It is the biggest club game of the season as Liverpool will take on Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday 28th May 2022. The 67th European Cup/Champions League final will be held in Paris at the Stade de France, which is hosting its first UCL final since 2006. En route to the final, Liverpool and Real Madrid defeated Villarreal and Manchester City in the semi-finals, respectively.
Liverpool come into this match having won 3-1 against Wolves on the final matchday of the Premier League. However, this win was not enough for them to prevent Manchester City from winning their second consecutive league title. In the semi-final, the Reds defeated Villarreal 5-2 on aggregate, winning 2-0 at Anfield and 3-2 away at El Madrigal. In this season of the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool have an xG of 22, but they have outperformed this number by netting 30 times on the way to the final.
Just like how Liverpool have outperformed their xG per 90, they have also overperformed on their xA per 90 of 1.05 by providing 1.4 assists per 90. The Reds’ passing accuracy stands at 87%, putting them in the top 3% in this category. Liverpool have also attempted 72 passes into the final third per game with 76% accuracy. The Reds have also been successful in 76% of their defensive actions in this UEFA Champions League campaign.
Real Madrid head into this game after a goalless draw with Real Betis in their final LaLiga match of the season. Los Blancos ended as champions with a record of 26 wins, eight draws and four losses. In the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 6-5 on aggregate. They lost 3-4 in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium before winning 3-1 in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu after extra time. Real Madrid have the second most successful dribbles in this UCL season, with 203 to their name.
Toni Kroos has been Real Madrid’s most successful threat creator in this UEFA Champions League season. However, most of this has come from set-pieces. From open play, Karim Benzema has produced the most threat. Vinicius Junior is leading the assists chart for Los Blancos this UCL season, with six to his name, followed by Luka Modric and Ferland Mendy in second and third place, respectively.
Displayed above is the shot map of Real Madrid in this UEFA Champions League season. Karim Benzema has found the back of the net 15 times, with three of them being penalties. In second place is Rodrygo Goes, who has five to his name in just four starts. Overall, Real Madrid have attempted 175 shots and netted 27 goals, giving them a conversion rate of 6.48 shots per goal scored.
Liverpool’s quadruple hopes may have been ended by Manchester City on Sunday, but they have the chance to become the first English team in history to win the League Cup, FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in the same season. However, they face a familiar and formidable Real Madrid side who are mentally strong under Carlo Ancelotti, having had comeback wins against PSG, Chelsea (on aggregate) and Manchester City en route to the final.
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