Race to become the King of Europe has entered the last lap. Kiev is all set to celebrate crowing of the best European club of 2017-18.

Real Madrid are gunning for their 13th European championship and an unprecedented third consecutive title. Their opponents in the final will be Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

England’s most successful club in European competitions will look to lift their sixth European Cup title. This will be Klopp’s second Champions League final. He will hope to go one better this time and get his hands on the coveted trophy.

While their semifinal wins against Bayern Munich and AS Roma were ‘undeserved’ in eyes of some, fans can expect an entertaining final between two of the best attacking sides in Europe.

In this article, the probable starting XIs of Real Madrid and Liverpool will be previewed and rated. It can help get an idea about what to expect when the sides line up on 27th May, 2018.

Real Madrid

Coach: Zinedine Zidane
Captain: Sergio Ramos
Likely formation: 4-3-3

Possible Playing XI
Goalkeeper- Keylor Navas
Age- 31
Rating- 7.4
The Costa Rican glovesman had one of his best Real Madrid displays against Bayern Munich in second leg of the semifinal. He has been vital as Madrid look to win their third consecutive UEFA Champions League.

It’s a matter of shame that his inconsistency for Los Blancos has attracted criticism. Some pundits and a large section of fans have said that he is not good enough to be Madrid’s first choice keeper.

With Madrid taking an active interest in Thibaut Courtois and David De Gea, he may find his future uncertain. Navas will look to continue his good form in the Kiev finals and get a hat-trick of European trophies.

LB- Marcelo
Age- 29
Rating- 8.4
Marcelo brings loads of experience to Real Madrid side. The wily left back has served Madrid for 11 years since joining as a teenager from Brazil’s Fluminense. Notching up over 300 career appearances, he will need to be at his defensive best to nullify Mohammad Salah. Their duel can decide which way the final goes.

Praised by Roberto Carlos for being technically better than himself, Marcelo has the weakness of not tracking back enough after going forward. This was exploited by Celta Vigo’s Daniel Wass during January’s 2-2 draw. He will need to curb his attacking instincts in the final and focus on his positioning.

CB- Raphael Varane
Age- 25
Rating- 8.8
Much was said when Varane was signed by Madrid seven years ago. Also sought by Sir Alex Ferguson, Varane’s signing fee of around ten million Euros has been a bargain. He has grown leaps and bounds and is one of the most reliable defenders in Europe. He replaced Pepe from Real Madrid’s defence around four years back. He has been extremely crucial as Madrid bid to win another European trophy.

He was not at his best in the match against Bayern and criticised by some for being too ‘weak’. Real Madrid will want Varane to perform to his potential for stopping Liverpool’s strong attacking trio.

CB- Sergio Ramos (captain)
Age- 32
Rating- 9
The captain and leader. Much of Real Madrid’s recent success (three Champions Leagues in last four seasons) is given to Sergio Ramos. He has represented every bit of Real Madrid’s spirit since joining from Sevilla. Starting as a right back, Ramos has made the centre back position his at the club.

Criticised for being too rowdy at times, Ramos has the knack of scoring at important moments. His defensive mistakes could have caused Madrid dearly against Bayern Munich. With Varane, Ramos forms one of the strongest centre back pairings in the game. He will have to play a pivotal role to lift third consecutive Champions League.

Right Back- Dani Carvajal
Age- 26
Rating- 7.9
Carvajal has made the right back spot of his own since joining Real Madrid five years ago. The former Real Madrid academy product developed immensely during his stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

His importance to the European champions was highlighted when Alaba and Ribery wreaked havoc from the left wing. Madrid will love to have him back in time for the Kiev final. He will have a tough task of defending livewire Sadio Mane in the final.

With world cup in sights and a chance to lift third consecutive Champions League, Carvajal will want to go out and perform in the final.

CM- Casemiro
Age- 26
Rating- 8.5
Zinedine Zidane did not have the best starts to his Real Madrid managerial career. It was after he started Casemiro that Real Madrid’s fortunes changed. He changed the system from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 to accommodate the Brazilian.

It gave more freedom to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. They contributed more in attacking third for Madrid. Called by Juventus manager Allegri as the most important Madrid player before 2017 final, Casemiro’s action packed style of play carries the risk of bookings. However, his positioning and man marking can be what sets Real Madrid apart in the Kiev final.

CM- Luka Modric
Age- 32
Rating- 8.7
Now 32, Modric is showing no signs of slowing down. He has been worth every 30 Million pounds spent by Madrid. He had a slow start to his Los Blancos career. Carlo Ancelotti’s 2014 arrival cemented his position in Madrid’s side. He has enjoyed the creative freedom in the 3-men midfield under Zidane.

