Courtois, a real wallOnce again, Thibaut Courtois was unfazed. And will have disconcerted in turn all the players of Liverpool. Salah and Mané in the lead. The Belgian doorman released an XXL performance, leaving no respite to his opponents. From the start present to repel a vicious shot from Salah (16th), then again there to repel an attempt from Mané (21st) on his amount, he will have won the mental challenge with the Reds. Present in the air on all set pieces, he never flinched, signing other high-level parades in the second half especially against Salah (64th, 69th, 83rd). The real hero of this final.
Vinicius, the opportunistAfter Karim Benzema or Rodrygo, decisive in the previous rounds, here comes the turn of Vinicius Junior. The Real winger, in the shadow of the Frenchman, proved to be the saving scorer in a long padlocked final. On a counter, he was trickster to slip into the back of an Alexander-Arnold who was not vigilant enough on a long cross from Valverde and score from close range. A decisive action and a goal, his 9th in the competition, which he will remember for a long time.
Real were brilliant behind We mentioned Courtois but we could also talk about this equally imperturbable Madrid defense. The many centers of Liverpool have indeed often found a Madrid foot or head. Pillar of this defense, Militao won most of his duels, while Casemiro acted as an effective sentinel. A real machine.
Ancelotti has won his bet againCarlo Ancelotti has become the 1st coach to win 4 Champions League. And it is no coincidence after this final still mastered tactically. Because the Italian technician has lined up a team capable of hindering Liverpool. With a Valverde still aligned as a false right winger to accompany his midfielders and bring the excess into the midfield. A winning bet since it was this same Valverde who was the decisive passer on the only goal of the final. This is his second coronation with Real, with 2014.
The Liverpool captains failed The Reds may have dominated this final, they will be able to harbor regrets. Because they will have obtained a lot of aborted opportunities, as we have said, by a great Courtois. But the performance of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané leaves a bitter taste as the two men have accustomed the supporters to better. Sometimes borrowed, they will not have had the expected influence.
Alexander-Arnold, fatal oversight The Liverpool full-back has often been present in the attacking sector. On the right, in the axis, even supporting his attackers, Trent Alexander-Arnold participated a lot in the game of his team. Except that when you are on the side, you also have to know how to defend. And the English international learned it the hard way by letting Vinicius slip away to score the only goal of this final by slipping behind his back. A fatal oversight.
