Champions League final preview: Can Real stop Atletico once again?
Two of La Liga's big three will battle it out to be crowned champions of Europe on May 28th as Real Madrid prepare to take on cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid in the 2016 Champions League final at the San Siro in Milan.
The match, which will be a repeat of the 2014 final in which Real triumphed 4-1 after extra time to win their tenth title - La Decima, will be the 61st final in the history of the tournament and the 24th since its rebranding from the European Cup. The bookies favour Real Madrid over Atletico Madrid, but anything is possible in a fixture that has usually seen Atletico get the upper hand over Real in recent years.
Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the fourth goal and final goal in the previous final meeting between the two sides, limped out of training on Tuesday following a collision with keeper Kiko Casilla. The 31-year-old is the Champions League's top scorer this year with 16 goals and is all but guaranteed the Golden Shoe for a record fifth time.
The former Manchester United forward has declared himself fit for Saturday's final, however, and is aiming to win the third Champions League of his career. The Portuguese captain revealed on Wednesday that he is looking to remain in the Spanish capital for the forseable future and has urged the Real hierarchy to offer him a new contract, with his current deal to expire in 2018.
"Real Madrid would be making a smart decision if they offered me a new contract," Ronaldo told the Spanish media, "I want to stay here, there have been good moments and bad moments. Four years ago I wasn't happy here, but now I am and I can't think of a better club to be at than Real Madrid, there's no team like it. The other clubs can forget it."
Ronaldo's teammate Raphael Varane has been ruled out of the final with a thigh injury, with the 23-year-old defender also to miss the upcoming European Championships in his native France this summer. Other than the Frenchman, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has a full squad to choose from for the most important game of his and the club's season.
Since the former French midfielder took over at the Bernabeu in January, Real have lost just three times in 26 games. They enjoyed a 12 match winning streak in La Liga from March to May, scoring 39 goals in the process. They also beat Roma, Wolfsburg and Manchester City to book their spot in the Champions League final.
Real, who finished one point behind La Liga winners Barcelona in second place this season, are the most successful side in the history of the Champions League with ten titles. Atletico, on the other hand, are still looking for their first ever victory having finished as runners-up both in 2014 and in 1974.
Diego Simeone's side made it to the final in Milan by beating holders Barcelona in the quarter-finals and Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich in the semis - with their recent record against Real Madrid also very impressive. Atletico may be perennial underdogs but since losing to their bitter rivals in the 2014 final, they have only lost once in their last 10 encounters with Los Blancos - winning five and drawing four.
Simeone's squad has a clean bill of health and will be looking to cap off another excellent season with the biggest prize of all. In the Spanish top flight, they finished just three points behind Barcelona in third with keeper Jan Oblak letting in just 18 goals all season, a joint record. Striker Antoine Griezmann has been a revelation up top, scoring 32 goals in all competitions including two goals against Barca in the quarters and the crucial away goal against Bayern that sent his side into the final.
Both Atletico and Real seem to be in the best of shapes, with the upcoming final sure to be just as dramatic as their last encounter two years ago.