It appears the mind games are well under way as Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has explained why Real Madrid might have an advantage over Liverpool heading into the Champions League final.
Liverpool will take on Real in Paris on Saturday night as they look to claim a seventh European Cup - their last coming back in 2019 after they beat Tottenham Hotspur at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
One year earlier the Reds faced Real Madrid in the 2018 final in Kyiv. Real ran out 3-1 winners that night as two goalkeeping blunders from Loris Kairus gifted goals to Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, who also scored an incredible overhead kick.
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Courtois did not play in that game, as he was at Chelsea at the time, but will now indeed play in his first Champions League final for Real Madrid, after being beaten by them in the 2014 final while on loan at Atletico Madrid.
And going into Saturday's final against Liverpool, the 30-year-old has stated that Real Madrid being given more time off - an extra two days - will give them the advantage on Saturday night.
Courtois told the club's official website: "It’s my first final with Real Madrid and I’m incredibly excited. It’s a special feeling, I hope we can win it. Liverpool are a great side, they’re very intense, play aggressively with their pressing and have players with real pace. But anything is possible in a final.
“We’re coming into the game in great physical shape and they had to give it everything until the last minute. Perhaps that might give us a slight advantage but we have to show intensity and prove we’re ready to fight to the end."
Liverpool's marathon season continued on Sunday when they beat Wolves 3-1 at Anfield in their final Premier League match. However, the title went to Manchester City after they won 3-2 at home to Aston Villa.
While Real Madrid played just two days earlier, drawing 0-0 at home to Real Betis on Friday, they were crowned La Liga champions back on April 30.
