“Chelsea and Liverpool are the clearest, most exaggerated example of the way soccer is going: very intense, very collective, very tactical, very physical, and very direct. But, a short pass? Noooo. A feint? Noooo. A change of pace? Noooo. A one-two? A nutmeg? A backheel? Don’t be ridiculous. None of that. The extreme control and seriousness with which both teams played the semifinal neutralized any creative license, any moments of exquisite skill.”
— Jorge Valdano, Argentine 1986 World Cup winner as a player and former Real Madrid coach and sporting director, wasn’t impressed with how Liverpool advanced to the Champions League final. (The Guardian)