More magic in Madrid
Here we go then. The biggest game in club football. Will the European Cup be heading to North London? Or, will Liverpool lift the trophy for a sixth time?
Best ever Champions League
Before we get stuck into the final, it has been some Champions League this year, hasn’t it? Arguably the best ever.
Messi’s masterclass at Wembley, United’s comeback in Paris, the re-emergence of Ajax as a European force, that quite bonkers seven goal second leg at the Etihad which defied all footballing logic.
And if that wasn’t enough, we were treated to not one, but two quite miraculous comebacks in the semis that left us all with our hands on our heads and gasping for breath at what was unfolding before our eyes. More of the same in the final? Absolutely.
Fitting final
Both Tottenham and Liverpool, in their own way, have worked wonders to reach this stage.
Jurgen Klopp has juggled a fascinating title challenge domestically, alongside another European adventure. Relentless and captivating in equal measure, Liverpool dismantled Bayern Munich and Porto before ripping Spanish Champs Barcelona to absolute shreds.
Quite how Tottenham have got to Madrid is another story.
One point from the opening three group games. Last gasp goals against PSV, Inter Milan and away at the Camp Nou. The demolition of Dortmund. Squeaking past Man City without Kane. And finally, that stunning turnaround in Amsterdam.
A final and two contenders befitting of the occasion, of that there’s little doubt.
Drama until the very end
Such a showpiece event can often turn into a game of a chess, considering what’s at stake. But one guarantee of this final in particular is the strong likelihood of it producing drama up to the very last kick.
Drama we got during the last league encounter between the two when a last-minute Toby Alderweireld own goal won the points for Liverpool.
And drama we most certainly got in the last round when the pair refused to believe they were beaten, despite looking down and out.
Both sets of fans will lay claim to their name being on the trophy and will expect to be put through another emotional rollercoaster. Write either off at your peril.
Tottenham vs Liverpool betting tip
Liverpool are rightly the favorites and need to win in order to have something to show for their efforts this term. Erasing the pain of last year’s defeat to Real will serve as extra motivation too.
Spurs aren’t as daunting an opposition as Madrid but my word are they effective. Poch’s men have been on the brink of elimination countless times and every time they’ve found something from somewhere to save themselves.
It’s almost too close to pick a winner but in keeping with the way the competition has played out, I’m expecting a closely fought game to go to extra time, an outcome that’ll cover a Saturday night beverage or two if backed at odds of 13/5 with Sportingbet.
