Real Madrid - Atletico Madrid (Final Preview)

After last seasons' all German Final, we have an all Spanish Final tonight. For the first time in Champions League history we will see a clash of two teams from the same city in the Final.Both Madrid teams have had a great campaign, Atletico, however, will be under less pressure as they already have La Liga in the bag. There are some injury concerns on both sides, Pepe will most likely miss out, Xabi Alonso is suspended for Real, Arda Turan is out for Atleti, who are also sweating over the fitness of main striker Diego Costa.
We can expect a cautious start by both teams, who will most likely focus on counter-attacks. It will be interesting to see whether Real can cope with their "Decima" pressure, which proved to be too much for them in the last couple of seasons. Atletico have a once in a lifetime chance to win a remarkable double and prove to the world that football is a team game, and not only about having as many stars in their teams as possible. Diego Simeone has built a team with fantastic spirit and this final has a fairy-tail story ending written all over it. The question is only who the hero will be - Atletico's team or Iker Casillas & Cristiano Ronaldo lifting the trophy?

Expected Lineups:

Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Coentrao; Illaramendi/Khedira, Modric, Di Maria; Bale, Benzema/Isco, Ronaldo

Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Felipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Tiago, Raul Garcia; Villa, Adrian/Costa

Our Prediction: Expect a tight match, but if Ronaldo and Bale are in top form, Real Madrid will prove to be too strong. Result: 2:1 for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid (photo: rmadrid37.wordpress.com)