Dani Carvajal has responded forcefully to Mohamed Salah’s ‘revenge’ comment ahead of the 2021-2022 Champions League final.
After a poor tackle from Sergio Ramos, the Liverpool star limped off injured in the 2018 showpiece against Real, which the Spanish side won 3-1, and has openly expressed his desire to set the record straight when the sides meet again on Saturday.
However, Dani Carvajal told ABC that he hoped the Reds losing another final to them would not be too much of a ‘burden’ for Salah.
“I’m not sure if Salah or Liverpool are looking for retaliation,” he said. “It is true that after losing a Champions League final, you always want a second chance against the same team to beat them.
“Let’s hope losing a second Champions League final to Real Madrid isn’t too much of a burden for Salah.”
The Egyptian’s comments appear to have enraged the Real Madrid players, with Casemiro, Federico Valverde, and now Carvajal speaking out against him.
Meanwhile, Carvajal, a 30-year-old Spain international with 27 caps revealed his thoughts on PSG star Kylian Mbappe’s surprise decision to reject Real Madrid and stay at the Parc des Princes.
“You have to be in his head,” he added. “He is French and originally from Paris. He’s playing for PSG, he’s the best player in his country, and breaking out of that comfort zone must be difficult.
“But, I insist, there are trains that only run once, and Madrid is superior to any other player.”
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League final
The parallel to the 2018/19 Champions League-winning season is that Liverpool is chasing a rampant Manchester City in the Premier League, and it appears that having such an objective always brings out the best in Jürgen Klopp’s team.
It’s difficult to imagine anyone coping with them when they’re on top form and everything works in devastating harmony.
Liverpool European Cup wins: 1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81, 1983/84, 2004/05, 2018/19
Last season: quarter-finals (L 1-3 agg vs Real Madrid)
Last final: 2018/19 (W 2-0 vs Tottenham)
Liverpool’s Champions League Campaign 2021/22
Record: W10 D1 L1 F30 A13
Top scorer: Mohamed Salah (8)
Semi-finals: 5-2 agg vs Villarreal
Quarter-finals: 6-4 agg vs Benfica
Round of 16: 2-1 agg vs Inter
Group B: winners
Nothing is beyond Real Madrid since they turned that epic tie against Manchester City around, having also stunned Paris and survived an onslaught from holders Chelsea.
Karim Benzema is in top form and with Vinicius Junior and the venerable Toni Kroos and Luka Modric pulling the strings, who would dare to rule out the 13-time winners doing what they do best?
Real Madrid European Cup wins:
1955/56, 1956/57, 1957/58, 1958/59, 1959/60, 1965/66, 1997/98, 1999/2000, 2001/02, 20013/14,2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Last season: semi-finals (L 1-3 agg vs Chelsea)
Last final: 2017/18 (W 3-1 vs Liverpool)
Real Madrid’s Champions League Campaign 2021/22
Record: W8 D0 L4 F28 A14
Top scorer: Karim Benzema (15)
Semi-finals: 6-5 agg vs Man. City
Quarter-finals: 5-4 agg vs Chelsea
Round of 16: 3-2 agg vs Paris
Group D: winners
This season, Madrid has reached the European Cup final 17 times, six more than any other team. They’ve won the last seven finals, and their total of 13 championships is unrivaled.
