The man in charge of Real Madrid also boasts a special record from his playing days against their Champions League final opposition.
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“The best thing that happened to me was to play for Real Madrid. The last two or three years, Atletico have been one of the best teams”.
However, the Frenchman – who won the Champions League for Madrid with a sensational volleyed victor in the 2002 final – insisted he still has a lot to learn as a coach. “He’s had a great year at Sporting and if his team-mates have given him such recognition, I think that’s great”, the 28-year-old said of the 19-year-old.
“We know it will be a hard game but we are in good physical and mental shape”, Zidane told UEFA’s official website.
Beckham refused to wade into the “senseless debate” over who is the better player between Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca’s Messi. “I hope I’ll be happy when it’s over”, Oblak told Marca.
The two sides were separated by just two points in the league this season, and Zidane is well aware of the size of the task facing his players.
Madrid at full steam: “They finished the season well and they’ve had time to prepare for the final”.
However, Simeone also reserved praise for how Zinedine Zidane has revived Real’s fortunes since taking over as coach from the sacked Rafael Benitez in January.
Plus Simeone’s captain and midfield general Gabi reveals what it would mean to the team and their supporters to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
Two years ago, the two finalists met in Lisbon in what was the first final fixture involving clubs from the same city in European Cup history. “They know that we can only win the trophy as a team and with their efforts for each other”. They will play on the counterattack, like they have been doing in every game in the Champions League.
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The Portugal forward, 31, has been strongly linked with an exit from the Madrid soccer club in recent times, and Guillem Balague says a deal could be on.
