“A lot of the time experience is very important and in this aspect we’ve got a small advantage”, Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo said.
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Ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final, the Real Madrid player has admitted that his son Cristiano Jr changed him as a person at his birth and gives him joy.
While Real Madrid is a perennial champion rich in tradition, Atletico is looking to establish itself as a top contender even though it doesn’t carry the same financial clout as Europe’s top teams.
Ronaldo refused to rise to the bait of Gerard Pique, who appeared to mock one of the Real Madrid star’s goal celebrations as Barca celebrated their title win. “We know that in a final the most important thing is to prepare well and anything can happen”.
For a boyhood Atletico fan like Torres, the prize of the club finally winning the Champions League and leaving Real in Atletico’s shadow for once is doubly rewarding.
James Sharman, Sportsnet : En route to La Decima two years ago, Real Madrid had to weather the storm, so to speak, as Atletico reached into its bag of dark arts to forcibly shove los blancos off its game.
Defender Diego Godin netted Atletico’s goal in the first half and central defender Sergio Ramos equalized in second-half injury time to send the game into extra time, when Real Madrid won 4-1.
This matchup will be far different from that one as Atletico was a surprising squad, winning La Liga that season to the surprise of all pundits.
However, a hard season ended with a barrage of insults from his own fans as Real bowed out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage to Juventus a year ago.
No question, Atletico has the momentum, and they’re playing with great confidence.
“The past is not worth considering now”, Atletico captain Gabi Fernandez said. Every time he can say something new that makes you better and I think I’m really lucky to play with him so long and also [Jose] Mourinho for one year, it makes me a better player and it makes me so proud to be where I am right now.
Ancelotti’s way of shuffling Di Maria into a more two-way player made Real Madrid’s midfield a headache to deal with all season.
“And it hurts me seeing United like that because it’s a club I carry in my heart”.
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In the dying moments of Diego Simeone’s second Madrid derby as Atletico Madrid coach, a banner was lowered behind the goal his side was defending to display a stinging message: “Wanted: A dignified rival for a decent derby”.
