A journey that began in September comes to an end on Saturday when the UEFA Champions League final begins in Paris, while Liverpool face Real Madrid. Thirty-two teams battled during the group stage and a wild tie, but only two teams are left with the coveted silver in play. After 124 games played, 379 goals and countless memorable moments, fans around the world now have a rematch of the 2018 final with two historic clubs playing again. The start is scheduled for 15:00 ET at the Stade de France, and we will be with you before, during and after for all the coverage of the Champions League final you need.
Here are our stories for the final, how you can watch the match and more:
How to look and the odds
Date: Saturday, May 28 | Time: 3pm ET TV: CBS | Live broadcast: Paramount + (Try it for free) Location: Stade de France – Saint-Denis, FranceStudy: Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah RichardsComments: Clive Tyldesley and Rob Green | Rules expert: Christina Unkel In situ: Peter Schmeichel, Jules Breach, Jenny Chiu and Guillem Balagué. Odds: Liverpool +104; Draw +270; Madrid +245 (via Caesars Sportsbook) Live updates: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
Featured game | Liverpool against Real Madrid
Home XI
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Casemiro, Modric, Valverde, Kroos; Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Liverpool XI: Allison, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Mane, Salah, Díaz.
Stories
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah said it best on May 4 on Twitter after beating Villarreal in the semi-finals. “We have an account to settle,” he wrote in a tweet. Make no mistake: Liverpool want revenge. After that final of 2018, they just want to see Real Madrid on their knees in tears to reach the final whistle. As you may recall, that was the game where Sergio Ramos was all “Macho Man” Randy Savage on Salah, dislocated his shoulder, ended his appearance in the final and almost endangering his participation in the World Cup. In addition, Loris Karius had a nightmare on the goal. Not only did he give Karim Benzema the first goal, but he also managed to catch Gareth Bale on a free kick and then had a mistake on a late shot from the Welsh striker from 35 yards out. Since then, Liverpool have achieved European glory by beating Tottenham in the 2019 final, so the Reds know how special the feeling is. Doing so against this Real Madrid team can feel even better.
Real Madrid: Not many saw how this Real team got so far. Remember they lost at home to little Sheriff Tiraspol in the group stage. But since then, there has been an absolute tear with Karim Benzema’s fittest player in the world. They got a comeback against PSG in the round of 16, they did it again against Chelsea in the quarter-finals and then they had the miracle of Madrid against Manchester City: two goals after 90 minutes of Rodrygo to force extra time before of Benzema’s victory. penalty shot. They will enter this match with the utmost confidence, but they will not be frightened if they come down early. They have shown time and time again that they will never go out, and they are the real kings in the history of this competition. Liverpool may have the best players in general, but don’t discount a team led by Carlo Ancelotti. He is an all-time 3-1 in the UCL finals.
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Team news
Liverpool: The biggest problems facing Liverpool right now are in midfield. Fabinho has suffered a thigh injury, but is expected to be fit for the game, but Thiago Alcántara is the last to receive a blow, reaching the half against the Wolves on Sunday with an Achilles injury . His status for the final is still unclear, but if he can’t go, this is a big piece missing for the team’s creativity in overall possession. Without Thiago, the midfield would probably be Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Naby Keita. Thiago’s latest is that he has traveled and trained with the team, noting that he could see the pitch on Saturday.
Real Madrid: David Alaba is the only injury concern at the moment. A minor leg injury left him rested for the last league game of the national season against Real Betis. He is expected to be available, with Ancelotti simply aiming to be cautious with the Austrian defender before the most important match of the season. Otherwise, Real seems well rested entering this match in Paris.
Prediction
The Reds win their seventh UCL crown, taking revenge on the 2018 final, this time with a competent display on goal and Salah scoring the winner with a penalty. Choice: Liverpool 2, Real Madrid 1