Liverpool take on Tottenham in a blockbuster Uefa Champions League final-showdown at Wanda Metropolitano. An all-English final, Liverpool's second successive CL appearance, Tottenham's first ever in the clubs history.
A long, hectic and tedious journey for both teams who had to defy quite a number of odds to come this far. Drama, suspense and breathtaking footballing display by each passing match-day. In general, enormous show of quality and sheer will have verily defined this season's CL.
Ridiculous comebacks have reigned supreme. Not just Cristiano's majestic hat-trick in Turin against Atletico, not just Manchester United's absurd 3-1 win at Parc Des Princes, not just Liverpool's unbelievably spirited show at Anfield that ripped Messi's Barça apart, but also Tottenham's astounding second-half display at Amsterdam that saw them turn the tie on its head. The European defending Champions, Real Madrid, were also victims of such enigmatic comebacks, when a ruthless and youthfully exuberant Ajax side dazzled at Santiago Bernabeu.
Indeed, this season's CL has been one characterised by constant mystery. So many unpredictability in its peak form, so much drama that left some coaches in a quandary. Yes, Diego Simeone against Juve in Turin, also Santiago Solari at home versus Ajax, then Ernesto Valverde at Anfield. The Champions League has been in every bit entertaining, captivating, amusing and certainly riveting.
Now the finals, Liverpool versus Tottenham, two teams that know each other through and through. This season, both teams have battled it out twice in the Premier League. In each game, the team from Merseyside triumphing. Firstly, a 2-1 win at Wembley, then a dramatic 2-1 win again at Anfield, a nail-biter, a completely engrossing game. Maybe psychologically, Liverpool would have an edge over Tottenham if the two wins this campaign is anything to go by. Maybe not. Champions League finals aren't like league games, are not like any other game, it has its own puzzle and mystery.
Last season, Liverpool were in the CL finals, and a 4-1 battering by Real Madrid ensured their campaign ended trophy-less. Perhaps, Liverpool have gone back to the drawing board and done their homework. Another successive CL final defeat would be calamitous, especially when they narrowly missed out on the Premier League title to the mighty Manchester City, and especially when this incredible Merseyside team would go another season barren, without a trophy. This team deserves better, this team deserve a title.
For Tottenham, what a great achievement to be in the CL finals! This was not meant to happen, but has happened. An Inter win against PSV in the group stages at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza would have ultimately ended Tottenham's CL aspirations, but then again fate ensued. Then again, Tottenham progressed at the expense of Ajax, when the Dutch Champions had earlier won the first-leg 1-0 at Wembley and led also 2-0 in the first-half at Amsterdam. Spurs with an unbelievable spirited second-half, produced a scintillating comeback. On aggregate it read 3-3, by the away goal-rule, Spurs with a job well done !
On Saturday, an English team would be crowned European Champions for the first time since Chelsea in 2012. Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino would fiercely contest for the European throne, and if there's something we have learnt at all this season in the CL, we know this final would be glueing and simply mysterious.
Don't ever miss this final !
Credited to Bright N. B. Antwi
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