Carlo Ancelotti Has Told Liverpool His Tactics For The Champions League Final

Carlo Ancelotti has already given away Real Madrid's secrets ahead of the Champions League final against Liverpool.

Los Blancos play Jurgen Klopp's side in Paris on 28 May in a repeat of the 2018 final in Kyiv, where Real won 3-1 thanks to some Gareth Bale magic mixed together with Loris Karius' errant goalkeeping.

That secured a 13th European Cup for Real and the Spanish giants are looking to make it 14 in the French capital.

There's plenty of intrigue as to how Ancelotti, a four-time Champions League winner, will approach the game against Liverpool.

Image: PA

But the veteran Italian has quite openly told media what set-up he will be deploying for the showpiece.

"4-3-3," Ancelotti admitted on the formation he will play, as per AS.

"Sometimes it can happen to a 4-4-2. I think there is no defined system, sometimes to press the pivot, as we did against the City, you go from 4-3-3 to 4-4-1-1. The idea doesn't change much, just a little the way to defend the opponent, to pressure them.

Liverpool are expected to line up with a similar system, and they've been given a much-needed boost as Jurgen Klopp has declared Fabinho is fit and available for upcoming fixtures after he went off with an injury in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Image: PA

Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric has been the permanent midfield trio for Real, though Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga have been used on many occasions for their energy.

Ancelotti appeared to reveal that Valverde, as well as Rodrygo Goes - scorer of the first goal in the semi-final second leg against Manchester City - will both start at the Stade de France.

Image: PA

"Both are going to play the final, it's true," Ancelotti commented.

In that second leg, Ancelotti allowed senior players like Kroos and Marcelo to pick substitutions in extra time.

Real, having wrapped up their 35th La Liga title, were given a guard of honour ahead of the 6-0 thrashing of Levante on Thursday.

Vinicius Jr scored a hat-trick, while Karim Benzema, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo was also on target in the defeat that sent Levante down to the Spanish second tier.

Topics: Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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