Gareth Bale reveals Liverpool players battled insomnia ahead of 2018 Champions League final

In a candid revelation, Gareth Bale has shed light on the sleepless struggle faced by Liverpool players prior to their showdown against Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

The year 2018 marked Liverpool’s triumphant return to the Champions League final under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp, following a remarkable European campaign.

Set in Kyiv, the Reds faced off against the reigning champions, Real Madrid, a formidable Spanish giant in the world of football.

Ultimately, Madrid emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline, thanks to Bale’s memorable brace—a spectacular overhead kick and a long-range strike that slipped through the grasp of Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius.

In a recent interview with BT Sport, Bale disclosed the pre-match turmoil experienced by Liverpool’s players, who found it arduous to find solace in sleep on the eve of the momentous clash.

According to reports from the Daily Mail, the Welsh footballer shared, “I recall speaking with Liverpool players before our first encounter in the Champions League final. Sleep evaded them; nerves consumed their thoughts. Our mindset differed. We were solely fixated on victory, especially in a final, despite the fact that they had been performing better than us leading up to the match.”

Adam Lallana, who substituted the injured Mohamed Salah during the final, previously admitted his overwhelming anxiety during the game.

During an episode of Sky Sports’ Super 6 podcast, Lallana reflected, saying, “Looking back now, I felt a sense of fear. Perhaps ‘fear’ is too strong a word, but as I reflect on the past, I believe it is a sentiment I can express. I had just returned from a significant hamstring injury, having played a mere 15 minutes in the last game of the Premier League season. I had no rhythm, no form.”

He continued, “We lost the Champions League final, and I remember feeling relieved that I made it through the game. I couldn’t get close to anyone on the pitch—Modric, or anyone else for that matter. I was merely running around, feeling like a rabbit caught in headlights.”

Despite the disappointment in 2018, Liverpool managed to reach the final again the following year, securing their sixth European title with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.