Liverpool coached by Jürgen Klopp makes the game in the Champions League final in Paris, but Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid wins it. The chaos before kick-off sparks discussion.
The Real Madrid team celebrates their 14th Champions League victory in club history
“I'm not sure it's possible to organize an event worse than that, even if you put your mind to it,” said former England international Gary Lineker in a tweet to UEFA: “Absolutely chaotic and dangerous.”
What got the 61-year-old upset was the conditions around the Stade de France in Paris before the start of the Champions League final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid. Allegedly, English fans in particular had to wait hours to be admitted to the stadium. The situation escalated shortly before the originally planned kick-off date. Some fans climbed over the fences. The police took action to bring the situation under control.
“There is chaos,” reported DW reporter Matt Pearson of the situation at the entrances to the stadium. “Tear gas is in the air. Fans are trying to get in and the police are storming the gates.” Others reported that the police used pepper spray.
Real goalkeeper Courtois outstanding
The game started 36 minutes late. And it almost seemed as if English runners-up Liverpool FC wanted to compensate those Reds fans who had made it to the stadium late or not at all. The team of the successful German coach Jürgen Klopp literally squeezed the Spanish champions Real Madrid in his half. Egyptian star striker Mohamed “Mo” Salah alone had three good chances. Real Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois deflected a shot by Senegalese Sadio Mané with his fingertips onto the post (21st minute). But despite the great superiority, Liverpool didn't get anything countable.
Then Real caught themselves – and suddenly the ball was in the English goal. France's star striker Karim Benzema (43rd) had promoted him there. However, video evidence was found to be offside and the goal did not count.
The 21-year-old Brazilian Vinicius Junior scores the winning goal for Real
The picture was the same in the second half: Liverpool dominated the game, Real's outstanding goalkeeper Courtois saved what was to be saved and his team-mates waited for counterattacks. Such then brought the 1-0 (59th) for Madrid. Brazilian Vinicius Junior pushed the ball over the line. Liverpool never gave up, but Real brought the win with Courtois and a lot of coolness over time. “We played well, the lads gave everything,” said a disappointed Jürgen Klopp after the game. “But in the end it's the result that counts. Real Madrid are just totally ripped off.”
Ancelotti for the fourth time, Kroos for the fifth time
It was the fourth Champions League for Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti – Triumph of his career. He is the sole record holder. “I still can't believe it,” said the 62-year-old. “We suffered a bit in the first half, but the commitment and commitment were perfect. And in the end everything was fine.”
Ancelotti had previously won the highest European club title twice with AC Milan (2003 and 2007) and once with Real (2014). Jürgen Klopp, on the other hand, was empty-handed for the third time in his fourth Champions League final. He only brought the trophy to Anfield Road in 2019.
Toni Kroos is happy about his fifth Champions League title
Toni Kroos' final record in the European premier class looks much better. The former German national player – world champion of 2014 – triumphed for the fifth time: once (2013) he had won the title with FC Bayern, now for the fourth time with Real. With Champions League success number five, Kroos drew level with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, among others. The 32-year-old commented on the success against Liverpool in a ZDF interview: “We put up a great fight. We won. Done.”