Liverpool and Manchester City could transfer their domestic rivalry over to the European game after being kept apart from each other in the Champions League semi-finals.
Both clubs are going toe-to-toe for the Premier League title and each have European aspirations to juggle too having reached the last four.
City will need to conquer the 13-time European champions Real Madrid to progress to the final after coming through two gruelling ties against Real’s city rivals Atletico Madrid in the quarters.
Liverpool also face Spanish opposition in the form of Villarreal, who have played the role of this season’s giant-killers having already seen off Juventus and Bayern Munich in the knockouts.
More from Football
Diaz to start, Firmino injured - Liverpool's predicted 4-3-3 line-up against Villarreal26 April, 2022
'There are no rules' - tapping up is now an everyday part of the Premier League transfer circus26 April, 2022
'Toughest League One ever' could crown Wigan champions while 80 points may miss play-offs26 April, 2022When is the Champions League final 2022?
- Date: Saturday 28 May
- Kick-off: 8pm BST
- TV channel: BT Sport
- Live stream: BT has broadcast the final for free in recent years via their app
Where is the final?
The winners of the semi-finals will head to Paris at the end of May with this year’s final being held at the home of PSG and the French national team, the Stade de France.
The final had originally been scheduled to take place at the Krestovsky Stadium, however, Uefa stripped St Petersburg of its hosting rights in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.
The Stade de France has previously hosted two Champions League finals, at the end of the 1999-2000 and 2005-06 seasons. On each occasion, the trophy was won by a Spanish club, with Real Madrid defeating La Liga rivals Valencia 3-0 in 2000 and Barcelona overcoming 10-man Arsenal 2-1 in 2006.
Real Madrid and Liverpool are the only previous winners of the European Cup still in the competition and both have previously won it in Paris, Real doing so in 1955 and again in 2000 and Liverpool in 1981 when they got the better of Real.
The final will be held a week after the final round of domestic league fixtures have been played on Saturday 28 May and begin at the regular kick-off time of 8pm BST.
More from Football
Diaz to start, Firmino injured - Liverpool's predicted 4-3-3 line-up against Villarreal26 April, 2022'There are no rules' - tapping up is now an everyday part of the Premier League transfer circus26 April, 2022'Toughest League One ever' could crown Wigan champions while 80 points may miss play-offs26 April, 2022Real Madrid vs Man City
- First leg: Tuesday 26 April (Bernabeu)
- Second leg: Wednesday 4 May (Etihad)
Real Madrid looked like a team on its last legs as they were comprehensively picked apart by Chelsea during last season’s Champions League semi-final, but they have rebounded impressively this term with virtually the same squad.
Integral to Real’s march to the final four has been the form of their old stagers Luka Modric (36) and Karim Benzema (34) who were the headline performers during the revenge mission over Chelsea in the quarters. David Alaba has been an inspired signing at the other end of the pitch.
Whereas Real are on the hunt for their 14th continental title, City are after their first after losing against Chelsea in last year’s final. Pep Guardiola’s side are renowned for the quality of their football, but they demonstrated their grit and resilience to overcome Atletico in the previous round.
Liverpool vs Villarreal
- First leg: Wednesday 27 April (Anfield)
- Second leg: Tuesday 3 May (La Ceramica)
Liverpool might have expected to face the 2020 winners Bayern Munich in the semi-final, but will instead be in action against Villarreal who have been this season’s surprise package.
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has worked wonders with a squad that has, in comparison with Liverpool, been assembled on a shoestring budget. Villarreal have a strong nucleus of former Premier League players in their contingent including Etienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin, Giovani Lo Celso, Juan Foyth and Arnaut Danjuma.
Liverpool will be wary of Villarreal’s capacity to spring a surprise but are the favourites to reach a third Champions League final in five years. Should Jurgen Klopp’s side go all the way, they will join AC Milan as the second-most successful team in the competition’s history on seven titles.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/3wlztmC
Post a Comment