Milan is the place to be on Saturday night when two fierce city rivals, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid go head to head against each other in European football’s showpiece event, the Champions League final, at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in what is a repeat of the 2014 Final. 

From a local derby to a high-powered managerial duel, a clash of styles to a revenge-packed rematch. The Champions League final offers a bit of everything. Glam and glitzy Real Madrid are aiming an unprecedented 11th European crown to extend their impressive record in the competition, while their neighbours Atletico Madrid are gunning for their very first. Real have scored 110 league goals this season; Atletico have gathered only 63. But Real have conceded 34, while their opponents have allowed just 18. One team boasts the Galacticos who sometimes struggle to work as a cohesive unit on the pitch; the other team relies on lesser-known players who sacrifice their personal glory for the good of the team. Whichever way you look at it, this climax of the European domestic season contains plenty of intriguing storylines.

For Real Madrid, this match represents a chance for the new manager and club legend Zinedine Zidane to win a trophy just five months into his tenure. Since taking over from Rafa Benitez in January, the Frenchman has taken Real to the brink of La Liga title, where they finished just one point behind eventual champions Barcelona on the final day, and are now just one game away from Europe’s most coveted crown. On the other hand, for Atletico Madrid, it has been another season punching above their weight, both domestically and in Europe. Diego Simeone’s team have proven tougher than ever to beat, finishing just three points off the top place in the league. They knocked out holders Barcelona and favourites Bayern Munich on their way to Milan, and have got the better of Real in five of their last six league encounters.

DATE , TIME AND COVERAGE

Saturday 28 May, 20:45 CET (12:15 IST) kick-off. Live on BT Sport Europe/HD (Ten 2 and Ten 1 HD). Live streaming on YouTube. Live match commentary on BBC Football.

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Real Madrid fans will be anxiously awaiting the lineups given Cristiano Ronaldo’s (thigh) injury scare in training earlier this week. The former Manchester United star limped off the training pitch on Tuesday but the 31-year-old eased concerns later that afternoon by saying: “It was a minor scare, a knock, but in a couple of days I will be fine.” Ronaldo is likely to start but defender Raphael Varane (hamstring) is definitely out and will also miss the Euros with France. Casemiro is likely to start in midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, behind a front three of Gareth Bale, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Squad: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla, Ruben Yanez | Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Arbeloa, Danilo | Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Isco, Martin Odegaard | Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez, Jese.

Atletico Madrid

As for Atletico Madrid, Simeone’s trusted centre-back Diego Godin, who scored the team’s only goal against Real in the 2014 Final, has had a thigh problem to deal with of late, but will be fit for the showdown. Atleti have no serious injury concerns in contrast to two years ago, meaning that Simeone will start his strongest XI, which is likely to consist of Fernando Torres in his second Champions League final, alongside Frenchman Antoine Griezmann up front, and a midfield four of Saul Niguez, Augusto Fernandez, Gabi and Koke.

Squad: Miguel Angel Moya, Jan Oblak, Bernabe Barragan | Diego Godin, Filipe Luis, Stefan Savic, Jesus Gamez, Lucas Hernandez, Juanfran, Jose Maria Gimenez | Tiago, Koke, Matias Kranevitter, Oliver Torres, Augusto Fernandez, Gabi, Saul Niguez, Thomas Partey | Antonie Griezmann, Fernando Torrres, Angel Correa, Yannick Carrasco, Luciano Vietto.

ROAD TO MILAN

Real Madrid

Unbeaten in their last ten games in all competitions, Real Madrid head to Milan in confident mood. Los Blancos are a revived outfit under coach Zidane – who is hoping to become just the seventh person to win the trophy as player and coach – having overcome AS Roma, Wolfsburg and Manchester City in the knockout stages following their unbeaten group stage run to book their place in a 14th Champions League Final.

