Champions League

By Fernando Kallas PARIS (Reuters) - Liverpool are unbeaten since March, have lost only three games all season and have already lifted two domestic cu...

They face a Liverpool side that came up just short in their race with Manchester City for the Premier League title, ending their dream of an unprecedented quadruple after they lifted the FA Cup and League Cup with shootout wins over Chelsea. For Real the situation could not be more different. Real won a record-extending 35th LaLiga title with a month of the season left and are in their 17th European Cup final – an accomplishment that allowed Ancelotti to give his players some rest as they go into the final with no major injury concerns.

It's Liverpool's press and ability to control vs Real Madrid's penchant for capitalizing on chaos and brilliant moments. So which one will prove superior?

That is not to say the high defensive line is not a risk. That is where Madrid’s three previous opponents have faltered, but a Liverpool side whose style is still derived of Jürgen Klopp’s original heavy-metal template should be better equipped than them to handle the chaos. What is vital, and what PSG, Chelsea and City failed to do to a decisive extent, is to take advantage of those periods. He is a supreme crosser of the ball, registering 12 assists in the league this season. A Kroos pass from deep also led to the second, scored by Marco Asensio, as the ball bounced across the box off Trent Alexander-Arnold. There may be a sense of foreboding: How can Liverpool prevent its right flank from being exposed? You can’t keep relying on Luka Modrić to produce a pass of the mesmerizing brilliance that brought the equalizer against Chelsea. You can’t assume that Karim Benzema will always gobble up every half-chance.

The biggest club football match of the year is finally here with Liverpool to face Real Madrid in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League final.

Additionally, a free live stream will be available on the BT Sport website and YouTube channel. It will also be shown free-to-air for Virgin Media customers on channel 532. May 29, 03:00 (HKT)

Real Madrid and Liverpool will square off on Saturday in Paris. The game is a rematch of the 2018 final.

Real Madrid is in the final for the fifth time since 2014; in each of its previous four visits since 2014, its fans will quickly point out, it has left with the trophy. In that sense, Liverpool is probably the toughest test Madrid could have faced in the final. But the nature of the way the team plays, conjuring those irresistible surges, is not. Real Madrid has been able to snatch victory from defeat against three of the best-equipped opponents in Europe because its players believe in the club’s almost mystical refusal to wilt. But Madrid has been helped by the fact that the opposition are inclined to believe it, too. The final also was the first time that Pérez and the UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin, met in person since a Pérez-led effort to create a European Super League failed spectacularly just over a year ago. Instead, the tournament organizer, UEFA, and city officials hosted fans of the rival teams in separate venues closer to the city limits. Yes, in a way. To win its seventh European Cup on Saturday, Liverpool will have to break that sequence. Paris was easily able to absorb the influx of fans, though in its usual tourist hot spots there was little sign that soccer’s biggest game was in town. Paris St.-Germain almost looked as if it were waiting for the wave to crash. Real Madrid, which won the Spanish league this year, is chasing a record 14th Champions League title after narrowly dodging elimination in the semifinals.

Traders say the city is "the next best thing to Paris" ahead of the Champions League final.

Merseyside Police said the weekend was "set to be a busy one" and predicted "large numbers of people" travelling to the city. The 62-year-old said she was a "little worried" about people getting too drunk and rowdy but she hoped the match would go well and it would "give a boost to the local economy". Retail complex Liverpool ONE said it anticipated the weekend to be "the busiest of the year" for visitor numbers as fans flock to the city. Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, agreed there was a "real buzz" in the city "regardless of the outcome". Peter Hunter, one of the directors for Liverpool's Baltic Triangle, said the final was both a "mood and trade" boost for the city. With excitement building, Liverpool has been described as "the next best thing to being in Paris".

Choose your color -- red or white. The bars and stands around Paris' Stade de France, the venue for Saturday's Champions League final, have certainly nailed ...

"There the substitute has more space and that's where the player who entered later can decide the match -- that's what happened with me in the other knockout rounds. "I think the coach is making it a little easier because we have players who are very close friends, we're friends too and this helps a lot. "The team will be [most important] for both, they're not just individuals attacking and defending; both teams are teams, from attackers to midfielders and defenders. "We've been through Paris [Saint-Germain], Chelsea and yes, they're great teams, but Liverpool is also there, it's a great team. Liverpool are maybe small favorites but I believe with Madrid, they always play finals, they always know the way to play finals and win. In an attempt to offer an explanation, Real defender Nacho simply said there was "magic" at the Bernabeu on nights such as those.

