The Champions League final to be played between Madrid based rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be a repeat of the 2014 final which resulted in Real Madrid emerging triumphant by a 4-1 score line after the game went to extra time.
Atletico will be looking for redemption this time around after losing in a heartbreaking manner in their previous finals. The Los Rojiblancos had led through Diego Godin’s first half-goal until Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute equaliser which took the game to extra time. Exhausted from their 90 minute long exertions, Atletico imploded conceding three goals and losing the tie.
The three goals in extra time were scored by Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo, key players for Real Madrid who made the difference when it mattered. Angel di Maria also played a starring role with his tireless runs which led to Gareth Bale heading the ball into the net. Marcelo and Ronaldo finished the scoring to secure Real Madrid’s La Decima.
Fixtures of the magnitude of a Champions League final are more often than not decided by the brilliance exhibited by the individual talent in teams. From Zidane’s extraordinary volley in the 2003 finals against Bayer Leverkusen to Robben’s virtuoso display for Bayern Munich against Borussia Dortmund, individuals taking their game to the next level.
We list the key players whose performances will decide the Champions League final in Milan on Sunday
1) Diego Godin
The intimidating Uruguayan has been a stalwart for Atletico Madrid this season, leading a defence that has only conceded 0.45 goals per game this season. The 30-year-old centre-back embodies Atletico Madrid’s qualities of hard work and sacrifice, not being afraid to put his body on the line for the cause of the team.
Godin is seen going hard into challenges, diving in to block shots and does not give up until the final whistle. Godin had scored Atleti’s solitary goal in their previous Champions League final appearance which they lost to Madrid. Manager Simeone will need his captain to be at his vocal, figurative best if Atletico are to avenge their 2014 defeat to Real Madrid.
2) Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrid’s star player with a penchant for big occasions. The Portuguese forward has evolved into a phenomenal goalscoring machine since his days as a tricky, showboating winger at Manchester United. Ronaldo has scored more than a goal per game for Real Madrid since joining the club in 2009 for a world record transfer fee.
This season has been no different, with Ronaldo being key in Real Madrid’s progress to the finals. While he did not score in either leg of the semi-finals as he was unfit, Ronaldo was key in Real Madrid overturning a three-goal deficit against Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals as he scored a hat trick.
Ronaldo’s goals are vital to Real Madrid’s success. If a fully fit and firing Ronaldo turns up on Sunday, there are few things which can stop Madrid from lifting the Champions League at the San Siro.
3) Saul Niguez
Saul made his debut for Atletico at the age of 17 and has gone on to cement his place in the starting lineup since. The Spanish midfielder is a versatile player who is accomplished in central, attacking and defensive midfield roles.
Saul’s creativity and tireless approach to the game will be crucial for Atletico’s tactics of defending and breaking at speed. The 21-year-old is a capable attacking midfielder and scored the goal that put Atletico ahead in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich after going past four defenders. He will be looking to unsettle the Madrid defenders with his trickery and releasing the pacy Antoine Griezmann on counter attacks.
4) Gareth Bale
The Welshman holds the record for being the most expensive player in footballing history. He was bought by Real Madrid from London based club Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £100 million, eclipsing the former fee of £80 million for Ronaldo from Manchester United.
Bale has been a subject of much criticism in Madrid for apparently not justifying his transfer fee. There have also been numerous rumours of fallouts with Cristiano Ronaldo but Bale has knuckled down and concentrated on his game. This season, the Welsh winger has proved his worth by turning out decisive performances for Real Madrid in the injury-enforced absences of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
While the 26-year-old has been excellent in La Liga, his Champions League record is not as impressive although it was his shot which deflected off Fernandinho against Manchester City that decided the tie and put Real Madrid through to the finals. Real Madrid will surely emerge winners if Real Madrid’s duo of Bale and Ronaldo fire in tandem.
5) Antoine Griezmann
France will be banking on Antoine Griezmann to score the goals for them at the Euros after his brilliant season with Atletico Madrid. Griezmann has settled well into Diego Simeone’s system at Atletico and is a dangerous threat on the counter attack
The winger turned striker has increased his goal output and has scored 32 goals for Atletico Madrid this season. He scored against both, Bayern Munich and Barcelona as Atletico Madrid progressed to the finals of the Champions League. Atletico will be looking to Griezmann to make the difference on the day of the finals and lead them to glory.