15-Sep – Group A – Real Madrid 4-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (Benzema, Ronaldo(x3))
30-Sep – Group A – Malmo 0-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo(x2))
21-Oct – Group A – Paris Saint-Germain 0-0 Real Madrid
03-Nov – Group A – Real Madrid 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain (Nacho)
25-Nov – Group A – Shakhtar Donetsk 3-4 Real Madrid (Ronaldo(x2), Carvajal, Modric)
08-Dec – Group A – Real Madrid 8-0 Malmo (Benzema(x3), Ronaldo(x4), Kovacic)

17-Feb – R16, 1st Leg – Roma 0-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, Jese)
08-Mar – R16, 2nd Leg – Real Madrid 2-0 Roma (Ronaldo, Rodriguez)
06-Apr – QFs, 1st Leg – Wolfsburg 2-0 Real Madrid
12-Apr – QFs, 2nd Leg – Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg (Ronaldo(x3))
26-Apr – SFs, 1st Leg – Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid
04-May – SFs, 2nd Leg – Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester City (Fernando(og)

Atletico Madrid

Atleti were 1-0 up in stoppage time in the Final two seasons ago, but ended up losing 4-1, and will be desperate to edge their bitter city rivals to their first-ever trophy. Unbeaten in the group stages, Atletico went to penalties against PSV in the Last 16 as they narrowly navigated their way through the Last 16, before flexing their muscles in overcoming continental heavyweights Barcelona and Bayern Munich (on away goals).

15-Sep – Group C – Galatasaray 0-2 Atletico Madrid (Griezmann(x2)
30-Sep – Group C – Atletico Madrid 1-2 Benfica (Correa)
21-Oct – Group C – Atletico Madrid 4-0 Astana (Saul, Martinez, Oliver, Dedechko(og))
03-Nov – Group C – Astana 0-0 Atletico Madrid
25-Nov – Group C – Atletico Madrid 2-0 Galatasaray (Griezmann(x2)
08-Dec – Group C – Benfica 1-2 Atletico Madrid (Saul, Vietto)

24-Feb – R16, 1st Leg – PSV Eindhoven 0-0 Atletico Madrid
15-Mar – R16, 2nd Leg – Atletico Madrid 0-0 (8-7p) PSV Eindhoven
05-Apr – QFs, 1st Leg – Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Torres)
13-Apr – QFs, 2nd Leg – Atletico Madrid 2-0 Barcelona (Griezmann(x2)
27-Apr – SFs, 1st Leg – Atletico Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich (Saul)
03-May – SFs, 2nd Leg – Bayern Munich 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Griezmann)

HEAD TO HEAD

Played – 212
Real Madrid Wins – 107
Draw – 51
Atletico Madrid Wins – 54

HEAD TO HEAD FIXTURES

27-Feb-16 – La Liga – Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid
04-Oct-15 – La Liga – Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid
22-Apr-15 – Champions League – Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid
14-Apr-15 – Champions League – Atletico Madrid 0-0 Real Madrid
07-Feb-15 – La Liga – Atletico Madrid 4-0 Real Madrid
13-Sep-14 – La Liga – Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid

FORM GUIDE

Real Madrid – WWWWD

14-May – La Liga – Deportivo La Coruna 0-2 Real Madrid
08-May – La Liga – Real Madrid 3-2 Valencia
04-May – Champions League – Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester City
30-Apr – La Liga – Real Sociedad 0-1 Real Madrid
26-Apr – Champions League – Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid – WLLWW

14-May – La Liga – Atletico Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo
08-May – La Liga – Levante 2-1 Atletico Madrid
03-May – Champions League – Bayern Munich 2-1 Atletico Madrid
30-Apr – La Liga – Atletico Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
27-Apr – Champions League – Atletico Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Ronaldo has arguably been the most impressive performer in this year’s Champions League. He has scored a whopping 16 goals in this year’s competition – seven more than second-place Robert Lewandowski – and has made series of crucial contributions in the knockout stages. He scored twice against AS Roma, and bagged a hat-trick against Wolfsburg to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. He needs just one more goal to equal his own record (17 goals) in the competition and who would bet against him from adding to his tally tonight?

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Griezmann will most definitely be the player Real will be paying particular attention to in the final. The attacker has already demonstrated his class in La Liga last term when he finished third highest scorer – behind only Lionel Messi and Ronaldo – and has continued with his fine form this year. As well as scoring 22 goals in the Spanish top flight, the Frenchman has bedevilled some of the continent’s biggest sides, and was influential, scoring crucial goals against Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as they both were dumped out.

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

Despite suffering from injuries and fitness concerns this term, the world’s most expensive player has proven his class when he has been in action, finding the back of the net on a consistent basis. The Welshman has scored 19 in 23 league appearances, and while he is – surprisingly – yet to find the net in the Champions League, he was the key as Real downed Manchester City in the semi-finals. Tonight might be the perfect time for Bale to break his European duck for the season and add to his blooming legacy.

Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

It would have been totally reasonable had Atletico Madrid been concerned when they lost Thibaut Courtois back to Chelsea. However, the emergence of Slovenian stopper Oblak has prompted Atleti to forget their departed Belgian. The keeper has been imperious this season conceding just 25 goals in all competitions and keeping 32 clean sheets. However, his penalty save from Bayern’s Thomas Muller was arguably the highlight of his season and he will need to be at his best again today.

KEY BATTLES

Sergio Ramos v Antoine Griezmann

Ramos broke Atletico hearts two years ago as it was his stoppage-time header that sent the game into extra time, with Los Rojiblancos just seconds away from victory. Real’s captain has endured a poor season by his standards but has returned to form in a 10-game unbeaten run since early April and will face Griezmann who has been terrorising defenders in La Liga and also in Europe. Although Fernando Torres leads the line, the elusive Griezmann is Atleti’s true hitman. The flying Frenchman has grabbed 33 goals in all competitions this season and Real will have to be wary of the deadly threat he poses. Stopping the slipper attacker will be a collective effort but Ramos has to lead the charge. It will be a great battle.

Luka Modric v Koke

Modric has been the key to Real’s recent good form and there is no reason why the Croatian can’t pull the strings against Atletico Madrid just like he did against Manchester City in the semi-final. But he will have to get the better of his counterpart Koke and this could be the main battle that could decide who comes out on top in Milan. The Spaniard has been in top form recently and loves creating goalscoring opportunities for his colleagues, and if he can unleash Griezmann then Atleti could run riot. But these both players are capable of turning the game on its head and are certain to have a say in the final result.

Cristiano Ronaldo v Atletico Madrid defence

If Ronaldo decides to turn it on, there is nothing that can stop him. But that is the job that Atletico defence are being tasked with. As a collective unit, they can be capable of pulling off the job and silencing the Real forward, but they will have to be fully focused for 90 minutes. Ronaldo, on the other hand, can change the game in a split second. His performance in the second leg of the quarter-final clash against Wolfsburg has gone down as one of the greatest in Champions League history and there is no reason why the Portuguese superstar can’t put in another performance like that at the biggest stage of all.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos; Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema.

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Juanfran, Jose Gimenez, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis; Saul Niguez, Gabi, Augusto Fernandez, Koke; Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres.

MATCH FACTS AND STATS

• Real Madrid have reached the Champions League/European Cup final for the 14th time, more than any other team.
• They have won 10 of those – also a record, including the last four (1998, 2000, 2002, 2014).
• Atletico Madrid have reached the Champions League/European Cup final for the third time (1974, 2014, 2016). They have so far lost their previous two finals.
• There will be a Spanish winner of the Champions League/European Cup for the third consecutive season, the longest run for a single nation since English clubs won it six times in a row from 1977 to 1982.
• Atletico have won seven of their last 16 games against Real Madrid, in all competitions
• The last four competitive games between Real and Atletico have produced only four goals
• Real Madrid have kept 10 clean sheets (in 12 games) in the Champions League this season, which equals the record in the competition (Arsenal in 2005/06).
• Atletico have registered under 30 per cent possession in each of their last four Champions League games
• Ronaldo has scored/assisted 74 per cent of Real Madrid’s goals in this season’s competition (20 out of 27). He’s only one goal away from the Champions League record for most goals in a Champions League campaign, a record he currently holds (17 in 2013/14).

REFEREE

Name – Mark Clattenburg
Based – England
Age – 41
Games – 46
Yellow Cards – 162
Red Cards – 7

MATCH ODDS

Real Madrid 8/5 Draw 21/10, Atletico Madrid 2/1

PREDICTION

We know that goals have been few and far between in recent games between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and another high-octane, tense affair could be on the cards tonight. Simeone’s side have already beaten their neighbours in the league this season and will be looking to do the same at the biggest stage of all. Real Madrid should be much stronger than their last meeting in February with defensive midfielder Casemiro coming in the side to add the much-needed balance to the lineup. However, Atletico have been far more impressive on their route through to the final, beating the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, while Real have underwhelmed in getting past Wolfsburg and Manchester City. And with the tactical nous, defensive steel, ferocious intensity and clinical counter-attacking ability, Atleti could very well lift their first ever European Cup. At the same time, it feels like destiny – if you believe in it. This is their year!

Predicted score – Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid

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