SETTING THE SCENE: The key stats from this season’s competition ahead of the final between Liverpool and Real Madrid
On Saturday 28 May, Liverpool and Real Madrid will meet in the Stade de France in Paris to fight for one of the most sought-after prizes in world football.
After overcoming Liverpool in the 2018 final, Real Madrid, as the most prolific team in the history of the competition, will be looking to add to their collection of 13 Champions league wins in their 17th final, whilst Liverpool will be out for revenge.
It is looking like it will be an almighty task for Liverpool to stop the in-form Karim Benzema from finding the back of the net.
So far, he has scored 15 goals in this season’s competition, with 10 of them coming in knockout games, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most goals scored in a single knockout stage.
He also scored back-to-back hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea, whilst scoring the winning penalty in the semi-final against Man City.
Despite Benzema’s irresistible form in front of goal for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich top the charts for the most team goals scored, particularly impressive from the German giants given they were knocked out in the quarter finals, playing two games less than Real Madrid and Liverpool.
With Benzema leading the line for Real Madrid in scintillating fashion, Real Madrid also have their goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois to thank for much of their success, as he has made 52 saves this season, the most in the competition.
Atlético Madrid have the worst disciplinary record in this season’s competition, amassing 22 yellow cards, eight of which came across their two-leg defeat to Manchester City. The Atlético Madrid centre-back Felipe has also received the most red cards this season with two, coming against Man City and Liverpool.
Rodri has completed the most passes with 760, so it’s perhaps surprising that his Man City side are only third in the possession stats, with both Liverpool and Bayern Munich having a greater average possession.
As in previous years, this season’s Champions league has seen drama, heartbreak and euphoria at every turn. Real Madrid have come from behind in every stage of the knockouts in dramatic fashion, with the highlight of an incredible season undoubtedly coming against Manchester city, in which they scored twice in the dying minutes to level the tie from 3-1 down, going on to win in extra time.
Looking to the final, we should be in for a treat with two dangerous attacking teams that will go at each other from the start.
