Will Atletico or Real win 2014 Champions League final?

The soccer world will watch an all-Madrid affair in Lisbon when Atletico Madrid do battle with Real Madrid in the 2014 UEFA Champions League final on May 24.

As its name suggests, Real Madrid is soccer royalty, arguably Europe’s biggest, richest and most successful club. Yet, Real hasn’t won the Champions League since 2002, and anyone connected with the club will readily admit that winning “10th La Decima” (or a record 10th European Cup) is an obsession. Having beaten defending champion Bayern Munich in the semi-final, Real Madrid looks like they may just get the job done in the final come May 24.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid is the ultimate underdog story, as head coach Diego Simeone has taken the club out of Real Madrid’s shadow and launched an assault on domestic and European supremacy this season. Having reached its first European Cup final since 1974, Atletico would love nothing more than to keep the hands of its bitter rival off the prestigious trophy for one more season.

Atletico’s story, however, is the most amazing of all. Languishing in 10th place when Simeone took over from Gregorio Manzano in 2011-12, the Rojiblancos went on to win the Europa League that season and with virtually the same squad (even after selling their best player Radamel Falcao last summer), they now sit at the head of Europe’s top table.

Atletico Madrid impressively dispatched Chelsea in the other semi-final. It looks to complete the fairy tale next month. These teams have met four times in 2013-14. Visiting Atletico Madrid won 1-0 on September 28 in La Liga. Real Madrid won 3-0 and 2-0 in the two-game Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) semi-final on February 5 and 11. Real then held host Atletico to a 2-2 draw in La Liga on March 2.

Their history in the Champions League, however, is quite different. Atletico haven’t reached a final since 1974; while Real haven’t made a final since 2002, though they have won nine European titles.

Both remain in the hunt for a La Liga title on top of potential Champions League glory, with Atletico top on the table with 88 points and Real still in the running with 82 points, with a game in hand.

Simeone’s success has been in the ability to work with a tight budget and make this group gel. After the Europa League, the club claimed the Uefa Super Cup in 2012 and then the Copa del Rey last season by beating Madrid for the first time since 1999.

Now, the Rojiblancos are two wins from claiming La Liga and also on the verge of winning Europe’s premier club competition. If Simeone claims both domestic and continental trophies, it will surely be the greatest impact made by any coach in modern football.

Midfielder Tiago believes the manager, Diego Simeone, has been the catalyst for the club’s success.

“Simeone has a lot to do with it. He has changed our mentality. We all work together, we work as a team. Playing like we play we are the strongest team in the world and we deserve what we have in this moment. We don’t have anything, it’s true, but we’re close to having something,” Tiago told PA Sport.

The side has been led by Diego Costa (36 goals in all competitions), Koke (seven goals, 15 assists in all competitions) and sturdy midfielder Gabi (7.6 average match rating in La Liga play, via WhoScored). Seven players have started 45 matches or more this season for Atletico, a reminder of just how durable they’ve been on this run of amazing form this season.

Meanwhile, Simeone has had to fight to retain many of his players due to debts and been forced to work with a small squad punching above their weight.

“I let it all out after the third goal [against Chelsea],” Simeone said following his Mourinho-esque touchline celebration. “We are fighting against rivals with greater financial power. Madrid are a powerful club and they are used to being in these situations, but we have been waiting many years to reach the final.”

In many ways, then, little has changed. Atletico, a club always associated with the working class, up against the rich rival from across town, long linked with the establishment, wealth and power.

But Real come into this match in absolutely scintillating form, led by an unstoppable offensive onslaught headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo (52 goals, 13 assists in all competitions), Karim Benzema (26 goals, 13 assists), Gareth Bale (20 goals, 16 assists) and Angel di Maria (12 goals, 20 assists).

Real have already won the Copa del Rey this season after beating Barcelona in the final earlier this month and Los Blancos are still in with an outside chance of winning La Liga. Their success, however, has come after huge investment in the playing squad (Ronaldo and Bale are the two most expensive players in the history of football) and a bumper contract for Ancelotti to lead this new project, with winning the club a Champions League for the first time since 2002 his prime objective.

“Obviously I’m very happy,” Ancelotti said. “We have to enjoy these positive moments. It’s a great satisfaction to lead Madrid to the Champions League final for the first time in 12 years.”

“There can’t be a favourite in a game like the final, especially against a side who are doing very well. It’s going to be a very uncertain and even game.”

For the first time in the history of the European Cup and the Champions League, the final will be disputed by two teams from the same town as Real Madrid meet Atletico in the competition’s showpiece in Lisbon on May 24. All eyes in Spain and a derby with a difference.

Atletico is the financially weakest team to reach a Champions League final since Porto in 2004.

Atletico has yet to lose in the Champions League this season. Can they keep up that spotless mark against their bitter rivals, though?

Two teams, two philosophies, one city and only one winner. All eyes will soon be on Madrid and the game’s greatest derby in history.

We’ll find out come May 24.

 

Anthony Nlebem