Real Madrid are through to their third successive Champions League final after beating Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate in their semi-final.
The reigning European champions will face either Roma or Liverpool in Kiev later this month and will be seeking to create history by winning the competition for a third year in a row.
Liverpool are the overwhelming favourites to progress thanks to their 5-2 first-leg victory at Anfield and would have to halt Zinedine Zidane’s men if they are to add to their five European Cups.
But French football writer Philippe Auclair, speaking on Tuesday night’s Off The Ball, believes either side will fancy their chances against Spain’s capital club.
“There was nothing particularly new in what we saw in terms of the defensive imbalance of Real Madrid,” Auclair said.
“They don’t look the most organised team. They are capable of sometimes putting together five, six, seven pass moves that are quite remarkable and easy on the eye.
“They have some magnificent individuals but you still get the feeling that this team is lacking organisation and that it is possible to get at them – and then you see the results year after year.
“This Real Madrid team is not as good as previous seasons. But it is a bizarre one. For as much as we enjoyed tonight’s game, you cannot help but think whoever meets them in the final will have a real chance.
“And there are a lot of weaknesses that they can pick at. Let’s not forget this Bayern team was shorn of some very important players.
“But you have to start to ask yourself: what is Zinedine Zidane doing so right with an excellent group of individuals that sometimes look disjointed, but always find the solution?
“They always find the answer to the questions and the very tough questions which are being asked of them by the opposition.
“What he is achieving is actually quite remarkable. Especially taking into account the fact Real Madrid have been far from convincing in their own league.
“And it’s a matter of some surprise, I must admit, because we were not expecting Zidane to have such an impact as a manager.”
Written by James Hopper
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