Champions League Final 2016: Date, Venue, Predictions for Real Madrid V Atletico
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will meet in the 2016 UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, May 28, at the historic San Siro Stadium in Milan—as manager Diego Simeone's men look to win the trophy after coming runners-up two years ago against their city foes.
Gareth Bale had an important say for Los Blancos as they beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday, with the Welshman's cross deflecting off Fernando and looping over goalkeeper Joe Hart for the win.
The Rojiblancos progressed on Tuesday 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.
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Here is the breakdown of the details for the final, per the Champions League's official Twitter account:
Preview and Prediction
The upcoming Champions League final offers fans the classic clash of styles as Atletico take on Real in Italy.
Atletico have had a tremendous season, whether they end their season with silverware or not. The club are still challenging in La Liga—a solitary point behind leaders 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.
Diego Simeone's team 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.
Atleti have created the perfect balance between defence and attack, neither relying on the firepower of Antoine Griezmann too much, while keeping a cacophony of clean sheets at home and abroad.
However, Griezmann's addition has seen Simeone's unit become a devastating counterattacking machine, concentrating on guile rather than raw pace.
The France international has hit 28 goals in La Liga and Europe this term, according to WhoScored.com, and his presence ensures Simeone has a world-class finisher in his team.
Real made hard work of City over two legs and needed an own goal to buy them a shot at an 11th European Cup triumph.
Recently installed boss Zinedine Zidane now has the chance to become a winner of the famous trophy as a player and manager, as highlighted by the Champions League's official Twitter account:
Despite Atleti's unerring drive and willpower, Real suffer with an obsession for the Champions League, and even though they have played second fiddle to Simeone's side for most of the campaign, they are a different beast in a one-game affair.
The failure of Real's superstars after La Decima will not have been forgotten by the squad, as ex-boss Carlo Ancelotti paid the ultimate price by surrendering his job, but Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo now have a chance to atone for past results with a European trophy as the tonic to refocus the club under their latest manager tasked to carry on consistent success.
If Simeone bolts the stable door in Milan and looks to counterpunch Real, his side have a real chance of causing an upset.
However, an Atleti win will not be against the form book as a revitalised Fernando Torres partners Griezmann in an effective attack.
Real are the team with this competition firmly in their DNA, but their luck has to run out one day soon. Los Blancos have defensive questions hanging over their heads, and Atletico are well positioned to exploit their shortcomings as the team that knows the Galacticos best.
Final Prediction: Real 0-1 Atletico
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