History favours the all-white club as the 2014 final where Madrid came from a goal down to win 4 – 1 after extra-time.
Despite this and the bigger finances boasted by Real, Atletico Madrid can look to the final with optimism and hope to win;
1. An unfit Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo limped out of Real Madrid’s training on Monday in what looked like a serious knock after clashing with goalkeeper Kiko Casillas.
Ronaldo limped off training after medics attended to him
Despite coming out later to refute claims that would miss the final, Ronaldo will be nursing a knock and everyone knows what it means when you do not have a fit Ronaldo.
2. Atletico look like a better team compared to 2014: Two years ago, Atletico headed into the final with a clearly unfit Diego Costa who bizzarly underwent horse placenta treatment to treat a muscle tear.
After Felipe Luis limped off injured, Toby Alderweirld went to fill in at left-back and David Villa was giving his best as a 33 year old washed up star.
This year, Atletico have younger, injury free and versatile players. Antoinne Griezamann has been a revelation under Diego Simeone, Koke, Saul Niguez, Jose Gimenez have all upped their game and are still under 24.
Griezmann celebrates his goal against Bayern Munich in the semi-final
Atletico defeated the two favorites for the title to get here;Barcelona (who are the current holders) and a more dangerous Bayern Munich.
3. Raphael Varane is out: One player who will miss the final is Varane who has been plagued by injuries this season. Though he is bbehind Pepe and Sergio Ramos under Zinadane Zidane, Varane is an able deputy.
Varane will miss the final and EURO 2016
Missing an influential youngster like that will be a huge blow especially if one of Ramos or Pepe gets injured or red carded in the final.
4. Real Madrid are more predictable than Atletico: Every match Real Madrid play, you can predict the line up; Keylor Navas, Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema.
Correct?
Diego Simeone meanwhile has shaken up things for his side in terms of formation and line-up. Though their primary formation is a 4-4-2, Simeone sometimes changes things on the pitch and his players could line-up in a 4- 1-3-2, 4-1-4-1 which makes them very unpredictable.
Real Madrid’s line-up is rather predictable
The only part of Atletico’s line up you can predict is the back five who can be argued are the best in Europe; Jan Oblak, Juanfran, Jose Gimenez, Diego Godin and Felipe Luis.
From there on its difficultto know who starts in what formation and what shape they will play. The only thing you know is Koke, Antionne Griezmann, Gabi will start.
Others competing for a starting place include; Tiago Mendez, Matías Kranevitter, Fernando Torres, Lucas Vietto, Angel Correa, Yannick Carrasco, Thomas Partey, Oliver Torres.
Try predicting from that…
5. Diego Simeone is a specialist in Real Madrid’s failure: Los Cholo’s managerial record against Real Madrid is quite impressive.
In the last six league games played against Madrid, he has won three and drawn three including winning a clash in February 2015 during Carlo Ancelotti’s reign 4 – 0 at the Vicente Calderon.
Diego Simeone
In the 2013 Copa Del Rey final, Atletico faced their rivals with the side winning 2 – 1 in a match that confirmed the red and whites were there to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Simeone also won the 2014 Spanish Supercopa winning 2 – 1 on aggregates will not forget the 2015 Copa Del Rey in which Fernando Torres scored twice on his return to the club to dump Real Madrid out of the competition.
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