The Champions League trophy (Anthony Hay, The Athletic)
After an entire season of Champions League action, the payoff is finally here. The final of the UEFA Champions League has arrived.
LaLiga champions Real Madrid are looking to add to their extensive UCL resume, while Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have a unique chance to win the treble by taking home the silverware.
In all honesty, this is pretty close to 50-50. I'd say that Liverpool probably have the edge, as their squad is quite possibly the best on the planet. they have an excellent manager who will be eager to right some wrongs. On the other side, Real have the history on their side and Champions League success is in their DNA.
Here is the official Sincere Sports prediction and preview of the 2022 Champions League final.
Squad Predictions
As I mentioned, I would feel confident in saying that Liverpool have the better squad here. The talent at all positions on the pitch is quite stunning. They can rely on a world-class player at all times. That's a pretty significant advantage for the Reds.
In goal, Alisson will be the obvious choice for Jurgen Klopp. These two sides contested the 2018 UCL final, which Real won, largely off the back of a horror show by then-Liverpool keeper Loris Karius. After Karius' nightmare, Klopp found out the hard way just how important a world-class keeper is. That summer, he signed Alisson from Roma, and the Brazilian shot-stopper has been a revelation for the Reds.
In defense, there are a few easy locks and one crucial decision for Klopp. At right-back will be Trent Alexander-Arnold. In my opinion, TAA is the best right-back in the world. His crosses will provide a difficult weapon for Madrid to deal with. At the other full-back position will be Andy Robertson. The Scotsman is a Liverpool legend and arguably an equal to Trent on the opposite flank. At the left center-back position will be Dutchman Virgil van Dijk. After returning from a gruesome injury suffered in 2020, van Dijk re-established himself as one of the world's best defenders. His physicality and understanding of the game of football will be crucial to holding off Madrid's advantageous attack. But the real conundrum is who will partner van Dijk. Joel Matip is experienced and he was one of the top-performing center-backs in the Premier League this season. But Ibrahima Konate, who was signed in the summer for a fee just under £36 million, will have the adoring Parisian crowd screaming his name. Personally, I'd side with Konate, because he brings more pace than Matip. With rapid winger Vinicius Jr likely attacking that side of the pitch, a pace advantage would be crucial.
Midfield could also be a difficult decision for Klopp. Fabinho is an excellent defensive anchor and he will likely be the deepest-lying midfielder for Liverpool during this match. However, he hasn't played since May 10 after suffering an injury against Aston Villa. We've seen in the past that it isn't favourable to go in rusty for a Champions League final. Is there a chance that Jordan Henderson occupies Fabinho's spot at the base of the midfield. I suppose it's possible, but I'd expect "Hendo" to be starting a bit further up the pitch. He does seem locked on as a starter, though. The Englishman's leadership is invaluable to the way that Liverpool play. The final player in the Reds' midfield three will be difficult to pin down. Thiago Alcantara is the clear number 1 option. But, like Fabinho, he has only recently recovered from an injury. Using two recently injured midfielders in a Champions League final against an already very good team would be playing with fire. Klopp could opt for Naby Keita, fresh off of his best season in a Liverpool shirt. But I get a feeling that Thiago will be the choice nevertheless. He has been one of Europe's best midfielders. Nobody can match his passing range or technical ability. With two more defensively inclined midfielders in Henderson and Fabinho, Thiago will be able to attack with a bit more gusto.
Up top, I think there is a pretty locked-on front three for the Reds. Despite some poor form lately, Mo Salah is fresh off of a Golden Boot and he'll undoubtedly start on the right wing. In the center striker position, Senegalese star Sadio Mane will be the choice. He's had a mixed stint since moving from the left wing. However, he seems to be becoming more comfortable with his role in Klopp's more flexible 4-3-3 system. On the left will be Luis Diaz, one of the signings of the season. The former Porto man has fit in Anfield better than even the biggest Liverpool optimists could have expected. His creativity will be helpful, as Real Madrid' back line is somewhat fragile. If Diaz can unlock Mane and Salah, Liverpool will win this match.
Liverpool squad prediction (Fotmob)
Real Madrid will also set up in a 4-3-3 formation. In goal, Belgian superstar Thibaut Courtois will be between the pipes. Courtois may be the only goalie in the world who can rival Alisson on current form. His shot-stopping abilities will be crucial in this match.
