
Preview: Champions League Final

By Oliver Lewis
May 25, 2023
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ISTANBUL, TUR - In what promises to be a mouth-watering contest, Manchester United will take on Liverpool in the Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey in two days' time. These two rivals will be meeting for the third time this season, with the stakes higher than ever before. Manchester United will be looking to defend their crown and lift the trophy for the fifth time in the club's history, while Liverpool will be hoping to add to their six European Cup titles.
This season, Liverpool managed to edge out United to win the Premier League, but United will be out for revenge in this final. In the regular season, Liverpool defeated United 2-1 at Anfield, while United earned a come-from-behind draw, 2-2, at Old Trafford in April. Both teams have had impressive runs to the final, with Liverpool defeating Borussia Monchengladbach, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, while United overcame Stade Rennais, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.
Manchester United's attack is led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been in exceptional form this season and claimed the Premier League Golden Boot. He is joined by Marcus Rashford, who has been a constant threat down the left flank, and Julián Álvarez, who has shown glimpses of his stardome in his second season at the club. The midfield is anchored by Bruno Fernandes, who has been United's anchor all season, and Renato Sanches, who has been a revelation since joining the club in January. In defense, Raphaël Varane and Oumar Solet have formed a solid partnership, and their performances have been a key factor in United's success this season.
Liverpool's attacking trio of Sadio Mané, Mo Salah, and Darwin Núñez have been on fire this season, scoring a combined total of 65 goals in all competitions. Luis Diaz has also emerged as a key player for Liverpool this season, scoring some crucial goals in the knockout stages of the Champions League. In midfield, Youri Tielemans has been a standout performer, controlling the tempo of the game and creating chances for the attackers. In defense, Virgil van Dijk has returned from injury and has looked as commanding as ever, while Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold provide the width and creativity from the full-back positions.
Both teams have exceptional talent, but it will be the battle between Ronaldo and Van Dijk that will be the most intriguing. Ronaldo has been in electric form this season, scoring 27 goals in the Premier League alone, while Van Dijk will be looking to keep him quiet and show why he is considered one of the best defenders in the world. It promises to be a fascinating matchup that could swing the game in either team's favor.
Many pundits and betting lines are leaning towards Liverpool to win the Champions League final. Liverpool had a stronger regular season, winning the Premier League title, while Manchester United finished second fiddle each time they came head-to-head. However, as we have seen in previous finals, anything can happen on the day and Manchester United will certainly not be an easy team to beat.
The atmosphere in Istanbul is sure to be electric, with both sets of fans making the trip to support their teams. The stakes couldn't be higher, and the pressure will be on both sides to perform at their best. The final promises to be a spectacle, with two of the biggest clubs in world football going head-to-head for the ultimate prize.
As the countdown to the final begins, both sets of fans will be eagerly anticipating the matchup, hoping that their team can come out on top. For Manchester United, it's a chance to defend their title and cement their status as one of the best teams in Europe, while for Liverpool, it's an opportunity to add to their illustrious history and lift the trophy for the first time since 2019. It's all to play for, and the world will be watching as these two giants of English football go head-to-head in what promises to be an unforgettable final.
(Photos by Holly Richardson / Associated Press)


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Oliver Lewis is a staff writer at The Athletic covering Manchester United. Previously, he wrote for ESPN. Follow Oliver on Twitter @OliverLewisAthletic.


































































































































































































































































































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