Champions League final preview, Hazard's 'farewell' and the best of the week in soccer

Excited yet?

The 2019 UEFA Champions League final is just around the corner.

The latest edition of the Best of the Week gets you hyped up for the Liverpool-Tottenham clash, celebrates Chelsea's European conquest, talks Eden Hazard's announcement and much more.

1. It's time

JAVIER SORIANO / AFP/Getty Images

Wanda Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid on May 29, 2019 ahead of the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur on June 1.

Wanda Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid on May 29, 2019 ahead of the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur on June 1. (JAVIER SORIANO / AFP/Getty Images)

Three weeks after their last official match, Liverpool and Tottenham will finally settle the European score.

The all-English Champions League final is upon us as Reds and Spurs get ready to clash at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid to officially end the European club season.

Saturday's final presents a stark contrast in terms of experience at the highest level of European soccer. Liverpool enter the game as last season's runners-up and five-time champions. On the other side is Tottenham, first-time finalists.

The final also featured the strong possibility of missing two of its most important players in Roberto Firmino and Harry Kane. Since the end of their respective domestic schedules, both sides look poised to feature their star center forwards.

Saturday promises to be an intense, tight affair between two very familiar sides. After the drama-filled road to get to Madrid, some more fireworks would only be appropriate to end a wild Champions League edition.

2. The last stand

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Eden Hazard celebrates with the Europa League Trophy following his team's victory final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadion on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Eden Hazard celebrates with the Europa League Trophy following his team's victory final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadion on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Michael Regan / Getty Images)

It wasn't quite Cristiano Ronaldo after last year's Champions League final but Eden Hazard's announcement sure stole the show Wednesday night.

The Belgian all-but revealed the end of his Chelsea career after helping his side win the Europa League trophy in Baku (more on that later), setting the soccer world abuzz and injecting fans of a certain Spanish club with some much-needed hope.

Hazard leaves Chelsea after seven memorable seasons in which he grew from an exciting prospect coming from Lille to a world-class star capable of carrying a world-class club to success, specifically six major titles.

Of course, Chelsea now have a gigantic hole that won't be filled even without the transfer ban. For Hazard, his transition will be nothing like the one he underwent in 2012. He now has sky-high expectations following him. Stay tuned.

3. Finish on top

OZAN KOSE / AFP/Getty Images

Chelsea's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League final between Chelsea and Arsenal at the Baku Olympic Stadium on May 29, 2019.

Chelsea's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League final between Chelsea and Arsenal at the Baku Olympic Stadium on May 29, 2019. (OZAN KOSE / AFP/Getty Images)

Before we get to Saturday, a Premier League side continues to celebrate its own piece of European silverware.

After a roller-coaster season, Chelsea capped off an encouraging end to their campaign by conquering the Europa League trophy against crosstown rivals Arsenal at a very empty-looking Olympic Stadium in Baku.

It took the Blues a second-half offensive explosion, led of course by former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, to steamroll the Gunners to the tune of 4-1. On the other hand, Unai Emery's title bid disintegrated just like their season did: with a spectacular collapse.

And to think that Chelsea came very close to tearing it all down midseason…

4. Psych!

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Sergio Ramos's future at Real Madrid came into question once again this week.

Sergio Ramos's future at Real Madrid came into question once again this week. (Alex Pantling / Getty Images)

Another summer, another Sergio Ramos transfer show.

The Real Madrid captain was the subject of another summer transfer show amid reports of a possible exit from the Spanish club, reports that he acknowledge and then quashed in a press conference Thursday.

This time, Ramos received an offer from a Chinese club which he rejected. But the words that stood out in the press conference was "reconciliation."

Ramos used the word in reference to club president Florentino Perez, with whom he met ahead of Thursday's presser as part of an on-and-off relationship. After so many near misses, is Ramos's Real Madrid career bound for a Cristiano Ronaldo-like end?

5. Goal of the week

Arsenal can take solace in the fact that Alex Iwobi made sure to go down with a bang.

The Nigerian winger gave the Gunners life in the Europa League final with this Benjamin Pavard-like rocket in the 69th minute. Arsenal's second wind wouldn't last long but at least they have this gem to remember from a Wednesday's bitter final.