Champions League final: Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez or Isco? Real Madrid’s predicted line-up to face Liverpool
Zinedine Zidane has a fully fit squad to choose from for the final
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid go into Saturday’s Champions League final with Liverpool with manager Zinedine Zidane having a selection headache – of the good kind.
Unlike Liverpool, who have had three players ruled out through injury who otherwise may have started and a couple of late fitness worries, Real have a clean bill of health for Zidane to choose from.
Some players of course pick themselves, but the main selection headache for the Frenchman comes with deciding who will play to the right of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in the front three.
Gareth Bale’s exquisite recent form has seen him with the strongest shout of starting, having been restricted to a 10-minute cameo in last year’s final in his home town of Cardiff.
However, Zidane may opt to instead go for the running and industry of Lucas Vazquez, as he did in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich. Vazquez’s discipline could be integral in shackling Liverpool’s attacking threat.
The third option is Isco, whose form at the tail end of last season inspired Real to their 12th European Cup, but he has struggled to replicate that so far this season, and therefore is the outside bet of the three to start.
Will Zidane go for all-out attack, and meet fire with fire and start Bale, or go for the more cautious approach with Vazquez? Scroll through the gallery at the top of the page to see the probable Real XI to face Liverpool in Kiev.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments