Real Madrid

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale says reaching a fourth Champions League final has "blown any expectations I had out of the water".

Bale, 28, became the world's most expensive player when he joined Real from Tottenham for £85m in 2013.

"This is history," said Bale. "I came to this great club to win titles and it is going to be a special day."

"I feel great, I am ready for the final. Last year we got our second Champions League in a row and now we want more.

"We know this is no mean feat, we are up against a determined side. I think I am on fine form physically.

"I never imagined playing in so many finals. I have played in three and this could be a fourth win, it has blown any expectations I had out of the water."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool

Adam Lallana gives us the lowdown on his Liverpool team-mates in his own order ahead of Saturday's Uefa Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Ibrahim: Nice sunny afternoon in New York City. We are ready for Real Madrid's 13th!

Mike: I'm a Kopite watching the final in a bar in Stockholm. My wife needs to be here over the weekend so I'll be cheering on the Reds whilst my mates are all in Kiev!!

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has lost five of the six major finals he has been involved in, including his two previous European finals.

The first came with Borussia Dortmund, when they lost the 2013 Champions League final to Bayern Munich at Wembley, while the second came when Liverpool were beaten by Sevilla in the 2016 Europa League final.

Were Liverpool to lose, Klopp would become the fourth manager - after Max Allegri (2015 and 2017), Diego Simeone (2014 and 2016) and Hector Cuper (2000 and 2001) - to experience defeat in both of their Champions League finals.

His team, though, have no such negative experiences. Not one player to have played for Liverpool this season has appeared in a Champions League final, a stark contrast to Real's squad, eight of whom are in line to win the trophy for a fourth time.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC Sport football expert and former Liverpool defender

Image source, .

I had never been as nervous before a game as I was before my first European Cup final in 1984. Most of the Liverpool team felt the same way.

As I am sure they are finding, it was not the hour or two before the game that was the problem, it was in the days beforehand.

Preparing for a game like this is the worst time to feel nerves, and the pressure. It is relentless - you cannot escape it anywhere you go.

Even when we were on the plane to go to Rome for the 1984 final, there were fans on board going 'good luck boys, we're going to win' and all that kind of thing.

We were obviously very polite about it but we would kind of look at them and think 'how do you know we are going to win? If you do, I'd like to know how we will do it'.

Read more here

Look how gutted the second guy is!

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

How well do you remember the 'Miracle of Istanbul'?

Trailing AC Milan 3-0 at half-time in the 2004-05 Champions League final, Liverpool recovered to take the game to extra time and then beat the Italian giants on penalties.

But who started for Rafael Benitez's Reds at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium?

You have three minutes to see how many you can name.

Image source, .

"Who decided to stage the Champions League final in Kiev?"

That is what a lot of Liverpool fans have been asking.

Hundreds have been left heartbroken by cancelled flights, leaving them unable to get to the game.

But discover how some Reds are finding creative ways of getting to Kiev here...

Ali: I'll watching it from Cairo...it seems a whole nation is gonna miss special Ramadhan prayers (Taraweeh) because of Mo Salah. It seems the match is between Egypt and Real Madrid.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live

Seventeen Real Madrid players have played in the Champions League final. Liverpool have one who was on the bench and didn't even play a minute.

Real have got the better side, the better players, the better experience.

But Liverpool can win. The first minutes will be crucial.

Image source, AFP

Take a look inside the Olympic Stadium in Kiev where Liverpool will play Real Madrid.

David Ornstein
BBC Sport in Kiev

I was standing outside the main approach to the Olympic Stadium, where fans of both sides were gathering to soak up the atmosphere and grab an early glimpse of the venue for a game that will be watched live by 70,000 spectators inside the ground and many millions more across the world.

Many of those lucky enough to be here were taking photos, capturing moments they hope will live long in the memory. The feeling between the supporters couldn’t be better - across the city I have seen lots of handshakes and rival groups indulging in good-natured sing-offs as they seek to enjoy the occasion and count the minutes until kick-off.

Image source, Reuters

Champions League final day means the domestic season is drawing to a close.

And for Liverpool and Real Madrid supporters, it defines how they will feel this summer.

If you are not one of the lucky ones to make it to Kiev, where are you watching the game? Who are you supporting?

Let me know on Twitter using #bbcfootball, external or text in on 81111 (UK only).

Mark Lawrenson
BBC Sport football expert in Kiev

I don't think it's going to be an open, attractive game because it's a final. I have a feeling Liverpool by hook or by crook will win the game.

Liverpool

Top of Group E

Round of 16: Porto 0-5 Liverpool

Quarter-finals: Liverpool 5-1 Manchester City

Semi-finals: Liverpool 7-6 Roma

Real Madrid

Second in Group H

Round of 16: Real Madrid 5-2 Paris St-Germain

Quarter-finals: Juventus 3-4 Real Madrid

Semi-finals: Bayern Munich 3-4 Real Madrid

Real Madrid

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid, who are already 12-time European Cup winners, are looking to win the title for a third successive season.

The last team to win the competition in three successive seasons was Bayern Munich between 1974 and 1976.

"You can't say Liverpool have more hunger than us - it simply isn't true. Nobody can take our hunger away from us. We will give our all to get more," Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said.

"We're in a third final and we have the chance to do something historic."

What a tasty showpiece we have on our hands tonight.