“Crumbling once can happen, twice is really terrible at this level. Never did it look like Barcelona were going to react after conceding the second goal, and there was plenty of time to do it”
WINNERS
Jurgen Klopp
The man behind the miracle. Without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino he had to reinvent his attack, and not only make the perfect tactical changes but also find the right words to motivate his men to do it.
They did it and maintained the vital clean sheet. Klopp left nothing to chance, even knowing how Barcelona would be distracted on set pieces, a detail that was key in the fourth goal. A phenomenal coach and manager.
Anfield
The stuff of dreams. The impossible turned into reality. It wasn’t just those on the pitch, but also those on the stands making it all the more possible.
The electrifying Liverpool fans after the dramatic finish against Barcelona. Image Courtesy: Daily Mail
The team believed in it, the fans did too, and Liverpool delivered, just as much as Anfield. Seeing all the players, staff and manager singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with the fans after the final whistle is breathtaking. Football at its highest point.
Lucas Moura
The scenes at full time, after his 95th-minute winner that sends Spurs to the Champions League final.
Lucas Moura: The symbol of courage and hope. Image Courtesy: AFP
A hat-trick in the most important game of his career to show everyone what he is really capable of. Finally, European football can see the real Lucas Moura.
Tottenham
The first ever European Cup final for Spurs, and what a way to reach it, with one of the most dramatic comebacks in the history of the Beautiful Game.
After losing the first leg and being 2-0 down at the half time, everything seemed lost, but Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to bring on Fernando Llorente was the spark that changed the face of the Tottenham attack, leading eventually to the unreal comeback.
LOSERS
Barcelona
Crumbling once can happen, twice is really terrible at this level. Never did it look like Barcelona were going to react after conceding the second goal, and there was plenty of time to do it.
After Rome, Liverpool, with the same first leg and the same final result. The defending on that corner kick was simply ridiculous at this level, in Europe’s top football competition. Terrible.
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Luis Suarez
He had announced not celebrating at Anfield. And in the end, he kept his promise. Jokes aside, where was Suarez when Barcelona needed his goals?
Lis Suarez cut a frustrating figure at Anfield against Barcelona. Image Courtesy: Daily Mail
Lionel Messi overall disappointed too, but still the mastermind behind most of the Blaugrana’s attacks. Suarez, on the other hand, was a ghost. Instead of showing his former fans what they’ve been missing, he played a part in giving them the perfect night.
Ajax
The most exciting team of the year will regardless go down in history. But with Frenkie De Jong already officially a Barcelona player, and many more on their way out, this Ajax side will be dismantled, meaning the wasted opportunity remains massive.
The Ajax team after being defeated by Tottenham. Image Courtesy: Facebook
The Dutch side was moments away from the final, were 2-0 up at the half time, and somehow let everyone down right when it mattered most. A round of applause regardless.
It felt like one of those old flicks they show on Saturday afternoons in which the gang successfully gets together for one final, big heist. Except, even without Mbappe, you suspect this won't be their last -- not when there's a guy like Ancelotti, one of the few men who can pull off the cardigan-cigar-shades combination and lead a team in transition to a league and cup double. Not with young guns - Vinicius, Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo - already with the "big one" under their belt. Not with Courtois, in the prime of his career, staking a claim as the world's No. 1 between the posts and getting a few things off his chest. ("We showed again who is the King of Europe.")
