Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid will be an all-Spanish UEFA Champions League Final in Milan at the end of this month, and we can expect fireworks.
Once again the two La Liga representatives will face off in a UCL final, a rematch of the 2014 final in which Real Madrid finally won La Decima — their 10th UCL title — making them the winningest club ever in the European tournament. On Tuesday, Atlético earned a ticket to Milan — despite losing to Bayern Munich — on away goals advantage.
On paper Real Madrid is the strongest team, because after all, they have Cristiano Ronaldo and company. Unquestionably one of the strongest lineups in all of football, Los Blancos will be hard to defeat on May 28.
However, Atlético Madrid has proven time and time again that it is not to be underestimated, and who doesn’t love an underdog? Atlético is the most modest team of the bunch in the competitive La Liga, where, along with Barcelona and Real, it’s in the middle of a fierce fight for the league title.
Real Madrid will play Atlético in the #UCLfinal in Milan on Saturday 28 May.
We can’t wait… pic.twitter.com/kNMRF0y2WO
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 4, 2016
When fans watch Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid, they will see if manager Diego Simeone can finally win the elusive UCL title for the fans. In its previous two UCL final appearances, Los Rojiblancos lost to Bayern Munich (1974) and neighbors, Real (2014). Now, they are facing a familiar foe and bitter cross-town rival.
Not only did Atlético Madrid defeated Bayern on their own turf in Munich, but earlier in the UCL they also shocked the world when they sent Barcelona packing too. Since then, Alteti has been on fire, not only in this tournament, but hanging tight at the top of the standings in La Liga.
Simeone is hoping third time’s the charm in Milan. His men will come in fresh from the epic second leg, which saw, goalie Jan Oblak save a penalty by Thomas Muller, who, according to BBC , has missed his past two penalties in the UCL.
Oblak has been simply spectacular saving 30 of the last 31 shots on target in all competitions, and Atlético has come this far in part thanks to the goalie. He will be a key player for Simeone’s side.
30 – Jan Oblak has saved 30 of the last 31 shots on target he has faced in all comps. Monster. pic.twitter.com/CWiUFhXt9N
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) May 3, 2016
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak was the real hero for Atletico Madrid against Bayern Munich. #AllTouches https://t.co/BC2nDg8o0g
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 4, 2016
Meanwhile, Real Madrid only needed one goal from Gareth Bale to put Manchester City away and advance to the UCL final. When fans watch Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid in a few weeks, they will see whether Zinadine Zidane’s men can figure out how to breach Simeone’s defense, arguably one of the best in Europe.
Real Madrid has the chance to win a record 11 UCL titles, more than any other club in history, and all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo , who returned to face Manchester City for the all-important semifinal. The Portuguese striker had some praise for his manager.
“Zidane is doing a great job. He’s helping us and we are helping him. I admire him as a coach and a person, I hope he continues coaching us. We’ve always been behind Zidane because he is a humble person who likes to listen, and that always makes things easier.”
Make sure you watch Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid on May 28 from Milan. Information about the UCL Final live stream will be announced as the date approaches.
[Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images]