It will be a night of glitz and glamour. The gaze of the footballing world will be fixed at the Stade De France where two of Europe’s most glamorous clubs lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling spectacle. One will seek for “the 14th” whiles the other will aim to clinch “the 7th”. Regardless of the outcome we are certain it will be a night of ecstasy, pure joy, anguish and sorrows.
A plethora of world class players will be on display directed by two fine brains in Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp. Tactically appealing for the neutrals this will be a joy to watch.
In this article I highlight 3 key battles that will likely decide the destination of the 2022 Champions League trophy and point out 4 players who are outsiders but may have a hand in deciding proceedings in France
Battle 1: Trent Alexander Arnold vs. Vinicius Jr.
Known for his blistering pace and direct dribbling ability Vinicius Jr has gradually developed into a key player at Los Blancos but he will come up against a player known for his ability to dictate pay from the right back position, Trent Alexander Arnold. Vinicius will be tasked to keep an eye on Trent when Liverpool are in possession and Trent will also have to keep an eye on Vinicius when Real Madrid have the ball.
Vinicius Jr. 2021/2022 Champions League Stats
·12 Matches played
·3 Goals, 0.25 avg. per match
·26 Total attempts, 2.17 avg. per match
·6 Assists, 0.5 avg. per match
·35.4 Top speed (km/h), 33.58 avg. per match
·122.52 Distance covered (km), 10.21 avg. per match
·66 passes into key areas
·351/423 passes completed
·23 fouls suffered
Source: UEFA.com
Trent Alexander Arnold’s UCL stats 2021/2022
·8 Matches played
·0 Goals
·1 Tackle (0 won), 0.13 avg. per match
·43 Balls recovered, 5.38 avg. per match
·32.9 Top speed (km/h), 31.64 avg. per match
·76.53, Distance covered (km), 9.57 avg. per match
·43 Balls Recovered
·16/18 clearances completed
·23/74 crosses completed
·55 passes into key area
·807 times in possession
Source: UEFA.com
No matter what happens keep an eye on this battle. Liverpool use Trent as one of their outlets to attack and this is shown by Him being in possession 807 times in the campaign. Having made only 1 tackle it will be interesting to see how he fares against Vinicius Jr who averages 10km per match.
Battle 2: Thiago Alcantara vs. Luka Modric
On display in France will be two diminutive midfielders who will determine how their team plays. Both players need no introduction to the footballing world. Whoever wins this battle will be very key in the final. It only took a moment of genius from Luka Modric to turn a seemingly lost tie against Chelsea in the Quarter Final. Such players don’t need a whole game but a sheer moment of genius is enough and Thiago and Luka are both capable of that
Thiago has recovered the ball 35 times, have 91.45% pass accuracy, made 26 passes into key areas and averages 7.57km per match in this season’s competition. Source: UEFA.com
In comparism Luka Modric has a passing accuracy of 89.92%, 37 ball recoveries, 51 passes into key areas and averages 9.51km per match. Source: UEFA.com
The middle of the pitch will be a fiery area but expect Modric and Alcantara to be in the thick of affairs
Battle 3: Mohammed Salah vs Karim Benzema
They may not come up directly against each other but Karim and Mohammed are two players who are likely to be among the goals in France. Both players have been given a shout at this year’s Balon D’or and whoever comes up on top in France will have a good shot at the prestigious individual award in football.
His ability to drift out of position and partake in the buildup will make Karim more dangerous in the final while Real Madrid will have to keep an eye on Salah’s direct runs which cause problems for most defenses.
15 goals from 45 attempts is enough to make Karim a threat whiles Mohammed Salah’s 8 goals from 34 attempts will surely make him one of the contenders to decide a match. Source: UEFA.com
These 3 battles will be key but below I highlight four players who may be outsiders but have the potential to make history in France
Outsider 1:Luis Diaz has been a handful for defenses this season and he has the ability to decide a match, something the world learnt as his 2nd half cameo versus Villarreal turned what was a near upset to a place in Paris for Liverpool. Once he gets going there is no stopping Him and Real Madrid will make a big mistake if they do not keep an eye on the Colombian.
Outsider 2: Divock Origi needs no introduction to the Anfield faithful. He will depart Anfield this summer but his fame in Merseyside will remain unblemished. Scorer of late goals and crucial goals, don’t be surprised to see Him on the pitch if Liverpool needed one.
Outsider 3: Rodrygo stunned the world with two late goals in the semi final that turned Los Blancos faithful from despair into elation. Do not forget his goal against Chelsea in the quarter Final was also decisive. Ancelotti may have a weapon in Him and we will not be surprised if he gets in the action in Paris
Outsider 4: Eden Hazard may be a surprise inclusion but having just returned from a surgery that took away a metal plate attached to his ankle all these years He has a point to prove and with Carlo confirming He may have a part to play there will be no surprise if he grabs the headlines in France. Playing against his favorite opponent in the traditional top 4 in England Eden may want to use the final as his stepping stone in repaying the faith Los Blancos fans have in Him
France will erupt, the world will wait anxiously but only two things are certain; one team will brim with joy and the other will be drawn in tears but no matter what keep an eye on these battles….
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