Liverpool and Real re-edit last Champions League final

In May of last year, Liverpool and Real Madrid decided on the title of the Champions League, in Paris, and the Spanish team, with a goal by Brazilian Vini Jr., won, winning its 14th trophy in the biggest club tournament in the world. Today, almost nine months later, they face each other again, now in the round of 16 of the competition, at 5 pm (Brasília time), at Anfield.

At the time, Liverpool had a great match, but stopped in an inspired night by Thibaut Courtois and in the efficiency of the madridista attack – the Reds had 24 shots, while Real had four shots. However, Jürgen Klopp, coach of the English team, pointed out that this time he needs two perfect matches to pass the stage.

— We have to play a supergame to pass. Two supergames, to be honest. I have no problem with that. I’m really happy that we can play this duel now instead of a few weeks ago. It’s very special and I can’t wait. And Real Madrid doesn’t need to play in a special way, which still has a chance to win – analyzed the coach at a press conference yesterday.

Hero of last year’s decision, Vini Jr. is the great hope of the Real Madrid team, which will be without midfielders Toni Kroos and Aurélien Tchouaméni, but will have the return of striker Karim Benzema. Questioned about how to stop the Brazilian, the German coach pointed out that there is no point in drawing up a strategy to try to stop the youngster specifically, because there are other athletes like the French striker and compatriot Rodrygo.

Liverpool arrives at a delicate moment: the team occupies eighth place in the Premier League, is eliminated from the two national cups and has the Champions League as its only chance of winning the season. On the other hand, Real Madrid, who are chasing leaders Barcelona in the Spanish Championship, are in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey and have already won the Club World Cup, in the decision against Al-Hilal.

At the same time, the German Eintracht Frankfurt receives Napoli, the sensation of the season and isolated leader of the Italian Championship. Tomorrow, Porto visit Inter Milan, while Leipzig and Manchester City face off to end the Champions League round of 16 first leg games.