Vinicius vs Arnold: The battle for space and for supremacy

 

The 2021/22 Champions League final is all it takes to spot the game’s most important head-to-head, the battle for space and for supremacy that will likely define which of Liverpool or Real Madrid lifts the trophy in Paris.

Liverpool’s crucial attacking weapon up against Real’s most important counterattacker. Neither is likely to pin the other, and neither is likely to fully succeed in their defensive mission.

Vinicius Junior versus Trent Alexander-Arnold: the impossibly-quick left winger up against the right-back who can struggle defending one-on-ones. 

Real Madrid sit right back, absorbing pressure for long periods before utilising the experience of their best players to break at just the right moments.

This was most noticeable in the two legs against Paris Saint-Germain, when fear of Kylian Mbappe’s pace saw a particularly extreme example of remaining in a hunched formation that drew PSG forward – limiting the French side’s capacity to play with speed.

Consequently, it is safe to assume Real Madrid will again enact this system against Jurgen Klopp’s lethal front line, especially given that numerous opponents this season.

Vinicius is generally the target of these direct, long balls that are whipped in behind by Luka Modric or Toni Kroos as they pick up possession on the back of opposition midfielders.

Should the ball get to Vinicius, Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to be in the right position to stop him. Instead, it will be left to the right-sided centre-back and the right central midfielder to shift across and cover.

However, Vinicius’ threat is the result of Benzema’s brilliant work in the front line.

This combination is a serious danger to Liverpool, and that’s before we get to the more obvious threat: a direct head-to-head in the dribble.

This is the tactical situation most likely to occur across the first hour of the match, at least if Liverpool are at their best.

Klopp’s side are a lot stronger than Real and ought to win comfortably, pressing onto the Real midfield to stop the ball from getting to Vinicius in dangerous and exposing positions.

Technically and tactically, Liverpool are the superior team. But Real Madrid are potentially smarter in these situations and perhaps fitter, too. 

Klopp needs to make a fast start or risk the game slipping away from him. He needs Alexander-Arnold to take a decisive advantage in his crucial, title-deciding tussle with Vinicius Junior.