Real out to tame Anfield’s ‘animals’
TONI KROOS says Real Madrid are ready to face “11 animals” in Saturday’s Champions League final.
The Real Madrid midfielder locked horns with Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund when he played for Bayern Munich.
And from what Kroos has seen of Klopp’s Liverpool, he believes the treble-chasing Spanish giants are in for a similarly tough time in Kiev.
“They will be 11 animals, all up for it,” said Kroos. “We might be better on the ball but they’re going to put us under pressure for 90 minutes.
“When we played against Klopp’s team, it was difficult at Bayern Munich. We had a lot of problems against Dortmund. We’re expecting an aggressive Liverpool who have a really quick forward line, but we can stop them.
“Klopp’s teams are always aggressive, they press you a lot – for 90 minutes. They’re highly motivated. I expect a very tough game for us but with opportunities to win.”
Real Madrid are chasing a third straight European Cup and a 13th in all. Only they, Ajax and Bayern Munich have won three European crowns in a row.
And Cristiano Ronaldo insists if Liverpool feel repeated success has dimmed Real Madrid’s hunger to win again they are in for a shock.
“Finals are always special occasions,” he said. “I would have preferred it to be Manchester United but Liverpool deserve respect. We’re not going to have it easy. They deserve to be in
the final. They remind me of Madrid three or four years ago.
“They are powerful in attack and I respect them. But Madrid are better. We have to realise the history we can make and we need to show our experience. It’ll be something historic.”
Real boss Zinedine Zidane agreed. “You can’t say Liverpool have more hunger than us – it simply isn’t true,” he said. “We have the same desire as we always do and nobody can say we don’t. We’re in a third final and we have the chance to do something historic.”
Gareth Bale is hoping to start after hitting form at just the right time. The Wales superstar goes into the final having scored five goals in his last four starts, including a Nou Camp equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona earlier in the month.
“He is playing very well, he has scored many goals recently,” said Zidane. “Not only that but he has been very consistent. He has not played so much, but the last three games he has played well.”
Zidane insisted he wouldn’t be fooled into thinking Liverpool were merely Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and eight others.
“Everyone speaks about the three up front and says they’re less at the back, but they’re a team unit,” said Zidane. “My work with the staff is to prepare for the game well and try to do them damage.”
Liverpool and Roma, meanwhile, have been charged by UEFA following crowd disturbances at the semi-final first leg at Anfield. Liverpool have also been charged over the throwing of objects and setting off of fireworks.
The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on May 31.