Thousands of soccer fans are descending on Paris to see Liverpool and Real Madrid meet in the Champions League final.

We play this final for all the people, not only but as well, for all the people in Ukraine.” “Let’s see it like this, that the game still happens and is not in St Petersburg maybe is exactly the right message which Russia should get. “The war is still going on . . . and we have to think about that,” Klopp said. Not this time due to the pandemic but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which saw St. Petersburg stripped of hosting rights. While the Premier League was missed out on by a single point last weekend, the season can end with a rare treble of trophies, having already won the FA Cup and the League Cup. “We are very close to achieving something huge this season, and we will give our all to achieve it,” Ancelotti said.

Only five of the 16 European Cup finals that have gone to extra time have not needed penalties to decide a winner. Is it time for change?

So if the 90 minutes ends with the scores tied, or say 15 minutes of regular extra time can’t separate the sides, the number of players would gradually drop: first to 10 vs 10, then nine vs nine and so on, perhaps all the way to five-a-side — and then a golden goal next-scorers-win scenario instead of a shootout (goalkeepers would be exempt from removal). But extra time can be notoriously cagey, and not much of a spectacle. What if, say, the team with the most shots on target during extra time are declared the winners if the scores are level at the final whistle? Others say extra time is normally a bore-fest and that we should go straight to penalties after 90 minutes. Once a winner from the shootout is declared, then play your 90 minutes of football as normal. So, is it time to change extra time or are the rules fine as they are?

Mohamed Salah said he wanted to face Real Madrid before the Spanish side's semi-final win over Manchester City as the Egyptian was injured by Sergio Ramos in ...

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Liverpool and Real Madrid meet in the Champions League final for the second time in five years in Paris on Saturday, with Jurgen Klopp's side aiming to end ...

We know very well the demands at this club, the history, but for us to get here is huge," said Ancelotti, who last year was in charge of Liverpool's local rivals Everton. Liverpool look to have the stronger side on paper, with Alisson in goal, Virgil van Dijk marshalling their defence and Salah and Sadio Mane leading their attack. The Anfield club can win their seventh European Cup, a tally that would see them go level with AC Milan and leave only Real with more victories.

PARIS (AP) — Thousands of soccer fans were descending on Paris to see Liverpool and Real Madrid meet in the Champions League final later Saturday.

Liverpool and Real Madrid have appeared in a combined 25 European Cup and Champions League finals.That figure will go up to 27 on Saturday evening as the ...

2017-18 - Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool (NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium) 2017-18 - Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool (NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium) They have met twice before in European finals, with Liverpool winning 1-0 at the Parc des Princes in the 1980-81 season.

Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos believes that Real Madrid will emerge victorious over Liverpool in the Champions League final in Paris on ...

Madrid go into the game as underdogs, with Jurgen Klopp's Reds fancied to bring home their seventh European Cup, and a second in four years. Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos believes that Real Madrid will emerge victorious over Liverpool in the Champions League final in Paris on Saturday. Report: Real Madrid And Brazil Legend Roberto Carlos On The Champions League Final Against Liverpool

Liverpool and Real Madrid, two sides with extensive history in the UEFA Champions League, will meet in the final in Paris.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. - 2007-08: Manchester United (England) over Chelsea (England), 1-1 (Manchester United won penalty shootout, 6-5) - 2013-14: Real Madrid (Spain) over Atletico Madrid (Spain), 4-1 - 2015-16: Real Madrid (Spain) over Atletico Madrid (Spain), 1-1 (Real Madrid won penalty shootout, 5-3) The final is set for a 3 p.m. ET start. It was in Real Madrid's last Champions League final appearance where it knocked off Liverpool to lift the trophy.

Jon Eimer locked in his UEFA Champions League 2022 final predictions for Liverpool vs. Real Madrid on Saturday, May 28.

- Liverpool vs. Real Madrid has not lost in the final since 1981. Real Madrid from every angle, and he is going under on the goal total. Here are the betting lines and trends for Real Madrid vs. Real Madrid, all from the expert who has crushed his soccer picks, and find out. So, who wins Real Madrid vs. Liverpool? And where does all the betting value lie? Los Blancos have an elite scorer and playmaker in Karim Benzema. The 34-year-old striker led La Liga this season in goals with 27, which was nine more than his closest pursuer. Now, Eimer has broken down the Liverpool vs. Real Madrid odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while Real Madrid is a +260 underdog. Real Madrid matchup from every angle and just locked in his coveted picks and UEFA Champions League predictions. Since joining SportsLine, Eimer has covered the English Premier League, Serie A, the FA Cup and much more.

