Champions League Final 2022 — Liverpool’s press, key matchups and what to look out for
There are enough things to exploit for both teams, but there’s one key matchup in particular
These observations — where I look at Real Madrid’s history, its players on loan, Castilla, tactical tidbits, and other relevant thoughts — are now a regular thing. All previous editions can be found here.
The beauty of two-legged ties has always been, at least for me anyway, the over-arching chess match that unfolds between great teams, players, and managers. The tactical adjustments — the momentum shifts, the comebacks — that are made over the course of 180 minutes, truly mesmerize.
In a one-off final in a neutral venue, things can get more cagey, more stressful, more conservative. Sometimes tactics matter less than mentality, a lucky bounce, and star power; other times, structure and discipline trumps all. Liverpool and Real Madrid will play one game, with only 90 minutes or so to make in game adjustments; though, to be sure, these two teams have known each other well for decades, as it’s their third rendezvous in a European Cup Final, and ninth showdown in Europe overall.
Things have changed, of course, for both teams since their last final melee in 2018. Liverpool now have Luis Diaz and Thiago. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, and Raphael Varane are long gone. Marcelo, Isco, and Gareth Bale — key contributors in 2018 — will not be influencers. Karim Benzema is a better player. Mohamed Salah has been discussing getting revenge, adamant that he ‘wants it more’. Vinicius Jr, the best winger in the Champions League this season, cares little for any of that, and wasn’t around for that final to be avenged. Does Real Madrid’s depth play a part once again? Can they survive the counter-pressing machine that Jurgen Klopp deploys?
Real Madrid’s path to the final was more difficult, so anyone labelling them as ‘underdogs’ should think hard about what they’re implying. Carlo Ancelotti’s men don’t back down from anyone, and relish throwing uppercuts to teams they’re not supposed to beat. In the round-of-16, they had just a 4% chance of winning the Champions League according to FiveThirtyEight’s model. I wrote about why that didn’t matter, all the way back in January. If you think the team that has the Champions League’s best goalkeeper, striker, and winger — along with a feisty and deadly bench mob and savvy, prolific winners and veterans — aren’t on an equal playing field in a game like this, you should re-consider where you’re putting your money.
Liverpool may not be facing Cristiano Ronaldo this time, but they will have to deal with Vinicius Jr — a breakout, fearless player who has dominated every single offensive metric in the competition apart from scoring, which Benzema has politely taken care of. Trent Alexander-Arnold, an absolute offensive weapon, leaves space behind him if Liverpool’s counter-press breaks. In the final against Vinicius, he’ll be facing his biggest test from a defensive standpoint. Vinicius will be the best dribbler and creative force Trent has faced in this tournament yet. Can the Brazilian test the English right-back at a high enough clip to keep him in check?
The wings, overall, provide us with four key match-ups right off the bat. Ahead of Trent is Mohamed Salah, who has been one of the best players in the wold this season, even despite a slight scoring dip since the African Cup of Nations. Ferland Mendy will have to be playing at 100% health and focus — bringing out his A-game defensively to contribute to a potentially historic night. If he can prevent Salah’s cut-ins and force him backwards, it will give Real Madrid more time to set their defense and keep out entries into the penalty area.
Where I’m even more optimistic now on Real Madrid than I was when I wrote the aforementioned article back in January is the improved depth chart. The squad is the same as it was, but there are more contributors now than there were in January. 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.
I would argue this is a classic Real Madrid season where the team hibernates for a few months before blossoming in the spring time. What makes this season stand out in particular, though, is the unique harmony and brotherho
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