Date: Saturday, 24 May Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon Kick-Off: 19:45 Can Real Madrid win their tenth European crown when they take on Atletico Madrid in this season's Champions League final, or will Diego Simeone's men pick up their first ever crown?
Team News
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has returned to training ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against derby rivals Real Madrid. Costa was a major doubt after suffering a torn hamstring on the final day of the La Liga season last weekend, but has undergone treatment in Belgrade using horse placenta. Arda Turan has also returned to training and will join Costa in flying to Lisbon with the rest of the squad. Real Madrid pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are both fit for the final, despite Ronaldo missing his side's last two games and Bale sitting out training on Tuesday. However defender Pepe and striker Karim Benzema are both doubts for Carlo Ancelotti's side. (BBC)
Key Stats
Real Madrid can achieve 'La Decima' this season - that is, their tenth European crown. However, Carlo Ancelotti's side have not won the Champions League since 2002, when they beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1. This is the first ever Champions League final featuring two sides from the same city, and will be the second season running that two clubs from the same country have reached the final, with Borussia Dortmund facing Bayern Munich last year. Atletico Madrid have never won the Champions League, but did finish runners up in 1973-74, losing to Bayern Munich.
Likely Line-Ups
Atletico Madrid Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis, Fernandez, Tiago, Sosa, Garcia, Koke, Costa Real Madrid Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Khedira, Modric, Di Maria, Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema
Match Preview
After winning the Spanish league title for the first time since 1996 last weekend, Atletico Madrid will attempt to make another piece of history on Saturday by winning their first ever European Cup. Atleti did reach the final in 1974, but were thrashed 4-0 by Bayern Munich and that's the closest the Spaniards have got since. The less-famous Madrid side have instead had to watch their city rivals Real enjoy all the success on the European stage, winning nine cups, including five in a row between 1956 and 1960. And Los Blancos will be looking to make a special piece of history of their own, with a success in Lisbon seeing them crowned champions of Europe for a record tenth time. Which of these Madrid sides will write a new chapter in their history books this weekend? The world will be watching.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
