Silverware awaits either Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp after rollercoaster Champions League campaigns – who will emerge victorious?
Both Tottenham and Liverpool were on the brink of exiting the Champions League at the group stages and beyond, but a combination of team spirit and clear philosophies imposed by their respective managers sees two English sides set to face off in the Champions League final.
Neither Jurgen Klopp or Mauricio Pochettino have won a trophy with an English club, but now have the opportunity to win the greatest prize in European football.
Having already suffered three losses in Group C, Liverpool went into their final group game against Napoli knowing they had to win with a clean sheet or by two clear goals to make the last-16.
Tottenham failed to win any of their opening three Champions League group stage games this season – they’ve become just the second side to do so and go on to reach the final after Inter Milan in 2010, who went on to win the trophy.
Spurs went into their last game in Group B with their Champions League fate out of their hands. Spurs went to the Nou Camp knowing they had to match or better Inter’s result against PSV to qualify on the final matchday and did so by securing a 1-1 draw.
Although Liverpool stormed past Bayern at the Allianz Arena and Tottenham played out an epic against Manchester City along the way, both experienced two of the most remarkable comebacks in Champions League history at the semi-final stages.
On May 8, Liverpool somehow overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit to beat Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield. Just one sleep later and Tottenham came from 3-0 down on aggregate against Ajax in the space of 45 minutes to reach their first ever Champions League final.
Now we are set for what is sure to be another famous night with an all-English final at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
AFP