With a keen passing range, he can control and build the game. He possesses a strong skills set and had one of his best performances in Real Madrid shirt during 2017 final. Modric’s experience will be crucial in Kiev when they will look to lift third consecutive Champions League title, this time at Liverpool’s expense.

CM- Toni Kroos
Age- 28
Rating- 8.9
Along with Modric and Casmiro, this German forms Real Madrid’s midfield trio. A quick thinker with an excellent passing range, Kroos possesses a very good shooting technique. His vision and distribution has made Real Madrid’s attackers tick time and again. If Modric is finesse, Kroos is technique.

Two weaknesses in his game are his lack of speed and comparatively less defensive work. He makes these up by his ability to knock the ball around and build the game. Liverpool will have a good central defensive pairing in Virgil Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren. Kroos’s technique will be key for Madrid wants to open the opposition up.

LW- Isco
Age- 26
Rating- 8.7
With his Real Madrid career in balance, Isco will want to have another stellar performance in the Champions League final. After being entrusted to start, Isco has developed a lot to take Gareth Bale out from Madrid’s starting line-up.

Zidane has given him the freedom to roam around the midfield and Isco is bearing fruits. His darting runs into spaces between opposition defenders and ability to pass disrupts the defensive shape of opposition.

He is also one of the ‘press- resistant’ footballers in the modern game. With Klopp likely to employ gegenpressing, Isco can be the x-factor in Kiev final for Real Madrid.

ST- Karim Benzema
Age- 30
Rating- 7.9
The Frenchman has been heavily criticised recently. He has scored mere 11 goals this season. However, two of them were in the crucial semifinal second leg against Bayern. He has scored over 50 goals in Champions League and brings loads of experience to this talented side.

More than goal scoring, Benzema’s strength is his ability to link-up with Real Madrid’s attackers. This is a reason for Zidane to entrust his fellow Frenchman in difficult matches. This can be his final Real Madrid game. Benzema will love to prove his worth by contributing in Real Madrid’s third consecutive Champions League.

RM- Cristiano Ronaldo
Age- 33
Rating- 9.5
At 33, Ronaldo is arguably world’s best footballer. He can cross, dribble, pass, head and score goals for fun. One of the greatest players of all time, he holds the record of most goals (120) and most individual wins (96) in his Champions League career.

Ronaldo leads the scoring charts of this season’s Champion’s League as well (15 goals). He is in an amazing form since the turn of year with 26 goals. A win in Kiev can be his fifth career Champions League trophy. A victory in Ukraine can bolster his claim for another Ballon D’Or. He is the biggest threat in Liverpool’s pursuit of sixth European Title.

Liverpool FC

Coach: Jürgen Klopp
Captain: Jordan Henderson
Likely formation: 4-3-3

Possible Playing XI
Goalkeeper- Loris Karius
Age- 24
Rating- 7.2
The German has improved over last season after arriving from Mainz 05. He has looked solid and confident. During this season, he has replaced Simon Mignolet as Liverpool’s fist choice goalkeeper.

This talented goalkeeper can dominate his penalty area and manage the defensive line. He is a more than decent handler with quality reflexes. However, his knack of rash judgment can cost his team dearly. Liverpool are rumored to be interested in signing new first choice keeper. Impressive displays in Kiev final can help him consolidate the position at the club.

Left Back- Andrew Robertson
Age- 24
Rating: 7.6
Robertson has been impressive since joining from Hull City before this season. Starting as an understudy to Alberto Moreno, he has featured regularly since Moreno got injured in December. An attacking threat who is a good defender, Robertson is a workhorse on field. He has been very important in Liverpool’s journey to Kiev finals. He has emerged as a no nonsense defender who does not do many mistakes.

While Robertson has repaid Klopp’s faith, he is yet to face a player of Ronaldo’s calibre this season. Like Salah versus Marcelo, Robertson versus Ronaldo can be the decisive clash in the Champions League final.

Centre Back- Dejan Lovren
Age- 28
Rating- 7.9
Lovren had a dismal start to his Liverpool career since joining from Southampton in 2014. Some said he couldn’t handle the 20-million pounds price stag pressure, others felt he is just not good enough to play for a club like Liverpool. A defender with good physical attributes, Lovren’s mistakes ploughed Liverpool in the past.

However, in this season and especially after Van Dijk’s arrival, Lovren has been solid. At 28, Lovren has showed glimpses of his Southampton performances for the first time in four years. Coming off a good season, Lovren will need to be at the top of his game to curb Real Madrid in Ukraine.

Centre Back- Virgil Van Dijk
Age- 26
Rating- 8.2
Klopp broke the bank when he signed Van Dijk for 75 million pounds in January. A commanding defender, Liverpool have looked more solid since the Dutchman joined from Southampton. A passionate footballer and a good header, Van Dijk has been an upgrade on current defenders at the club.

