Carlo Ancelotti has shared the formation he will use in the Champions League final against Liverpool while naming two players who are set to start the showpiece fixture in Paris.
Jurgen Klopp's side will face Los Blancos in two weeks at Stade de France, with the Reds chasing a seventh European Cup and the perfect ending to the 2021/22 season. The two sides went head-to-head in Kyiv in the 2018 final and Liverpool will be out for revenge after the heartbreak of this fixture.
Madrid booked their place in this year's final against all the odds, producing a remarkable late comeback to knock Manchester City out of the competition. The second half introductions of Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo proved to be an inspired call from Ancelotti as both players helped turn the tie on its head.
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The Spanish side were in La Liga action yesterday evening, earning an emphatic 6-0 win over Levante, though attention soon turned to the Champions League final. Asked after the match which formation he is likely to utilise during the upcoming contest with Liverpool, Ancelotti told Diario AS : "4-3-3. Sometimes it could end up as a 4-4-2.
"I don't think there is a defined system, sometimes in order to press the pivot, as we did against City, you go from 4-3-3 to 4-4-1-1. The idea doesn't change much, just the manner of defending the opponent a little."
The former Chelsea and Everton manager also appeared to reveal two of the individuals who will be lining up against the Reds on May 28. Quizzed on whether Federico Valverde and Rodrygo were giving him a selection headache ahead of the game, the Italian said: "Both are going to play the final, it's true."
Madrid have already wrapped up their 35th league title and will be high on confidence as they go in search of a 14th European Cup. Liverpool, meanwhile, are still competing for additional silverware and therefore don't have the luxury of resting key names.
Commenting on his side's current situation, Ancelotti added: "We have this challenge of playing in the final after winning the league, we know that there is a lack of time and that we need to have intensity. The team gave very good signs and we work very well in the field."
