Champions League: Madrid Out To Cause More Mersey Misery

Liverpool vs Real Madrid

It’s time for a re-run of last season’s Champions League Final.

The night when Real Madrid became champions of Europe for a record 14th time and capped a remarkable season to clinch a league and European double.

That achievement also capped a remarkable milestone for Carlo Ancelotti as the Italian became the first manager to capture titles in each of Europe’s top five leagues – England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France.

Yet it wasn’t just the trophies they secured but the way they did it; seeing off Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City in the most dramatic of fashions and creating truly memorable Champions League highlights before Liverpool were despatched in the showpiece Paris.

It was a run in which character was every bit as crucial as talent and no-one could begrudge Real their success.

Now Ancelotti’s champions are back to face the side whose hearts they broke.

Talking Points

To some, that final defeat is being outlined as one reason why Liverpool have rarely since matched the standards they showed last term.

Whether justified or not, the reality means this competition is the only silverware they remain in contention for this season.

Without a league win in 2023 until a week ago, they have now secured back-to-back 2-0 victories to lift spirits before this encounter.

Their manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted he watched back last season’s final at the weekend and described the experience as ‘torture’ before implying that his team will be less wary of Madrid’s counter-attacking expertise over two legs than a one-off encounter.

The Merseysiders will be near enough at full-strength for the last-16 tie against opponents who have the distinct upper hand over them when it matters most in the modern era.

Last season’s final was the third time in five seasons that Madrid have seen off Liverpool (two finals, one quarter-final) and the Spanish champions have been boosted by the news that world player of the year Karim Benzema has been declared fit to start.

Injuries have dented Benzema’s season, but Ancelotti has worked to manage his game time to crucial matches, most recently their FIFA Club World Cup final win over Al Hilal.

It is a rare piece of good news for Madrid whose midfield duo Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni were not passed fit to travel.

Trailing champions Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga, the combination of absences and congested schedule does seem to have caught up Madrid on occasions this season, yet they remain the team to beat.

As the Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson noted after last season’s Champions League Final: ‘It has not been a normal season for Madrid. They have survived by their nerve, by their capacity to produce moments of brilliance when they have needed them.’

That is why you cannot rule them out causing more Mersey misery.

History

Liverpool defeated Madrid at Wembley in the 1981 European Cup final and again at the last-16 stage in 2009, a resounding 5-0 victory on aggregate.

Later that year the Spanish giants signed Cristiano Ronaldo and since then, it has all been about Madrid.

Ronaldo inspired two group victories in 2014, 3-0 at Anfield and 1-0 in Spain as the Merseysiders were eliminated in the group stage.

Then came the 2018 final and that Gareth Bale goal!

In the 2021 quarter-finals, ties played behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions, a Vinícius Júnior double and Marco Asensio effort gave the hosts control of the first leg with Mohamed Salah replying for Liverpool

The return fixture ended goalless as Madrid prevailed 3-1 on aggregate.

And, of course, Vinicius grabbed the winner in the final last May.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Champions League betting odds make Liverpool slight favourites, priced 1X2 @ 2.28 compared to Madrid who are available @ 2.83.

It is a similar scenario with Asian Handicap odds where you can get odds of Liverpool -0.50 @ 2.28 and Madrid 0.00 @ 2.29.

The Draw is on offer @ 3.50.

If you fancy a repeat of last season’s final, then Correct Score 0-1 will pay out @ 11.50.

With such attacking talent on show for both sides, then you may want to consider over 3.00 goals @ 2.17, Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.20, 2-3 @ 1.97 and 4-6 @ 2.89. I do think the combination of the English team’s bid for revenge and the absence of key men in the Madrid engine room will edge this towards the home side.

 

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