7,000 security forces are prepared for an onslaught of fans from both camps. Up to 60,000 sympathizers of the traditional English club – most of them without tickets, for which 5,000 euros and more are required on the black market – are likely to arrive, and tens of thousands are also announced from Spain.
An alcohol ban was imposed at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, 14 aircraft from Liverpool, 61 from London and 91 from Madrid dominated the airspace over the metropolis with 2.2 million inhabitants on match day, where more than 90 percent of the hotel rooms were booked . If you don’t have one yet, you have to dig deep into your pocket for a magical night. You can’t get anything under 245 euros, the three-star hotel “ibis Paris Gare de Lyon Ledru Rollin” actually believes that it can find a buyer for 10,004 euros for a small 15 square meter room (breakfast not yet included). There are no limits to audacity.
The buzzword is “cash in”, the tourism industry is longing for record income as a result of the meager corona months. This long weekend is predestined for it – holiday, football and, to top it off, the French Open with Rafael Nadal, for whom 13 is also a lucky number: He has won the tennis classic in Roland Garros just as often as his favorite club Real Madrid has won the “premier class”. Mission 14 is running.
Like the hotel industry, the Champions League finalists can look forward to a warm shower of money. 20 million euros await the winner and 15.5 million for the loser. But first and foremost, it’s about fame and glory.
“It’s a huge match – in my home country at that. We’re ready for this very last step,” emphasized French team striker and Real captain Karim Benzema (34). As in the knockouts with Paris SG, Chelsea and Manchester City, he can make the difference. 44 goals in 45 competitive games for the “White Ballet” have put the veteran in pole position for the nomination for world footballer of the year. But Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (31 goals) also believes he deserves the title.
The 29-year-old is craving revenge for the 3-1 loss in the 2018 final, in which ex-Real defender Sergio Ramos rustically took him out of the game in the 30th minute. What’s happening today?
A good omen?
On Sunday, Liverpool missed the English Premier League title in a long-distance duel with Manchester City, but the “Reds” are still going into their tenth Champions League final with their heads held high. The traditional club won six finals.
“It was a great season either way. If we win the trophy, it will be fantastic,” said successful coach Jürgen Klopp, who has already won the English League Cup and the FA Cup with his team this year.
Liverpool FC landed in Paris with a run of 18 competitive games without defeat. Here the highly decorated club from Merseyside already triumphed in 1981 in the premier class, which was then known as the European Cup of National Champions. Left-back Alan Kennedy scored the “golden goal” (82nd minute) in the Prinzenparkstadion to make it 1-0 against Real Madrid. A good omen?
Alaba’s third prank?
In 2013 and 2020, David Alaba triumphed in the FC Bayern jersey in the Champions League. Today the 29-year-old from Vienna, who started team training on Monday after a break of several weeks due to adductor problems, is aiming for the third strike with Real Madrid. It would be the 30th title in the impressive career of the ÖFB team player.
“You work very hard every day for moments like this final. The emotional state is positive,” emphasized Alaba, who has special memories of the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. On October 14, 2009, he made his national team debut at the tender age of 17 years and 112 days. “A huge dream came true for me, hopefully I can make the next one come true,” said Alaba.
The stadium
The final was originally awarded to St. Petersburg, but was moved to Saint-Denis near Paris in February. The Stade de France opened in 1998 and is the largest stadium in France with 81,338 seats. The 1998 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship were played in the home arena of the French national team. It is the stage for the Champions League final for the third time after 2000 (Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia) and 2006 (FC Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal).
The trophy
The original version of the trophy was designed by Swiss artist Jürg Stadelmann and first presented in 1968. Since then, the cup has been revised four times. Until 2008, clubs were allowed to keep the trophy if they won the competition three times in a row or five times in total. Since then, the original has had to be returned, and the winners receive a replica. The original is 73.5 centimeters high and weighs 7.5 kilograms.
Source: Nachrichten
