Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has said that Liverpool started to lose confidence after his team's disallowed goal in the first half of their UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, May 28. He also believes the La Liga champions became more confident from that moment onwards.
Los Blancos beat the Reds 1-0 at the Stade de France in Paris to win a record-extending 14th Champions League title. Interestingly, their 13th also came against Liverpool four years ago in Kiev, with Madrid winning 3-1 on that occasion.
On Saturday in Paris, Liverpool looked to be on the ascendancy in the first half. In the 42nd minute, Karim Benzema thought he had opened after a scrappy play in the box by the Reds.
The Frenchman received a long ball, but his effort was tame. However, a mix-up between Alisson and two Reds players meant the ball fell again to Benzema. The Frenchman finished clinically, but his effort was adjudged offside by the linesman. After a lengthy VAR check, the goal was denied, as it had hit a Reds player before reaching Benzema.
Nevertheless, that apparently rattled the Premier League side, as they lost control of the match. While speaking to CBS Sports after the win, Modric said:
“I think from the disallowed goal, we start(ed) believing more, and I think Liverpool entered a bit (of) panic. They were not that confident anymore, and from there we build up, and we started playing better. In the end, we won, which is most important."
Real Madrid put up yet another clinical performance to beat Liverpool in Champions League final
For all their domination, the Reds were undone by poor defending from their full-backs yet again.
Andy Robertson was caught out of position, allowing Valverde to receive and carry the ball on the right wing. He played a fizzing low cross into the box that was turned in by Vinicius Jr., with Trent Alexander-Arnold caught ball-watching.
It was yet another clinical display from Real Madrid in this year's competition, making the most of their limited chances. Their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was the 'Man of the Match', making a staggering nine saves to thwart the Reds.
The Premier League giants had 24 attempts at goal with nine on target. In comparison, Real Madrid had just four attempts, with two on target. However, they capitalised on one of those chances to win their eighth title in the Champions League era, 14th overall.
KHMMURU07
273
Must be hurt scoring hattrick on how to cry 😂. "Afcon❌.UCL❌.WCQ❌". . . . Wanted Revenge but was humbled by Madrid huh!.
Socbmptuyz
182
There was too much talk of revenge prior to the match by Liverpool players. Almost all Liverpool players past and present with Klopp in exception, spoke too much about revenge to Madrid. Next time keep quiet and win then after you can talk about revenge. My advice.
soldierzway
116
Pep was right when he said the media against him. If it was him and City loosing they talk about lack of character
Sheringbhutan
90
Luka, I clearly remember who said “If we win against PSG dn we ll win for sure “
EmeraldJ
52
But credit to Liverpool for reaching THREE Champions League finals in FOUR years and winning once... Its a sign of a team in the right direction... They are doing well. I celebrate them and their good Coach
Desantos_fan_page
19
Madrid won PSG CHELSEA AND CITY how do you expect them to lose against Liverpool. Congratulations to Real Madrid they deserve it
kayreal
17
Overrated lucky team. Simple.
So you can't beat an overrated lucky team twice in a final....... Wow that's unlucky....... Don't forget an overrated lucky team eliminated you last season too..... Wow thats also unlucky [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
IPEN17
14
I'm a Liverpool but Salah should have learned from his over confidence from AFCON when he said he's not leaving Cameroon without AFCON. Only to repeat a similar mistake by referring to this match as revenge. it was disrespectful and this words will always hunt you. Tuchel said he want to build a team that everyone will be afraid to play against and the words hunted him throughout the season by losing 2 cup finals. Pep underrated madrid by referring that a rebuilding Barcelona won them by 4:0. You all know what happened. The same Pep said late last year that not team can beat City in their present form only to loss that weekend to Spurs. And don't forget that Mourinho's best team once loss to Liverpool so I think and beleive that the gods of football were against us and SALAH Should learn to control his words
Dollarpound
9
hard lesson😬, never plan revenge 😈 on real madrid it will surely end in tears 😭