de France – Saint Denis, France
Studio: Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards
Commentators: Clive Tyldesley and Rob Green | Rules Expert: Christina Unkel
On site: Peter Schmeichel, Jules Breach, Jenny Chiu and Guillem Balague
Opportunities: Liverpool +104; Drag +270; Madrid +245 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Liverpool vs Real Madrid
duel to watch
Liverpool: I have expanded this further in my column with bold predictionsbut this certainly feels like a game where the victor stands between battles Trent Alexander Arnold and Vinicius Jr could lead their team to victory. The latter is statistically the best chancer in Europe and his lightning pace roasted Liverpool right back last season. But Alexander-Arnold has improved defensively more than he is given credit for. If he’s able to fire crosses into the penalty area, Madrid will be put to a serious test. – James Benge
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Most likely a goal
Liverpool: He may be struggling to find the net lately and his record in finals for Liverpool isn’t as spectacular as in most other games (only the penalty in the win against Tottenham three years ago) but it would indeed be one brave man who doubted it Mohamed Salahs ability to deliver. The Egyptian finally got the rest he’s so rarely gotten in his side’s recent games. Even half an hour into the game against Wolves, he seemed like a reinvigorated force. Add to that a clear desire to get revenge on Madrid for what happened in Kyiv four years ago and this could be a game where we see the best of Salah. – James Benge
Real Madrid: It definitely is Karim Benzema. Before their quarter-final clash last season, Benzema scored four goals in three meetings with Liverpool. Fast forward to today and he’s probably the best player in the world right now with the ability to score in every way imaginable. He is the reference point in attack and the most important penalty taker. As he only takes half a second to strike he is certainly the most likely and will probably end up finding the net in this case. – Roger Gonzalez
Most likely to keep a goal
Thibaut Courtois and Alison are two of the best in the business. What will likely separate these two is how reliable their defense is on the night. Liverpool’s defense is known to have its weaknesses, but throughout the Champions League so far it has been Madrid’s who have given up more goals, goals expected and almost twice as many shots on target. In the knockout rounds, Courtois never kept a clean sheet; against Europe’s most violent onslaught, one would expect this to continue. – James Benge
Voted Man of the Match
Liverpool: If Karim Benzema is defeated for the first time in this competition, one could make the case for Virgil van Dijk. But if recent form continues then, assuming he’s fit, Thiago perhaps the star that shines brightest on the Parisian night. The Spaniard has been one of Europe’s standout players this season, delivering a string of Man of the Match performances when it mattered most in the Champions League. Against Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, this could be the game where Thiago proves he’s the best of the best. – James Benge
Real Madrid: Lukas Modric. He’ll need to be the creator in the middle to quickly get the ball wide to get the attack going and he’ll also try to fire in Benzema’s feet and head. He may be 36, but he’s still got it. Everything flows through him and if Real wins he will be a big reason for that. – Roger Gonzalez
predictions
Game Prediction: It’s hard to shake the feeling that Madrid have used up their nine lives to get this far and that Liverpool, who seem most at ease on the biggest occasions, will not crumble under the pressure like PSG and Manchester did city did. I back them to win quite comfortably, 3-1 to be precise.
