Champs League: Business end waits
● Champions League glory is only three games away for the remaining teams in the competition. On Tuesday, Liverpool welcome Roma, and Real Madrid entertain Bayern Munich the following day. Both games are at 8.45pm SA time.
LIVERPOOL vs ROMA
A high press has always been key for manager Jurgen Klopp, but this Liverpool side may have mastered it better even than his Borussia Dortmund vintage.
Tireless fullbacks, an industrious midfield and a front three with scintillating pace contribute to a full-throttle approach.
The man who once described his teams’ styles as “heavy metal”, Klopp is as demonstrative on the touchline as on the training ground. The German’s charm off the pitch and progress on it have enamoured him to the Reds’ supporters.
The 50-year-old has experience of one Champions League final, his Dortmund side losing to Bayern at Wembley in 2013.
Why might they win it?
Liverpool proved against Manchester City that there is more to their game than just scoring goals, showing a defensive solidity that was lacking earlier in the campaign. Klopp’s team are maturing fast and head into the last four with the wind in their sails.
Faced with a City “whirlwind”, as Klopp put it, Liverpool too often resorted to hopeful long balls during the opening half of their quarterfinal second leg. They will need more composure in possession at the Stadio Olimpico, where they could encounter a similar onslaught.
Roma
Attacking rather than defending; acting rather than reacting — these are key mantras of Roma’s game. With both fullbacks keen to overlap, Roma’s approach is all-assault with the main aim of getting the ball to Edin Dƒeko; and if that fails Cengiz Ünder and Diego Perotti are encouraged to cut inside and shoot.
Coach Eusebio Di Francesco, the former Roma midfielder, performed miracles with US Sassuolo — leading them into the Italian top flight for the first time, and subsequently the Europa League. The 48-year-old is enhancing his reputation in the Eternal City.
Why might they win it?
Of the remaining sides, Roma have the least pressure, yet belief is hardly lacking at the club. They are thriving on a low profile. Any team capable of beating Chelsea and Barcelona 3-0, and eliminating Atlético Madrid in the group stage, have to be considered serious candidates.
They are the only semifinalist still to be crowned European champions: Real Madrid have won the European Cup 12 times, Bayern and Liverpool five each. The Giallorossi would become the 23rd name on the trophy.
REAL MADRID vs BAYERN MUNICH
Coach Zinedine Zidane took over in January 2016, with Madrid experiencing a crisis of confidence, and led them to Champions League glory. He proved that was no fluke by retaining the title.
Why might they win it?
Los Blancos have won the last two editions of the Champions League and three of the last four. With 12 triumphs in total, the club has lifted five more European Cups than nearest rivals AC Milan. This season, continental glory is all the more imperative given the side’s relatively poor showing in the Liga and Copa del Rey. Oh, and there’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Zidane’s men are prone to lapses at the back and concede what typically would be too many goals for champions — though so far they have made amends at the other end. With such dynamic attacking fullbacks, Madrid can also be vulnerable in wide areas, a weakness Juventus exploited in the quarterfinals.
Bayern
Jupp Heynckes, the 72-year-old, has reached the final in all three of his previous campaigns, winning twice (Real Madrid in 1998, Bayern in 2013) and losing once (Bayern in 2012).
Lured out of retirement in October for one last season, he has won the league already and could yet sign off with a treble following the Kiev final.
Why might they win it?
Bayern’s squad bristles with world-class talent and they have a coach who knows how to succeed in knockout football. Having wrapped up the Bundesliga and booked their spot in the German Cup final, treble fever is rife in Munich.
Heynckes can become the oldest coach to lift the European Cup, and Thomas Muller could make his 100th appearance for the club in the final. — Uefa.com