About 60000 Reds supporters have made the journey to France for the Champions League final.

but I always had faith, despite all the challenges we've had". Ian Finlay, who had planned to try and buy a ticket in Paris, said he had been left "unbelievably chuffed" when his family and friends surprised him with a ticket for the match on the ferry to Calais. Thousands have travelled to the French capital without tickets, with some saying they were keen to soak in the "carnival atmosphere". She said the passengers "were split into two groups" and were then told "which group was going and which group wasn't". A WCS spokesman said there had been "an issue with two aircraft which were cancelled by the airline at the last minute" and staff had worked "all day and most of the evening" to find seats for passengers on other carriers. He said the original coach had to be replaced and the ferry at Dover had to be pushed back, which led to "some worried faces...

The 2022 UEFA Champions League final is poised to be an epic encounter as Liverpool and Real Madrid do battle in Paris.

Additionally, a free live stream will be available on the BT Sport website and YouTube channel. UEFA's official number for that edition as provided to The Sporting News was 275 million. It will also be shown free-to-air for Virgin Media customers on channel 532.

Saturday's match between Liverpool and Real Madrid will be the biggest appointment of Turpin's career to date. But he already has plenty of big match experience ...

But UEFA consider Turpin one of the best in Europe." "I've achieved two of the biggest dreams that a referee can have. It's a special place, to be sure." Fellow former EPL ref Mark Halsey told The Sun that Turpin will be a "safe pair of hands". Clement Turpin will be the referee in charge of the 2022 Champions League final. Reflecting on his selection for the Champions League final and his recent inclusion on the list of referees picked for the 2022 World Cup, he added: "I feel privileged.

Can Real Madrid stymie the favorites? Check back at CBSSports.com to keep track of this and all the UEFA Champions League events. Craving even more coverage of ...

As for the Reds, they made it all the way to the quarter-finals but were eliminated by Real Madrid on scores of 1-3 and 0-0. Craving even more coverage of the world's game? Last season, Real Madrid was a legit contender for the championship, making it all the way to the semi-finals before losing to Chelsea on scores of 1-1 and 0-2.

These two teams have lots of Champions League history, but for the first time recently Liverpool have the advantage.

This was right in the middle of what was a profound lull in form for Mane, inexplicable even to him. He and his Liverpool teammates "have a score to settle." Those two games saw Los Merengues attempt a higher proportion of long passes than in any other game they have played over the past two seasons of Champions League football, 15.5 percent in the first leg (when they were at their most effective) and 18 percent in the second. First of all, when the Liverpool press came it helped to have his two most technically secure players nearer to the danger zone, ready to take the passes off their defense or to shuffle away from an opponent. The pressure never really came on Kroos and Modric, who instead could take a breath and ping passes like these to their full backs. For one, the Liverpool defense will look radically different, but, of course, there is also a different manager in the Madrid dugout. Alexander-Arnold has improved as an individual defender this season and there should be absolutely no question that any deficiencies he brings to Liverpool's defense are more than compensated for with the game warping impact he has at the other end of the pitch. There are no guarantees that Konate would be able to stop similar problems if they came his way, but his covering in the spaces behind his full back has stood out in recent weeks. In the FA Cup Final, for instance, there were perhaps half a dozen moments like the one above. Equally, the Vinicius of that night, what appeared to be the moment he announced himself on the main stage, has been a frequent sight on this season's biggest occasions. Madrid's pass map from that night shows a string of long balls aimed into the Liverpool right with Ferland Mendy and Vinicius consistently on the receiving end. When these two teams met in last year's quarterfinals Alexander-Arnold might have done better on each of Real Madrid's three first leg goals, two scored by Vinicius Junior and the other from a misjudged header back towards his goalkeeper.

The Spanish champion is seeking its record 14th European title on Saturday in Paris. Liverpool, the Premier League runner-up, is chasing its seventh.