Real will likely use veteran Dani Carvajal at right-back. Carvajal hasn't had an excellent season, but he's been around for a while. Real will need his abilities to keep Diaz quiet. The center-back duo is the talented, yet somewhat inconsistent pair of David Alaba and Eder Militao. Since the Antonio Rudiger transfer isn't finalized until the summer, manager Carlo Ancelotti will have to go with Militao and Alaba. Both of these players are capable of a master-class, but they are a bit more error-prone than van Dijk-Konate. French left-back Ferland Mendy will almost certainly be the choice. Mendy doesn't get forward as well as Robertson, but typically he's been a solid option at the back for Real.
Real have a world-class midfield. Casemiro will be matched up with Fabinho as Real's deepest lying midfielder. Casemiro is a ruthless tackler. If Ancelotti wants a spark plug, he'll be able to bring on youngster Eduardo Camavinga, who has been quite the super-sub in UCL action since his 2021 transfer from Rennes. The more advanced midfielders will be Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Kroos will be playing in his 6th UCL final, joining an exclusive group consisting of Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo di Stefano, Francisco Gento and Paolo Maldini. That's a pretty impressive list. Modric has fit really well in Ancelotti's system. He occupies the open spaces really well. Klopp may want his midfield to be a bit more compact to shield the defense from the threat of Karim Benzema, so Modric should have space to thrive.
Up top, Federico Valverde, typically a midfielder, will likely get the start at right wing. The energetic Uruguayan will have to contribute in attack, provide additional cover in midfield and track back to help Dani Carvajal deal with Diaz. I could see Valverde being the X-factor. The next two members of Real's attack are the cream of the crop. Vinicius Jr is rapid and skillful. On the left wing, he is going to make Trent Alexander-Arnold's life hell. But the big man up front is Karim Benzema. The French center forward is the best player on the planet in current form. A Champions League victory would make him a prime candidate for the Ballon d'Or. Benzema is Real's star man and if they are to win, he'll have to be outrageous once again.
Real Madrid squad prediction (Fotmob)
Matchup Breakdown
Here are some of the battles to pay attention to during the UCL Final.
Trent v Vini
Trent is a brilliant player. In my opinion, he's the world's best right-back. His passing range is absolutely ridiculous. However, he is not an amazing defender. Typically, he's passable enough to deal with some of the Premier League wingers lacking in creativity. But in this final, he'll be up against Vinicius Jr, who is also a probable Ballon d'Or candidate this season. Vini has been remarkably consistent in LaLiga this year. His talent has always been evident, but now he has become one of the best wide players in Europe. If he dominates Trent going forward, it'll be much easier for Real to unlock Karim Benzema's talent. If Real can unlock Benzema's talent, Real are going to life the trophy.
Sadio Mane v David Alaba-Eder Militao
This may very well be Sadio Mane's last game in a Liverpool shirt. Incessant rumours about a move to Bayern Munich continue to swirl, especially since his contract runs out in 2023. But if Mane can end his Liverpool career on a high note, his Liverpool legend status will only grow. As I mentioned earlier, Mane hasn't been a seamless fit as the striker in Klopp's system. But he has all the tools to succeed. Mane scored in the 2018 final against Real; if he can do it again, Liverpool can match Real's star power.
Alisson v Thibaut Courtois
Poor goaltending dictated the 2018 final between these two teams. Alisson and Courtois are good enough to ensure that that doesn't occur again, but it seems clear to me that whichever team gets the better goaltending performance will win this match. Courtois has had a brilliant year, but Alisson is the more proven option. Whoever comes on top here will gain the mantle as best goal-keeper in the world. They'll also likely have a nice new trophy in their cabinet.
Final Prediction
We've had some stale Champions League finals in the past, but a boring match doesn't seem to be on hand here. I'd be surprised if either of these teams finished with a clean sheet. There is too much star power up front for either of these squads to not score.
I'm still leaning towards Liverpool, but Real Madrid are magical. Per FiveThirtyEight, Madrid had lower odds of lifting the chalice than Manchester United at the start of this season's competition. Yet here they are in the final.
I'm hoping that we get extra time. This match will be chock-full of talent and we'll be watching good football. But in the end, I want to stick with my gut and pick the Reds. Jurgen Klopp's side will be devastated after Aston Villa's collapse on the final day ended their quadruple chances. But a second Champions League title would still be considered a success for Liverpool. Ancelotti and co. will keep this close, but I'm going to predict a 2-1 victory for the Premier League side here.
Prediction: Liverpool wins 2-1
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