on the Champions League final. This is a huge game, Liverpool
against Real Madrid in Paris. Say no more. I mean to European
Giants, a great European city
squaring off at the stade de France, Nick
for Liverpool. How can they win this final? What are the keys
for them? Because in Midfield and particular for be Neo.
Tiago struggling with injuries, that seems like
kind of where this games, but he's going to be won and lost,
right?
Yeah. I mean, honestly, I'm going to move past tactics.
Almost immediately and say, the key to me, is that that term,
we hear all the time, right mentality monsters. I do
believe it's
a little overblown.
I believe there are a lot of teams for our mentality
monsters, when you're absolutely monstrous group of
talent. And I mean, Liverpool spent an awful lot of money on
a really good deep team.
But this is a test. I just called your green clot, my
manager, the year,
getting these boys who, you know,
they would never admit it. The quadruple was in their heads.
They have been thinking about it for at least two months. If
not, the whole season and I Just think getting off the map
is going to be very
it's going to be a huge test of clout. In fact, I don't think
he's a failure if they don't get off the mat because it's
that hard to do, the only hope they have
is that Real Madrid
just kicking it back into.
Hey, it's the biggest game of the year
after a couple of weeks of sipping pina, coladas at
the beach is Joe likes to say,
you know, or whatever. I don't know what the drink is there,
Spanish wine,
but I'm saying, you know what I mean? Like they have
umbrellas were involved, is what I'm saying.
Sangria, probably a nice sangria. I can you call. Angela
addition out. Don't worry guys. We can draw another couple of
games in La Liga, but just make sure you're ready on May 28 in
Paris.
Andy, when it comes to Real Madrid, what's key for them?
Because Midfield Trio, the Krause Casimir obviously
moderates, just dominate games, but camera fingers play. This
is part coming off the bench and really is
an emerging Talent. We know we knew is great. But he's really
showing it in this Champions League run,
but for Madrid, I feel like there's
Key battles there, where they can get the better, a Liverpool
beer vinicius against Trent down the one flank. And of
course, Benzema against Virgil Van Dyke has an absolutely
colossal battle. Especially Van Dyke having some injury issues
recently. So
yeah, I just feel like there's
really different. This is really difficult to call
because Liverpool and it clearly the better overall team
around. Madrid have the players that have more experience in
these situations
and can show up in
Moments of games, right? And a 5-10 minutes junk. Yeah, there's
some of them do.
The Madrid Squad is weird.
There's a lot of 30-plus guys and there's a lot of 2423 and
under guys. I there's a kind of a middle part of the squad is
kind of missing the link between those two generations,
if you will. And so
there is experience on one half of the squad. Whereas, with
Liverpool
for the most part, A lot of them were around for at least
one of the Champions League finals that they were in
the one that they want against Tottenham. And a lot of them
were For the first one against Real Madrid as well. So
I think the experience is actually probably pretty even
maybe even shade slightly into Liverpool's favor. I think from
Madrid. What I am most excited about is not for me personally,
but for everyone, for the World At Large to be really fully
introduced to camera vanga,
just the level of player
that this young, what 19 year old kid is,
and that he is ascended to in some of the biggest games this
season. He was so, so good in the semi-final in that second
leg is they As they did what they did against Manchester
City.
I'm excited for that. I think it's about as even of a matchup
as you can have. I think tactically, a favors Liverpool.
I think the narrative and just kind of the flow of the season,
if you will probably favors Real Madrid because if
I looked at it, I looked at
Andy Robertson. When he did the interview pitch side at anfield
on Sunday clop. Just the
body language in the facial expression, said, I'm done.
I am tired. I am ready to be on that beach, where real Dread
were a couple weeks ago. I bet he would probably say
if we can have a week on the beach and then we could begin
a couple weeks of preparation for this Champions League final.
I'd be very happy with that. So, maybe maybe Real Madrid by
winning the title when they did,
we're able to take a little time off. Rest ramp back up
slowly with a couple of La Liga games left. And then, you know,
build up to the climax of the season with the Champions
League final. You know, what, though? This kind of works two
ways.
I feel like I was trapped with Robin must know about this
after Championship Sunday. And is it actually a good thing? At
Madrid, a
struggling through the end of the season and they've been
resting players.
Whereas Liverpool Bingo full palette. They have their
Rhythm. They have been rotating the squad but they're kind of
in full flow right now and it's kind of difficult. I think if
you're a professional athlete in any sport to, then just take
a break and then go straight back into it at the highest
level. These
guys can Benzema moderate, all these
top players, but
that is a really interesting thing as well, which again,
makes it so even because I feel like, usually we'd say, all
real been rested. They're fine.
But I do feel like you lose a bit of Rhythm and maybe
Liverpool might have that edge over them. Do you guys hear me?
Yeah. Hey, Nick, the the rest versus rust
debate has made its way to England.
You know, what? Yeah.
I think this there's,
there's a level of almost conditioning
that comes to being that intense all the time
and maybe it is a little easier for Liverpool to say, we go one
more time. I'm think of that scene in Miracle, Worker
Brooks, gives them the 15th time, you know,
they have been there.
And I do think that that clicking back into gear
maybe maybe for 60 Minutes Liverpool, if they can get a lead,
maybe that's it.
And they just got to hold on but
I just to play for Jurgen klopp and what he demands rightfully.
So
it's why they're so good.
I can't imagine having a whole lot left in the tank right now.
No, definitely not. Okay. Let's predict who's going to win it.
Then easy question. And then I'm going to start with you.
Who's going to win the Champions League?
Real Madrid. I picked him before the knockout. Let's
stick with them
- agree with
Real Madrid.
Liverpool give up big chances. We saw it against wolves and
Korean bends, but hasn't been missing those lately.
You know, what? I was, I thought I was going to be
the only one who's gonna go for around Madrid. And I remember
Andy weeks ago, pick them. So
I think it's a clean sweep. I actually do think that.
I here's a stronger prediction. I actually think look for. Go
ahead
and then I think Grandma dribble do that thing where
20-25 minutes ago.
Oh They'll rally ends of middle score big gold and maybe
finishes will Rodrigo or someone else will pop up with a winner.
I honestly think that
they just have that
we talked about it before
the arrow of Destiny about them
with this season. This team, the blend of your youth
experience that they have. It just seems to be a bit of
a perfect storm for Real Madrid, but it would not surprise me as
well as Liverpool were three or four new up at half-time.
I just totally blew them away because
they had that in their locker as well, but I'm glad you
know, too. When basis, who it always blows my mind because it
just doesn't register for me
to Fan bases, who want this trophy more than their league.
It really feels like most years. Yeah, and it just feels
like a really perfect end to an amazing season and this
competition, and in Europe, generally with
the two ugly, biggest, most successful teams in this
competition,
squaring off in Paris, wonderful European city, and
I think it's going to be a great game open. It's not going to be
tight. Other things going to be doubt. It's going to be a lot
of chances. A lot of good attacking pie.
And let's see what happens but I'm Pro Shop a talk on. NBC
sports.com will have you covered with all the latest
Champions League? Final news, preview how to watch
information and Analysis during the game. And after it in
Paris, going to be one. Heck of a
way to finish the season gents and thanks for joining me all
season. This has been amazing. And thanks everyone for
watching. Pro soccer talk. Really appreciate all your
comments and just have a great summer will be here though.
I just want to plug this, we're going
to be talking about the transfer news throughout the
We're going nowhere. We're going to keep doing these shows
throughout the summer months. So look forward to seeing you
all very soon. Gents pleasure. As always. Thanks for a great
Premier League season
at thanks for another great Pro socket or take care. Cheers
guys.