Consistent displays have made him a fan favourite at the Anfield. According to Celtic’s former scout Nigel McGuinness (who spotted Van Dijk at Groningen), the player’s biggest weakness is ‘switching off’ at crucial junctures. He should avoid this while facing a talented Madrid attack and be solid alongside Lovren in the final.

Right Back- Trent Alexander-Arnold
Age- 19
Rating- 7.5
Trent is another talented youngster through the ranks of Liverpool. An attack- minded full- back, he has been impressive this season. He gained accolades for his performance against Manchester City’s Leroy Sane. He is perfectly suited in Liverpool’s uber- attacking style of play. His football is compared to Marcelo, who Trent will face in Kiev. While close control, pace and dribbling and pace are his skills, his positioning and defensive work needs work. Trent was lucky as his hand ball went unpunished during the semi final in Rome. In the final, he will relish the challenge of another talented footballer in Isco.

Centre Midfielder- Jordan Henderson (Captain)
Age- 27
Rating- 7.9
Over the course of this season, Henderson has grown in stature as the Liverpool captain. He is in fine form and has made number six position his own. A box-to-box midfielder, Henderson is expected to be a part of England’s midfield during World Cup.

He has a fine passing range with a good sense of the game. However, he struggles when put under too much pressure. He was really good in breaking down Roma’s attempts to carry the ball ahead in the first leg of semifinal of Anfield. Madrid with Casemiro-Kroos-Modric will be a different opposition. Henderson needs to shine to win the midfield battle.

Centre Midfielder- Georginio Wijnaldum
Age- 27
Rating- 7.7
A talented Dutchman, Wijnaldum scored his first away goal after coming to English football in Rome. His strength and work rate have been crucial in Klopp’s three-man midfield. He is a dynamic midfielder who has a good sense of football. He can play as a holding midfielder, on left side of midfield or also in number ten role where he played at the start of his Newcastle United career.

It is debatable that had Emre Can been fit, Wijnaldum would not be in the starting line-up. He needs to be on top of his game to outclass Real Madrid’s star studded midfield and win the Champions League later this month.

Centre Midfielder- James Milner
Age- 32
Rating- 7.8
What he lacks in goals and assists, Milner makes for it in his versatility. He can play on either flank, in centre midfield or also as an emergency wingback. With over 400 career appearances, Milner is likely to be the most experienced player on pitch for Liverpool at Kiev.

He was described as ‘the most complete English player in modern game’ by his former manager Manuel Pellegrini for his all round capability and commitment. Milner has been Liverpool’s best midfielder in the run to this season’s final. Klopp will hope that Milner’s experience will come in handy to stop Real Madrid in the Kiev final.

Left Midfielder- Sadio Mane
Rating- 8.8
Age- 26
Liverpool have one of the most potent attacking trio in world football. They must be at best for Liverpool to win Ukraine. Sadio Mane will start as the left midfielder in the Champions League final. Some says he has not been able to replicate last season’s masterclass, but Mane has already scored 19 and assisted further nine this season.

He hit a hat trick against FC Porto in Portugal and scored in both legs of semi-final. Right back position has been an Achilles heel for Madrid in quarter-finals and semifinals. With Carrvajal back, it will be one of the interesting duels to impact the outcome of the final.

Striker- Roberto Firmino
Rating- 9
Age- 26
Firmino is expected to lead the line against Los Blancos in the final. With a very good work rate, he possesses a certain Brazilian finesse and flair. Firmino thrives in Klopp’s system of gegenpressing. He can use physique to steal balls off defenders and dribble around opposition defence to release Mane or Mohammad Salah.

“He is the best player without scoring with how well he reads the game for benefit of others”, quoted Jurgen Klopp in an interview to Goal.com. However, with 27 goals and 17 assists, he is having the best season of his life. Firmino versus Casemiro can be an interesting duel during the 27th May final.

Right Midfielder- Mohamed Salah
Rating- 9.5
Age- 25
Signed from AS Roma before the start of this season, Salah is the best player of this talented team. A lanky, pacy winger, he has a knack of goal scoring. With 43 goals and 15 assists, he is the main force in Liverpool challenging for their sixth European Championship.

Unlike Firmino, he relies on raw pace instead of dribbling. He is at his lethal best when he finds himself in space. This Egyptian recently became English football’s player of the season. His performances have brought him in Ballon D’Or contention as well.

In Marcelo, Real Madrid have a attacking left back. Their match-up can decide which way the final goes in Ukraine.

Probable line-up total
Real Madrid: 93.7
Liverpool: 89.1