Real Madrid lineup, team news for Champions League final against Liverpool

By | May 28, 2022
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Real Madrid will be aiming to continue their love affair with the European Cup/Champions League at the Stade de France on May 28 as they take on old foes Liverpool.

Los Blancos are the most successful side in the competition’s combined history, with 13 titles, including three consecutive wins under Zinedine Zidane from 2016 to 2018.

Carlo Ancelotti has navigated the Spanish champions to a first Champions League final since 2018 following his return to the club at the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

The veteran Italian opted to rest and rotate his star names in the lead-up to the Champions League final after wrapping up the La Liga title and he is confident of having a fully fit squad available to take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.

MORE: Which teams are in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League?

Real Madrid Champions League final starting lineup

Carlo Ancelotti has moved away from the traditional 4-3-3 formation he used most of the season, in favor of a switch to an overbalanced lineup to face Liverpool.

The lineup sees Benzema partner with Vinicius Jr up top, with Ancelotti preferring a fourth midfielder in Federico Valverde over either winger Marco Asensio or Rodrygo. Valverde has started each of the last four Champions League matches for Real Madrid, and with it, sits deeper on the right flank, seeing the formation off balance with Vinicius Jr on the left play much higher thank his right-sided counterpart.

Vinicius becomes the fifth Real Madrid player 21 years old or younger to start a Champions League final, and the first since 2014 when center-back Raphael Varane started against Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3): Courtois (GK) β€” Mendy, Alaba, Militao, Carvajal β€” Kroos, Casemiro, Modric  β€” Vinicius, Benzema, Valverde.

Real Madrid substitutes (12): Lunin (GK), Marcelo, Nacho, Vazquez, Camavinga, Ceballos, Isco, Asensio, Bale, Hazard, Rodrygo, Mariano.

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Belgian international Courtois has been a cornerstone of Ancelotti’s side with 36 La Liga starts, from 38 games, and 12 from 12 in the Champions League.

Real Madrid conceded just three goals in the Champions League group stages with Courtois’ calmness and leadership playing a key role in their march to the final.

The former Chelsea stopper is a vital figure for Ancelotti and his penalty record could be key in the final.

Defenders: Daniel Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy

Alaba’s return from injury is a concern for Ancelotti with the Austrian international missing Real Madrid’s last six games through injury.

If the former Bayern Munich star is passed fit he will partner with Eder MIlitao at the heart of Ancelotti’s defence, with Ferland Mendy at left back.

Dani Carvajal has been Ancelotti’s go-to guy in Europe this season with the Spanish star rotating with Lucas Vazquez in league action.

Midfielders: Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric

Ancelotti has kept faith with his experienced midfield trident in Champions League action with Kroos, Casemiro and Modric starting four of their six knockout games in 2022.

Casemiro as the defensive pivot allows Kroos and Modric to try and dominate possession in the central third with the latter enjoying an extended Indian summer ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

Forwards: Fede Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Benzema and Vini Jr have formed one of the deadliest duos in European football this season, with an incredible return of 42 and 20 goals each in league and European action, alongside 14 and 16 respective assists.

The main call for Ancelotti comes down to who he starts in the final forward slot to counter the threat of Andrew Robertson in Paris.

Fede Valverde was picked for his defensive resilience in both games against Chelsea and Manchester City in the quarter- and semi-finals and he looks set to be Ancelotti’s preferred choice.

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