Los Blancos go into Saturday’s final in Milan against their city rivals in danger of finishing the season without any silverware.
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But Zidane added Cristiano Ronaldo was fully fit after he was forced to leave a training session early on Tuesday. Real Madrid has ended Atletico’s run in the Champions League each of the last two years, and should do it again in a close game for championship No. 11.
Flashback: Real Madrid celebrate their tenth European Cup title.
The game promises to be a clash between contrasting styles from the same city – a point emphasised by Marca’s front cover, which features Real and Atletico banners hanging outside of the same block in the Spanish capital with the headline: ‘My place or yours?’
There will be much talk of the differences between the opponents before they clash in Milan, particularly with Diego Simeone’s fondness for playing up his side’s poor underdog status when they meet, but the fact is that for all their differences, they now play a pretty similar style of football.
Since taking over as Atletico’s coach five years ago, Simeone has rebuilt the team within the financial limitations of a club budget that is dwarfed by that of Real and other larger European clubs, one that often forces Atletico to sell star players at the end of each season. Real have scored more goals from free-kicks, with 13 in comparison to Atleti’s six.
It has to be noted that Simeone won the UEFA Cup with Inter back in 1997-98 season and has openly expressed his desire of managing them in the future. “Atletico will be alert as a result of what happened two years ago”. While Costa managed to start the final after tearing a hamstring in the season ending Liga game against Barcelona, he hobbled off after only nine minutes. “When you play a final like that one, they’ll have a bad taste in their mouth when they recall that game, but you need to keep competing”.
If Ronaldo is unable to play, according to Accuscore’s simulations Real is still favorite to win after it’s all settled – but with remarkably lower probability of 52.5%.
Yet he’s yet to win a trophy with his boyhood team; during his absence, it has captured the Copa del Rey, league crown, and two Europa League titles.
2014 CL FINAL: REAL 4-1ATLETICO (AET) Atletico were denied their first ever Champions League in agonising circumstances as Sergio Ramos rose highest to power home an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time after Diego Godin had given Atletico a first-half lead.
Real Madrid is a +145 favorite to win in regulation, with a draw and Atletico Madrid both at +215.
Steve Bruce might be tactical shrewd but the chances of two teams relegated last season bouncing back up immediately are very slim.
Real Madrid heads to the final as favorites, but there might be some dark clouds looming over the horizon: reports tell that Real’s leading goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo took a knock last week and limped off the ground.
Whatever the outcome, the crosstown confrontation underlines the dominance of Spanish teams in European play in recent years.
“It’s a really balanced match”.
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