The keys to the Paris final, by Lobo Carrasco

1. RHYTHM AGAINST ‘I WILL NOT GIVE UP’

Liverpool’s spirited Jurgen Kloop reached this Champions League finals with goals and a solid step into the various qualifiers. Both at Anfield and away, a scary team that uses 1-4-3-3 with forwards who prefer depth over passing and position.

All teams formed/trained by the German coach have one common denominator: when they can run, they will run you. They call it, hell beat.

On the other hand, white, a team that shattered dreams for a few minutes but… repeated. If the qualifiers lasted 180 minutes, Ancellotti’s staff with 15 ‘, 10’ or even 6 ‘, returned all the markers against. The luck factor does not exist in the face of so much ongoing response.

They come back through unity, faith, quality, innovation (from the bench) and support/push from the Bernabéu. Those special nights, we also experience at Camp Nou.

2. SALVADOR COURTOIS, DEAR BENZEMA

Madrid have arrived at the Stade de France repeatedly removing the rope around their necks. And he did it because, apart from the collective virtues mentioned, they had the Belgian goalkeeper and the French scorer.

Both have experience, both play matches in the frame. The goalkeeper avoids goal and settlement scandals (Chelsea and Manchester City); Karim makes mistakes (especially with Donnarumma) and scores goals as if he were Cristiano Ronaldo himself. He took the lead from Sergio Ramos and Messi’s crown in LaLiga. Steps forward.

For Liverpool to win its seventh title, it will have to underestimate the Madrid captain and be deadly in the merengue area. Football is overseen by Luka Modric but, ‘at his own pace’.

3. AGAINST ME MADRID WILL NEVER COME BACK

Liverpool have the best winger in the world, Alexander Arnold. Left-footed Robertson will also climb but the right-back’s technique makes a difference. Fouls, corners or crooked centers of the highest quality. If Madrid closes, the work of Kloop’s wingers could be key to accessing the venue in addition to against one of Salah, Luis Díaz or Mané.

The finals were won from the first ball in play, clever tactics, mental courage and genius. There was a smell of fear in England if their team came in with a favorable score in the final minutes and … I remember what I did to close out important games.

Last Sunday, the final date of the championship, Gabriel Jesus also did it against Aston Villa (3-2 for Pep’s staff). Monumental comeback -to win the Premier- and, ball in the corner. That’s where the game ended, minute 88 ‘, to Liverpool’s annoyance and Steven Gerrard’s desire to equalize.

Don’t even think about it, my statistic is this: every time I take the ball to the corner, we win. In the final minutes you don’t play to score another goal; you play to give up the rival.