Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Zinedine Zidane's message was a simple one. "We'll have to run, run and run," the Frenchman said at his pre-match press conference. "We know what it is to suffer."
The term "suffer" is a very Spanish one, used to describe one's existence when under pressure and being put through a grind. Real Madrid know that facing Atletico Madrid involves exactly that. For Atletico, they know that every game of theirs involves exactly that.
But more than anything, these teams know each other.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
On Saturday at San Siro in Milan, Italy, Real Madrid and Atletico meet once more in the final of this season's UEFA Champions League. After the battle in the 2014 finale at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon between these city rivals, to many this is the sequel, Part Two. But it is so much more than that.
Since the 2013 Copa del Rey final, the day the complexion of this derby was turned on its head, these teams have met a scarcely believable 16 times in three years. Saturday makes it 17.
The Madrid derby? "The never-ending derby," said Marca.
Indeed, it's hard to recall two European finalists so familiar with one another, and it's equally difficult to work out to whom that hands the edge.
For Atletico, their suffocating three-year hold over their neighbours domestically will be a source of comfort as they approach this final, and yet, in the Champions League, there's something about Real. They identify with it and it defines them, lighting something within them. Facing Real in La Liga is one thing; facing them in Europe is another entirely.
And Atletico know it.
In Lisbon two years ago, Diego Simeone's men saw Real stage a roaring late comeback to win 4-1 in added time, and last season Real toppled Atleti in Europe despite being sucker-punched by them all season elsewhere.
Does that history play a part? "Things have changed [since the 2014 final]," said Koke at his club's open media day last weekend. "Two years have passed."
Atletico definitely have changed in that time, considerably more so than their opponents. Though the identity of the team remains the same—"you have to pick yourself up, keep inventing yourself, change the players but not change the commitment, the values, the work," said Simeone at his pre-match press conference—now they're better and a little more dynamic. Along with the defensive strength, they have more ways of hurting you.
Here, what also differs from the 2014 final is that they're fully fit, too. In fact, both teams are.
In Lisbon, the first-ever Champions League final between city rivals was riddled with injuries, half-fit stars and suspensions. For Atletico, Arda Turan wasn't there that night and nor was Diego Costa after 10 minutes; for Real, Xabi Alonso was suspended, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were carrying problems.
This time, though, both teams are fresh and have enjoyed two weeks of solid preparation. "This year, we're better physically," added Koke.
It's interesting too, that Atleti expect a slightly different Real.
After all, the men from the Santiago Bernabeu have an almost-historical obligation to dominate, but that's not what Simeone is anticipating. "Casemiro offers them defensive steel," said the Argentinian earlier this week. "I expect they'll play on the counter, as they have been doing up until now in the competition."
Real certainly are equipped to do so. Since the Madrid derby in late February, Real's last defeat, some of their most impressive displays have involved greater patience and more control. Steadily under Zidane, a sense of unity has grown, Real now looking more like a collective. "It's been three months since the last derby and we're better in every sense," asserted Zidane on Friday.
The Frenchman, though, insists there are no favourites despite his side's furious late-season run. "It's 50-50," he said. All week, Atletico's players have repeated the same message.
They're probably right; this final looks incredibly tight.
Date: Saturday, May 28
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. EDT/8:45 p.m. local
Venue: San Siro, Milan
TV Info: BT Sport (UK), Fox Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: BT Sport Online Player (UK), Fox Soccer 2GO (U.S.)
Form Lines
| W: 2-0 vs. Deportivo La Coruna | W: 2-0 vs. Celta Vigo |
| W: 3-2 vs. Valencia | L: 1-2 vs. Levante |
| W: 1-0 vs. Manchester City | L: 1-2 vs. Bayern Munich |
| W: 1-0 vs. Real Sociedad | W: 1-0 vs. Rayo Vallecano |
| D: 0-0 vs. Manchester City | W: 1-0 vs. Bayern Munich |
| W: 3-2 vs. Rayo Vallecano | W: 1-0 vs. Malaga |
Team News
Ahead of such a grand occasion, it will please both sets of fans to know their sides should be at full strength at San Siro on Saturday night.
For Real Madrid, that means Casemiro and Benzema will return to the lineup after missing the second leg of the semi-final clash with Manchester City. The Brazilian will join Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in midfield, while the Frenchman will replace Jese and slot in between Gareth Bale and Ronaldo, who's recovered from a knock suffered in training during the week.
The first-choice back four of Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Dani Carvajal and Marcelo will also continue in front of Keylor Navas.
For Atletico Madrid, manager Simeone has no fitness concerns and will almost certainly go with the XI that started in the semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich.
As such, Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez will once again anchor the best defence in Europe and will be flanked by Juanfran and Filipe Luis. Oblak will stand in goal.
In midfield, meanwhile, the grunt and discipline of Gabi and Augusto Fernandez will be complemented by the vision and technical quality of Koke and Saul Niguez, while Griezmann and Fernando Torres will lead the attack.
Predicted Lineups
In the Spotlight
A certain player? A certain manager?
No, it's a Champions League final.
Everyone is in the spotlight.
Odds (90 minutes, via Odds Shark)
Real Madrid: 8-5
Draw: 21-10
Atletico Madrid: 11-5