Liverpool has, of course, be in this spot before: It lost to Real Madrid in the 2018 final. A favorable knockout-round draw and a helpful upset — not to mention playing some of the best soccer in the club’s history — meant that its opponents were swatted aside relative ease. Real Madrid faced all the so-called new money clubs in the knockout rounds, and in doing so came face to face with elimination multiple times. It has now played a quarter of the all the finals that have been contested, in fact, including — after Saturday — five of the past nine. As of 15.00 on 26.05 until 18.00 on Sunday 29.05 it is prohibited to wear any football club colours in the area of the Champs Elysees. This includes scarves, hats, displaying banners etc. That might have been related to a warning issued to supporters of both teams that they risked fines of 135 euros (almost $150) if they turned up wearing club colors in places like the Eiffel Tower or the Champs Élysées, the grand avenue that is typically flooded with visitors. Real Madrid is in the final for the fifth time since 2014; in each of its previous four visits since then, its fans will quickly point out, it has left town with the trophy. Chelsea, Manchester City and P.S.G. could not disabuse Real Madrid of its abiding belief in its own agency; Ancelotti and his players have plenty of reason to be confident that Liverpool will go the same way. Europe and the rest of the world. Ordinarily, at a club as proud and demanding as Real Madrid, those twin embarrassments would be enough to spark some sense of mutiny. Real was imperious in the first leg against Chelsea. That aside, it has had to weather fairly consistent storms. Just give Real Madrid the trophy and save everyone the bother.

Will Real Madrid win a record-extending 14th European crown? Can Liverpool avenge defeat in the 2018 final? Follow ESPN's LIVE coverage to find out!

Liverpool and Real Madrid are no strangers when it comes to the Champions League, having met in the final twice before, first in 1981 and then again in 2018. Furthermore, Liverpool have not beaten Real in the Champions League since 2008-09 when they thrashed them 5-0 on aggregate in the round of 16. Another win for the Spanish giants tonight would see them claim the cup for a fifth time in nine years. No other English side have ever reached the final of all three competitions in the same campaign. Benzema has also scored a career-high 44 goals in 45 games for Real in all competitions this season, with Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich (50 goals) the only player in all of Europe's top five leagues to have registered more in 2021-22. Real Madrid have gone early with their team by announcing their starting XI a full hour before it has to be submitted to UEFA. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has selected Fede Valverde ahead of Rodrygo in his front three. Liverpool's team bus has had a struggle to get through the traffic to make it to the Stade de France. Jurgen Klopp and his players are only just arriving now, having been temporarily stuck in traffic on the motorway close to the stadium. So while Real's players are now beginning to stroll onto the pitch to get an early feel for their surroundings, Liverpool's team are still waiting to get off the bus. And in defence, Ibrahima Konate is chosen ahead of Joel Matip alongside Virgil van Dijk. Thiago had been the biggest doubt, having limped out of the win against Wolves six days ago with a tweaked hamstring. Jurgen Klopp's side dispatched Inter Milan, Benfica and Villarreal in the knockout rounds while Carlo Ancelotti led his team past Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City in a series of comeback wins. Twice Klopp came up to talk to him and Naby Keita has been warming up with the starters. Those hundreds of supporters who have been waiting idly outside for the last few hours unable to enter through the crowded turnstiles would probably beg to differ.

Two soccer titans meet in a match to determine the best club in Europe. Follow along for live updates and analysis.

Real Madrid finished second in La Liga last season to qualify for the Champions League. It topped Group D with five wins and one loss. It won all six of its Champions League group-stage matches and then beat Inter Milan, Benfica and Villarreal in the knockout round to advance to the final. (Scottish club Celtic in 1966-67 became the only team to achieve a quadruple of major European trophies). Liverpool won a pair of domestic cup competitions earlier this season. Twelve minutes later, after a Sadio Mané equalizer, Gareth Bale angled an acrobatic bicycle kick over Karius, who again became the focus of fan ire when Bale drilled a long shot through his hands to score 20 minutes later. The governing body initially described the reason for the delay to late-arriving fans, but updated the attribution as a “security issue.” Thiago made his return after sustaining an injury during Sunday’s Premier League finale. Its best chance came around the 20th minute when Sadio Mané cut inside and unleashed a shot that hit the near post as Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois scrambled to recover. Return to menu Madrid rode a second-place finish in Spain’s La Liga, followed by a 5-1 record in the group-stage and knockout wins over Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, to the final. Return to menu Two of the top clubs in European soccer renew acquaintances Saturday in Saint-Denis, France, as Liverpool meets Real Madrid for the UEFA Champions League crown.

Police in Paris reportedly used tear gas on Liverpool fans outside the Stade de France ahead of Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid.

