If the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool was a boxing match, then Jurgen Klopp's side would have won on points.
That's according to former Reds defender Steve Nicol, who believes winners Real Madrid were "way off" being the better team at the Stade de France. You can watch Nicol's argument on ESPN FC's YouTube channel below.
Do you agree with his statements?
Nicol, a former Scotland international who made 343 appearances during a 13-year spell at Anfield, also claims Los Blancos "rode their luck" in Saturday night's showpiece event.
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In fact, he went on to question Carlo Ancelotti's post-match comments about how Madrid 'managed the game well' against the Premier League runners up.
"The fact is, as far as the way they played, Liverpool were the best team but they didn't score and lost the game," Nicol said. "It doesn't mean anything other than that. Real Madrid rode their luck.
"And you do have to think about what Carlo Ancelotti said after the game. He said they managed the game well.
"I mean, I guess he's being very, very optimistic because if that's how he wanted to play the game, by having one shot at goal and his goalkeeper making three incredible saves, then I'm not going along with that."
Nicol added: "Listen, if it was a boxing match, Liverpool would have won on points. But it's not. You've got to score goals. And that's it.
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"Real Madrid have won it. You can't change it but they weren't the better team. They were way off being the better team. But they got it done."
Thibaut Courtois' outstanding Man of the Match performance for the La Liga champions played a huge part in Los Blancos winning their 14th Champions League title.
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After the full-time whistle, Ancelotti was full of praise for the Belgian shot-stopper.
“I said to Thibaut I’ll get you to the final and then you’ll win us the match. That is what happened,” he said. “The game was difficult but not as difficult as previous games because we didn’t have to come back with the score.
“Yes, I had doubt but the players didn’t have doubt. The players believed, believed, believed. We were under-control and tactically we worked well. Liverpool put pressure on us, shot a lot of times but we managed the game well.
“Liverpool are a great team, they haven’t lost many games this season. I think it is easier to win the Champions League with Real Madrid than with other clubs.
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“The fans are special and born with a passion for the club. The structures at the club make this a special place. It has been very easy to coach this team.”
Thoughts on Nicol's comments? Let us know.
Topics: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Champions League
