UCL Favorite

The UCL showdown 

  Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur created history as they became the first English teams to reach the Champions League final for the first time, after Chelsea and Manchester United in the 2008 edition of the prestigious UEFA competition. 

The bookmakers all around the globe have already started doing permutations to predict which team will emerge winners at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, come the 1st of June. 

Liverpool may seem the clear favorite on paper, but the tactical, physical, and technical prowess of the Londoners cannot be underestimated. 
Though, it takes a little bit more than just technique to win in such a big occasion, there is need for character, physical and mental awareness throughout the game. Luck and most especially "destiny" to go on one's favor.


I remember vividly, in 2011/12 season, when Chelsea squared up against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Everybody except Chelsea fans was rooting for Bayern Munich on that night because every possible favor was pointing towards the direction of Bayern. The venue was their home, they had more fans in the stadium to spectate the match etc. But as destiny would have it on that night, Chelsea came out winners through Didier Drogba's last penalty kick for Chelsea. 


If everything goes according to plans, Tottenham would welcome their star and best player in Harry Kane, coupled with the form-of-life, which catalyzed Lucas Moura to score a hat-trick against Ajax in the second leg of the semi final. 
If Ugo Iloris is in his best form and the likes of Dele Alli, Hu Ming Son, and Christian Eriksen are firing on all cylinders, the final would be a cracker. 


Liverpool on the other hand, have lost at the same stage of the previous edition of the competition and will not want to see a re-occurrence of such a bitter experience, especially by familiar foes from England. 
Liverpool will be counting on Mohamed Salah to be fit and ready to play against Tottenham. 
The likes of Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita should be ready for the game as well. And if Alisson Becker is also in his usual form, which saw him keep 21 clean sheets in the EPL this just concluded season, it would be really hard to score a goal against him.

Like they say in football, everything is possible. It was indeed possible as Liverpool were deservedly crowned the UCL champions of 2019, even though they couldn't defend the title.
Now another season has come and FC Bayern have been the overwhelming favorite to win the European prestigious cup this season after their demolition of Barcelona to knock them out of the competition. There are other dark horses left who are capable of causing upsets to a team like Bayern. Whether or not that is possible, it remains to be seen.


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