Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane sees tomorrow night’s UEFA Champions League Final between his side and Liverpool as a toss-up or a pick’em. He doesn’t believe that his team, winners of the last two UCL tournaments, and three of the last four, are overwhelming favorites.
The line does have Los Blancos, who have won 12 European Cups in their history, significantly more than anyone else, as favorites, but not by a massive margin.
“People can say many things, but we know it is not like that,” Zidane told reporters at his prematch news conference in Kiev today.
“It is 50/50, like all finals. We must play a great game to win it. In the dressing-room, we do not feel like favorites.”
Real will be looking to become the first side to win three European titles in a row since Bayern Munich in the mid 1970s. How did they get here, and achieve such a high level? A winning hand of talent and very hard work, according to the Frenchman.
“A lot of hard work, talent for sure, but a lot of hard work. As it is not easy to reach a final. I live for this,” said Zidane.
“It is my passion, I have always competed, I like that. Behind that there is a lot of hard work, by the players. That is what this club has. I like to compete, and in the end, when you are at Real Madrid, and you work hard, you can achieve what we are doing.”
We’ll see tomorrow night if Madrid can retain their title as Reyes Del Europa (the Kings of Europe).
Odds: Real Madrid 4/6, Liverpool 6/5
Jurgen Klopp Press Conference Video: go to this link
For a review of the Real Madrid Stadium Tour: go to this link
Injury Report Team News on Both Sides: go to this link
Liverpool starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Real Madrid starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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