After weeks of hype and over-analysis, the UEFA Champions League final is almost here.
In Liverpool versus Real Madrid, Saturday’s title-deciding game features one of the juiciest matchups we’ve seen in years: Madrid are looking to solidify their standing as a footballing dynasty with a third-straight title just 90 minutes away, while high-flying Liverpool are aiming for Champions League glory for the first time since 2005, and to become the first English side to win since 2012.
So how do los Blancos and the Reds stack up on paper? Here’s a breakdown of each of the teams’ Champions League campaigns by the numbers, and a look at how three of those stats could impact Saturday’s final.
*40 goals, Liverpool (1st in Champions League)
If there’s one assumption we can make based on the stats about Saturday’s final, it’s that there will be goals. The match in Kiev pits the tournament’s top two scoring teams against each other, and features 2017-18’s four top goal-scorers in Cristiano Ronaldo (15), Roberto Firmino (10), Mohamed Salah (10) and Sadio Mane (9).
Liverpool clearly has the upper-hand in attack as it boasts what has become Europe’s most dominant trio of attackers, but with the likes of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema with Gareth Bale off the bench, Madrid has the offensive weapons to go toe-to-toe with the Reds in the final third.
*591.1 passes per 90 minutes, Real Madrid (6th in Champions League)
While Liverpool have an advantage up front, los Blancos should take control of Saturday’s match in the middle of the pitch. Led by Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Real completed an average of more than 40 passes per game better than their finals opponents during this Champions League campaign, while also owning better possession of the ball by a full four percentage points.
If Madrid are to emerge as champions for the third straight year, it’s likely the midfield trio of Kroos, Modric and Casemiro who will have played a key role in controlling the tempo of the match.
*20.8 dribbles per game, Liverpool (T-4th in Champions League)
If Madrid’s passing and possession numbers are indicative of how Zinedine Zidane’s side will look to control the game on Saturday, Liverpool’s dribbles per match shows a tendency of Jurgen Klopp’s side to play fast, using that speed — especially up front — to create one-on-one situations and exploit mismatches via the counter-press.
Salah versus Madrid left-back Marcelo is a matchup Klopp will look to take advantage of, and one that could very well dictate the outcome of the game.
Fastest speeds registered this season
Kph
33.8 MOHAMED SALAH
33.5 Marcus Rashford
33.3 Kyle Walker
33.3 Ousmane Dembélé
33.1 Kostas Manolas#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/wSFZNkf3o2— #UCLfinal (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2018
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