"It is a stadium that has main roads out of Paris and the river at the back and the issue is that there are underpasses where they have decided to check tickets. It is tense out there." @UEFA.com". A disgrace that fans - any fans - should be treated like this". As abject an event as I've ever attended." Fans were here in plenty of time.

What to expect from Jurgen Klopp's side in the UCL final.

If Karim Benzema is quelled for the first time in this competition, one might make a case for Virgil van Dijk. But if recent form is anything to go on, then, providing he is fit, Thiago might just be the star who shines brightest in the Paris night. Add to that the clear desire for avenge himself on Madrid for what happened in Kyiv four years ago and this may be a game where we see the best of Salah. He may be struggling to find the net of late and his record in finals for Liverpool is not as spectacular as in most other games (just the penalty in the win over Tottenham three years ago), but it would be a bold man indeed who doubted Mohamed Salah's ability to deliver. Thibaut Courtois and Alisson are two of the best in the business. The latter is statistically the best chance creator in Europe and his lightning pace roasted the Liverpool right back last season. Craving even more coverage of the world's game?

Follow along here as the two European giants meet in a dynamic title match in Paris, where more history will be made.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid won its 35th Spanish league title earlier this year. Four years ago, the two sides met in the Champions League final in Kyiv. Real Madrid prevailed, 3–1, thanks in part to two second-half goals from Gareth Bale. However, the game has been widely remembered for Sergio Ramos injuring Mohamed Salah in the first half, and the Egyptian has vowed to exact a measure of revenge with his new opportunity. The road to Paris has been filled with twists and turns, but on Saturday, two European giants in Liverpool and Real Madrid will meet to decide the Champions League title.

The Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris was delayed on Saturday amid crowd congestion outside the Stade de France.

They forced their way through the first filter. UEFA announced the delay at 8:46 p.m. CET before saying that a further announcement would be made within a maximum of 15 minutes. The screening at the Stade de France is watertight.

The Champions League final was delayed by 36 minutes — with Liverpool fans stuck outside the stadium in the build-up to the game.The game was originally...

It is understood that fans were left queueing outside the ground for more than two and a half hours. Funnelled into an area with a police van and there was almost a crush. I've been to five Champions League finals but I've never experienced anything like this. Liverpool fan Peter Clarkson, who has been an Anfield season ticket holder for over 20 years, told The Athletic: "I've never been so scared in my life. Further footage showed children suffering from the impact of pepper spray. The match was then delayed again, before a further six-minute delay until 8.36pm.

Real Madrid's Marcelo lifts the Champions League trophy inside the Stade de France. Stade de France, Paris (CNN) Real Madrid is simply made for ...

The outpouring of joy when the full-time whistle went was largely tinged with relief -- those fans know what an ordeal this night was. Numerous flares were let off as that end of the stadium began to glow red and smoke filled the chilly Parisian air. They had the best seats in the house to witness Liverpool's near-perfect first half, but fortunately for them the only thing they hadn't seen up close was a goal. The concrete stairs inside the Stade de France began to shudder as the celebrations from Real fans lasted almost five minutes. In the last third we could have done better," Klopp said after the match. It was a suitably tense end to what had been an enthralling first half. Then, out of nowhere, Carlo Ancelotti's side looked as though it had taken the lead completely against the run of play. It was a strange sight. Passes were going astray, clearances were being skewed and both sides struggled to find any inroads into the opposition's area. Salah's second chance arrived soon after, but this one was hit straight at the Real goalkeeper. When the full time whistle went, Real's bench erupted and emptied onto the pitch. Chances were few and far between for Carlo Ancelotti's side, but it only needed one.

European soccer's showcase game was delayed more than 30 minutes after overcrowding at the stadium gates led to clashes between fans and the police.

The security official said that “it was a police decision” to close entry and exit points. Tommy Smith, a Liverpool fan who had traveled to Paris from Ireland with a group of friends and family, said his group had arrived two hours before the scheduled kickoff and found that there were few entrances where fans could present their tickets. “Thank you to the very many police forces mobilized this evening in this difficult context.” “Thousands of British ‘supporters’ without tickets or with counterfeit tickets forced entry and sometimes assaulted the stewards,” he wrote. One group of V.I.P.s, delayed because of a problem scanning the Q.R. codes attached to their tickets, scaled a fence in an effort to get to their seats. The confusion, and rising anger, created a potentially dangerous situation in which French police officers, wearing helmets and carrying shields, used canisters of what UEFA, which runs the Champions League, said was tear gas to keep the surging crowds at bay.