Set-pieces among Real Madrid's strengths while Liverpool's high-press gives them a boost

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  • The Champions League final serves up an intriguing battle as Real Madrid and Liverpool go head-to-head on Saturday.

    Los Blancos are the seasoned pros in the competition but the Reds have plenty to offer as well.

    Here’s a look at the strengths and weaknesses of both sides ahead of their clash in Kiev.

    REAL MADRID

    STRENGTHS

    Threat from set-pieces

    With the likes of Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo in the mix, it’s no surprise that Madrid pose a significant threat in the air, often from set-pieces. The delivery from the likes of Toni Kroos and Isco only facilitates that.

    They’ve scored 20 goals from set-pieces in the Spanish top-flight, the most across the top five leagues in Europe. Ronaldo unsurprisingly leads the way with seven headed goals.

    Midfield supremacy

    Casemiro has grown into one of the best defensive midfielders around over the last couple of seasons and the Brazilian does supremely well to allow Luka Modric and Kroos to play with freedom and dictate the tempo of the game.

    Should Isco start as well, Madrid will be certain to dominate the middle of the park, enjoying the lion’s share of possession.

    Experience

    Are Madrid the best team in this year’s competition? Absolutely not. They have more weaknesses than the likes of Manchester City, Juventus and Bayern Munich at the very least. Yet, here they are, at their fourth final in five years.

    They seem to possess a certain know-how to get the job done. They don’t crumble under pressure, even when they go behind. Call it confidence, a sense of entitlement or just plain arrogance but winning the Champions League is just what they do.

    That man Ronaldo

    Even when he struggled domestically in the early part of the season, his form in the Champions League was still outstanding. He loves this competition and has sent many a record tumbling over the years.

    What’s so great about Ronaldo is that he can have an off night and still be the match-winner. One towering header, one drilled effort from an impossible angle and makes the net bulge.

    Main man: Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Main man: Cristiano Ronaldo.

    WEAKNESSES

    Don’t defend crosses well

    Madrid have been defensively poor all season. They are sloppy at the back and always give the opposition a chance. They are particularly inefficient when dealing with crosses though, a fact Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic took advantage of on a couple of occasions.

    Part of it is down to the lack of organisation in the back-line as a unit while both of their full-backs are less than convincing in the air as well.

    Over-reliant on Ronaldo

    While Mohamed Salah enjoys plenty of support from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, Ronaldo doesn’t have the same luxury. Karim Benzema has almost given up on being a prolific striker it would seem while you never know what kind of form Bale will turn up in.

    That puts the onus on Ronaldo and while they’re fortunate that he’s the kind of personality that thrives on pressure, it also serves to limit the concerns for their opponents.

    LIVERPOOL

    STRENGTHS

    Defending set-pieces

    While Madrid are strong from set-plays, that may not give them a huge advantage over Liverpool. Believe it or not, the Reds are actually proficient at dealing with set-pieces, having conceded from just eight in the Premier League this season.

    Dealing with those set-pieces is especially beneficial for Liverpool because in many of those situations, it can set them up for a quick counter-attack. Which segues nicely into the next point…

    Counter-attacks

    Between them, Liverpool’s front three of Salah, Firmino and Mane have scored 29 goals in this season’s Champions League and they are the reason why the English outfit are so dangerous on the counter-attack.

    Their clever runs and pace on the break make them the most lethal counter-attacking force in Europe having scored 13 goals through fast breaks in the league and Champions League alone this season.

    High-press

    Liverpool’s front three aren’t all about making runs and scoring goals though. They’re a significant part of the high-press Jurgen Klopp employs.

    Winning the ball high up the field and breaking forward at pace in the transition is how Liverpool have come about several of their goals this season.

    Liverpool's attack a force to be reckoned with.

    Liverpool’s attack a force to be reckoned with.

    WEAKNESSES

    Weak midfield

    Unlike Madrid, the Reds are not blessed with a playmaking central midfielder. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s pace and drive brought a new dimension to their midfield but his injury has been a blow.

    Liverpool almost attempt to bypass the middle of the park in attack by going from back to front very quickly but there are periods in the game when a spell of possession can prove invaluable.

    Inexperience

    In contrast to Madrid, none of Liverpool’s players have been in a Champions League final before and a few have never been in a final at all. Experience at this level is priceless and the Merseyside outfit don’t have it.

    Klopp subsititutions

    Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have a great reputation for making an impact with his substitutions. In fact, he’s reluctant to affect change, usually waiting until beyond the 70th minute to make a change in personnel.

    In the Champions League final, a proactive move from the manager can make all the difference. While his passion and instruction from the touchline is evident, this is an area in which he falls short.

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