The 2017/18 UEFA Champions League final is on the 26th May at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.
An Attacking Final
We know Real Madrid will be in the final as they try to make history by winning the tournament for the third time in succession. On Wednesday night, we will find out who will play them as Roma and Liverpool meet in the Stadio Olimpico.
In terms of a showpiece occasion, many football fans will be hoping it is Liverpool who progresses to the final as they have been playing fantastic, attacking the football. One man has inspired Liverpool to this stage of the competition and his name is Mohamed Salah.
Salah’s Importance
The Egyptian forward will return to the home of his previous club on Wednesday night having already left his mark on this tie. Salah scored two goals and was involved in much of Liverpool’s superb attacking display as the Reds defeated Roma 5-2 at Anfield.
Liverpool was leading the game 5-0 when Salah was withdrawn and Jurgen Klopp thought it was a good time to rest his star man. However, the move back-fired somewhat and although Salah is not responsible for his team defensively, Liverpool did not seem the same without him on the pitch.
As Salah watched on from the bench, Roma scored 2 goals and they have given them some belief ahead of this second leg.
There is no doubt Salah will start this match and after what happened in the final 10 minutes at Anfield, Klopp will be hesitant to withdraw him before the end of the game.
Liverpool Counter-Attack
Roma will be looking back on their memorable 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the previous round of the Champions League for inspiration. The Italians defence managed to keep Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at bay for the entire 90 minutes.
However, Liverpool attack in a different way to Barcelona and Salah is arguably the best player in the world on the counter-attack.
Salah and Roberto Firmino have been combining beautifully in recent weeks and if Roma piles too many men forward, they will be waiting to exploit any spaces in the Roma defence.
In all his time at Roma, Salah never came this close to playing in the Champions League final and will be eager to score the crucial away goals which seal his and Liverpool’s place in the final game of the major European season.
First Major Trophy
It doesn’t take long to read the list of trophies Salah has won at club level. In fact, there are just two on the list and that’s the Swiss Super League in 2012/13 and 2013/14. Salah was at Basel when he won these titles but has not won a medal since.
Now would be the perfect time to add another trophy to his display cabinet and they do not come much bigger than the Champions League.
featured image source: GiveMeSport.com
