If you haven’t heard, a rather big match took place on Saturday night. Real Madrid reached yet another Champions League final where they played a Liverpool side who have blown away the competition this season. Here are five key talking points from the match.
5 important things we learned from the Champions League Final
1. Ramos vs Salah
Many people, us included, believed it would be a battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah in terms of who turns up on the day with that match-winning bit of quality that will determine the outcome of this match.
The real battle of significance that came to fruition though was between Salah and Sergio Ramos. Just shy of the 30-minute mark, the two collided in a fair challenge and Salah was left on the ground. It was only after a few moments when he did not get up and began to cry did Liverpool fans fear the worst.
His evening was cut short as he left the pitch. In hindsight, Liverpool’s hopes of edging out their Spanish counterparts may have departed with him. The Reds had been the better team before this moment, with Real struggling to break out of their own half. The intensity and commitment showed just how up for this contest they really were, but Salah’s injury undoubtedly hindered any momentum and gave Madrid a foothold in the game.
The incident has since been reviewed by an MMA expert. There have been calls for Ramos to be reprimanded by FIFA and an Egyptian lawyer has even filed a billion-pound lawsuit against the defender which for the record, we feel is absolutely hilarious.
2. Karius had Benzema first goalscorer?
Loris Karius has been far from solid this season. Yes, he has made some great saves along the way, but errors in his game have been far too frequent for most people’s liking. It is perhaps then, no surprise that in a game of such magnitude the Reds’ keeper made two unbelievable mistakes to gift the Champions two goals
The first was an error of judgement if nothing else. As the German goes to roll the ball out underarm, Karim Benzema (whom credit must be given to for his quick thinking) reads what the keeper is doing and simply sticks out a leg. The ball then trickles tantalizingly into the corner of the goal. Did he have a bet on Benzema to be the first goalscorer? For his sake we hope so, otherwise literally no good came for him during that final.
Karius’ second mistake was much worse. Gareth Bale lined up a long-range shot as he did so often in a Tottenham shirt, and struck it in that unique style where it races towards the goal but moves in twenty different directions. The ball moved like an FBG writer throwing some naughty shapes on a night out, but ultimately went straight to Karius, who managed to palm the ball into his own net despite facing away from it. Impressive really.
The poor guy is now seeking a move abroad after receiving death threats, which is just ridiculous and shows there still are a fair few moronic football fans out there.
3. Bale’s still got it
Despite being out of favour with Zinedine Zidane, Bale managed to not-so-much impress, more install disbelief from off the bench. His ridiculous overhead kick has been dubbed one of the best goals in Champions League history, edging out his manager’s impeccable volley against Bayer Leverkusen. His strike for his second and Real’s third goal was reminiscent of those long-range screamers he so frequently bagged for Spurs – minus the ‘help’ from Karius
Not only did he raise his price tag, but Bale also sent a message. A message that he Is still one of the best in the world. His quality does not deserve to wither away on the substitute bench. Speculation about his future and a potential departure away from the Bernabeu was not hushed by Bale following the game, although he did rule out a return to his former club.
Nevertheless, the attacker is in the prime of his life at the moment, and it is hard to see him remaining at Madrid should he continue to not get the game time that his ability demands.
4. Ronaldo in decline?
Much has been said about Ronaldo’s physical fitness leading up to Saturday night. He is in immense shape, said to be that of a person ten year his junior. Fitness is one part of the game and excelling in it will undoubtedly enable him to play at the very top for years to come (we hope). However, with age comes a loss of killer instinct, sharpness, pace and maybe even desire. When he’s 38, assuming he’s won yet more individual and team awards and trophies, will his hunger for yet another one exist?
He showed eagerness and an intent to make a real impression (as ever in big matches) on the game early on. However, his most notable moment of the whole final was when a fan interrupted his run in the dying seconds by entering the field and swiftly getting tackled to the ground.
We love Ronaldo and the large amount of criticism he received foreshadowing his decline early on in the season was definitely premature considering this season’s goal tally. But maybe, just maybe, this is going to be the beginning of him having excellent seasons as opposed to unbelievable, record-breaking seasons.
5. Real Madrid unstoppable
At the end of the day, say what you will about Karius’ mistakes. Say what you will about Ramos’ challenge on Salah. Real still had the class and quality to hold off Liverpool’s early intent, go ahead in the match and then see the final out.
Three times in a row they have won this competition – that is outstanding. With the likes of City and PSG throwing money at this competition in an attempt to win it (not saying that Real haven’t spent billions in their time as well), it shows the real class and experience of this team.
It may not be replicated again in the modern era.
5 key talking points from Real Madrid v Liverpool (Champions League Final)
