Zinedine Zidane has a full-strength squad at his disposal as Real Madrid get set to face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.

The European season will come to an end on Saturday when Real Madrid and Liverpool lock horns at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev on Saturday. As Los Blancos look to complete a historic three-peat, Zinedine Zidane has his entire squad at his disposal, and should field his strongest possible lineup.

Between the sticks, Keylor Navas looks set to return to the starting lineup after being rested for Real Madrid’s final league game of the season against Villarreal last week. The Costa Rican international will be aiming to continue his strong form and produce a similar outing as in the semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich earlier this month.

The back-four should comprise of the familiar faces, especially with Dani Carvajal now fit and available after missing three weeks of action due to a hamstring injury. Raphael Varane should line up at the heart of the Real Madrid defence.

Zidane confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Sergio Ramos and Marcelo will start on Saturday, with the duo completing the numbers in the back-four. The Real Madrid boss also added that he expects his entire squad to rally behind the team, with some players missing out on the matchday squad.

“Ramos and Marcelo are definitely going to play. I’m the one who gets lumbered with making the decisions. All of my players are very good and many of them will not make the squad, whilst others will be on the bench. We think only as a team and when the whistle blows, everyone will be right behind the team.”

Meanwhile, the match should see Zidane return to his trusted midfield diamond, with Casemiro and Isco at either tip. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, the creative forces of the side who will be pulling the strings in the middle, will complete the midfield quartet.

Upfront, Cristiano Ronaldo is a certain starter, with Zidane confirming that the all-time leading goalscorer in Champions League history has shrugged off his ankle injury and is rearing to go on Saturday.

“I see Cristiano Ronaldo as being in good shape. We have our final training session tonight and tomorrow is our last game of the season. He lives and breathes for these kinds of games.”

Zidane’s real problem surrounds the decision on Ronaldo’s partner. Karim Benzema made his case with a brace against Bayern in the semi-final second leg, but with Gareth Bale on his best ever scoring run, the Real Madrid boss could give the Welshman the nod for his first start in the knockout stages this season.

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