Real Madrid and Club de Atletico Madrid have progressed to the final of the prestigious UEFA Champions League which will be played on the 28th of May in the iconic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy. It's El Dèrbi Madrileno in the UEFA Champions League Final again.
Rivalries are once of the most exciting components of any sport, and this particular rivalry about to open another chapter will be eagerly anticipated around the globe. This final will for the second time, see two teams face each other from the same city. Last time out was in Lisbon (2014) when Spaniard Sergio Ramos' deft header with almost two minutes left, saved his side's blushes and helped finish off Atletico in extra-time. That game ended 4-1.
Club Atletico De Madrid have real reason to be confident as they have won four and drawn one of the last six meetings with their more-illustrious opponents, Real Madrid CF. Slovak goalie Jan Oblak has the highest shutouts in Europe's top 5 leagues (23). The Colchoneros have only conceded twice in all the knockout games in this season's UEFA Champions League. Superbly stunning that is. Former Atletico midfielder Diego Simeone will be reeling for another clean sheet, and definitely more fulfilling: the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy. With his side falling at the penultimate hurdle of the Liga BBVA to already-relegated Madrid neighbors Levante, he will do all he can to become kings of Europe. He has a fully-fit squad and will be lighting up at the prospects of having Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres up front as those two have been so key in Atletico's trophy quests this season, as is Spanish playmaker Koke Resurecciòn who has racked up an impressive number of goals and assists this season. Spanish stalwart Saùl Niguez misses this one after he got sent off in the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich. Club President Enrique Cerezo will be hoping as other Atletico fans, that his side inflict revenge for the heartbreak of 2014 in Milan. Against their city neighbors, Atleti at times see it as their right to claim victory. Atletico have won thrice in succession in the Bernabèu against Real Madrid, and have lost only once in the last ten meetings. For a side who are considered to be inferior to their more illustrious city neighbors in Real Madrid, this is truly magnificent.
Zinedine Zidane and his side have got their wish, they are 90 minutes or so away from satisfying the incessant craving for La Undecima. After conceding only twice throughout the competition and scoring a truly impressive 19 times in those games leading up to the final, they will be praying for a repeat of history however it comes. Last time these clubs met in a European final was in 2014, when Welshman Gareth paid virtually every penny of the 100 million pounds dished out for him by Florentino Perez with the big moment in the second-half of extra time to put his side ahead in that chapter of this never-ending rivalry. Marcelo Vieira and sharpshooter Cristiano Ronaldo added to that goal to clinch La Decima for Real Madrid. Will history repeat itself, or will stats go out the window? We'll know when on the 28th of this month. Real though, have real reason to panic, as they've won just one of the past six outings with their city rivals. Most times against Atletico, they look almost powerless, more like their wings were clipped really. If they are to win, they must match the physicality of this Atletico side whilst being clinical on the break and taking chances when they come. Club manager Zizou can boast a fully-fit squad as recently injured CR7, Benzema, Bale, and Casemiro are all fit to play. Also, there is no suspension for any player. After missing out by the odd point on La Liga thanks to a certain Uruguayan magician, it's looks like it's La Undecima or bust for Zizou.
Like a top box office movie, this particular encounter promises to be enthralling as exciting with every minute passing by. Present manager Zinedine Zidane looks to join the select few who have won the UEFA Champions as a player and a manager. Diego Simeone who hasn't won it as a player (even at Atletico Madrid) will be looking to have a 'first-time' feeling of success in Europe's elite competition. Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo apparently needs a win on Saturday to push his Ballon D'Or claim even further into the ascendancy. He could also be the first man to score in three European Cup finals. Also, Brit Gareth Bale aims to stake his claim as a 'specialist in finals'. His big goal last time out in a final quenched the 12-year wait for La Decima. Karim Benzema desires to add to his best-scoring tally in a season with a victory in Italy. Fernando Torres and Antoine Griezmann look to wrap up a truly impressive campaign. Both these players at times have lifted the Colchoneros over the finish line on their own.
It's your typical Italian Job stakeout, there aren't Charlize Theron or Edward Norton out here; but there are some of the best in the business that will be on show for their respective sides come Saturday the 28th of May. Mark it out in your calendar, folks, as it promises to be a true spectacle. La Undecima and La Primera on the cards here, who will get their names engraved on the trophy?
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