Mohammed Salah’s big mistake before Uefa Champions League Final
After Liverpool's 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League final in Paris, France, Egyptian star Mohammed Salah took a week to summon the confidence to express his tremendous sadness.The Kop's winger left no mistake about his heart's greatest goal heading into the final of the world's most prestigious club competition: avenging the La Liga giants for their 3-1 humiliation in the same competition's final the previous season.
Salah, who had dominated the English Premier League, was set to star in that final.
However, in the early moments of the contest, a cheeky foul by then-Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, in which the Spaniard planted his entire weight on the Egyptian's shoulder, ruled him out.
Salah's declaration before of this year's final was made even before Real Madrid's second leg game against Manchester City, indicating that the EPL's joint top scorer had not forgiven Real Madrid for Ramos' evil arts, which cost him a first-ever trophy. Never mind that Salah went on to win the Uefa Champions League the following season after Liverpool overcame Tottenham Hotspur.
I would have lent the Egyptian a copy of Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' if I had been one of his greatest friends or even a family member. Salah's worst psychological blunder was declaring that this year's final will be all about retribution.
Salah's comments increased the stakes for the final and piqued the interest of a billion people in the game, but it also put pressure on him and his teammates to produce in the final.
The increasing expectations and onus of proof on Salah to deliver on his threat meant that Liverpool's players were too afraid to play their natural game and instead focused on scoring goals.
Salah and his teammates did, after all, generate chances in the game and deserved to take it to extra time. The Madridistas, on the other hand, gave as much as they received and were adamant about winning their 14th European title.
Thibaut Courtois deserves credit for an outstanding effort between the pipes that kept his team in control until the final whistle. He was a stumbling block for Liverpool's dangerous front three of Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah.
Up front, Karim Benzema, a Frenchman, once again proved to be a capable captain, putting in a five-star performance that only strengthens his claim to the Ballon D'Or this year.
The highlight of the night was definitely Brazilian Vinicius Jr, who scored the game's sole goal on the big stage once again. Real Madrid grasped the art of war and let their on-field performance speak for themselves.
They knew Salah and Liverpool would be blinded by their need for vengeance, so they played together as a team. The Egyptian put all of his cards on the table, knowing that a bold and opportunistic tactic would bring the English club down.
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