The much awaited 2015/2016 Uefa Champions League final between 10 times champions Real Madrid and hard fighting Atletico Madrid comes alive this Saturday, May 28th, at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, popularly known as San Siro, Milan in Italy.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone’s men will be aiming to win the trophy after coming runners-up two years ago against their city foes, while Real will be looking to make it 11th Champions League trophies after defeating Atletico in 2014 to claim the La Decima.
Both sides are known to be city’s fierce rivals and Saturday’s Champions League final will the second time in three seasons and a decider as they ensure Spanish dominance of the competition continues with a third successive win for the country. Atletico were seconds away from claiming the title in 2014, but a Sergio Ramos equaliser for Real in the third minute of injury time end Deigo Simeone’s dream of winning the trophy, Real latter ran away with the game in extra-time to win 4-1.
Revenge would be sweet for Atletico manager Diego Simeone, who never won the Champions League during an illustrious playing career that included over 100 caps for Argentina and 15 years in Europe’s top leagues.
In Lisbon, Atletico were seconds from victory only for Sergio Ramos’s header to change everything with the scoreboard showing 1-0 and 92.48. Diego Godin had scored Atletico’s opener that night, agonisingly close to being eternal, but asked if this was about revenge, Koke insisted: “No. We don’t see this as revenge; we see it as a new opportunity.”
“What happened, happened,” Koke said. It is inevitable that Lisbon is on their minds, but there appears to be a collective effort to look beyond that now. No revenge, no fatalism. Privately, it is a different matter: this has been their obsession since then. But, asked how the scar of Lisbon was, whether it had healed, Simeone replied simply: “Very good.” Koke added: “Two years have passed; some things have changed, some stay the same. It’s different now.”
Gareth Bale had an important display for Los Blancos as they beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Bernabeu Stadium, with the Welshman’s cross deflecting off Fernando and looping over goalkeeper Joe Hart for the win.
The Rojiblancos progressed in Germany after eliminating Bayern Munich on away goals, losing 2-1 on the night—but advancing after a 2-2 aggregate result in their favour.
Atletico have had a tremendous season and it be unfair to Simeone’s tutored side to end the season without silverware. The club lost the chase for the La Liga to Barcelona—but it’s against their neighbours which now represents their best chance of glory in a one-off match to crown the kings of European football.
Simeone’s men went to Bayern and produced a rear-guard action that the German side couldn’t defeat over two legs, and manager Pep Guardiola was left with bad memories as he departs the Bundesliga champions for the Premier League.
Atletico have created the perfect balance between defence and attack, neither relying on the firepower of Antoine Griezmann too much, while keeping a record of clean sheets at home and abroad.
However, Griezmann’s fire power in goal has seen Simeone’s unit become a devastating counter attacking machine, concentrating on craft rather than raw pace.
The France international has hit 28 goals in La Liga and Europe this term, and his presence in attack guarantees Simeone has a world-class finisher in his team.
Real made hard work of Manchester City over two legs and needed an own goal to buy them a shot at an 11th European Cup triumph.
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is prepared for a tough Champions League final against Atletico Madrid as he eyes a chance to become a winner of the famous trophy as a player and manager.
The Frenchman says the clash with Atletico is 50-50, although Madrid is “in good physical and mental shape.”
Anthony Nlebem
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