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The 2014 Champions League final was played in Lisbon and it was a unique final, for the first time two clubs from the same city played each other.The powerhouses Real Madrid played city rivals Atletico Madrid, Atletico had just won La Liga while Real Madrid were looking for a 10 Champions League title, a title they had not won since the 2001/02 season thanks to a wonder goal from Zinedine Zidane. Atletico were 2 minutes away from winning the Champions League thanks to a Diego Godin header but Sergio Ramos scored in the 93rd minute to take the game into extra time.Real then turned up a couple of gears and goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo sealed La Decima (The Tenth) for Real Madird.Carlo Ancelotti has finally succeeded in winning the 10th for Real. Atletico can hold their heads up high, it has been a fantastic season for both the Madrids. Here are the 5 talking points from the Champions League final.
#1 La Decima finally arrives
If you asked any Real Madrid fan what is more important, winning La Liga or winning the Champions League? The answer would be the Champions League, heck they would give up 5 La Liga titles for this special Champions League title. The 10th one, Real have been trying to win the Champions League since Zidane’s volley but it never came to fruition. Carlo Ancelotti had succeeded in what is probably the toughest coaching job in the world; he succeeded where Fabio Capello and the chosen one, Jose Mourinho had failed. He has finally given the Madrid fans the trophy they have craved for. 12 years and almost a billion Euros woth of transfer fees later La Decima has finally arrived.
#2 The mini Galacticos shine
Before the game, all eyes were on Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. The two have had a brilliant season, alright, Ronaldo has had an extraordinary season, while Bale has had a very good first season at Madrid. However it wasa bunch of other players who shone for Real on such an important night. Angel Di Maria was unplayable tonight; he cut through Atletico Madrid time and again. It was his brilliant run in the 2nd half of extra time that drew a marvelous save from Courtois which led to the Bale goal. Varane did brilliantly at the back and nullified the Atletico attack really well. Marcelo also was a brilliant substitute for Real in the 2nd half and he capped a great performance by scoring the third goal for Real Madrid.
#3 What next for Atletico?
This was almost the fairy tale ending for Atletico Madrid. They had already won La Liga, something no one expected them to do this season. They were just a couple of minutes away from completing a remarkable double of the League and Champions League but they missed out. Diego Simeone has done an outstanding job for the club; he already led them to a Europa League title and has not won the League title. He certainly is the European manager of the season. Atletico Madrid also have a wealth of talent but it seems that most of them are on their way out. Diego Costa, who limped off after just 8 minutes in the final seems to be off to England. Courtois is not sure where his future lies, he is under contract at Chelsea but is not willing to play second fiddle to Cech. It is only a matter of time before offers come in for their other stars like Koke, Felipe Luis and Arda Turan. Let’s hope they can keep this bright team together for next season.
#4 2nd half changes win it for Carlo
With Xabi Alonso suspended for the final, Carlo decided to play Semi Khedira in the midfield. Khedira had only just returned from a long injury layoff. It should in the first half when he labored all along the pitch and the Atletico midfield were at their best, hurrying the play along and making life tough for the Real Madrid midfield. Carlo changed this around in the 2nd half by bringing on Isco and also replacing Fabio Coentrao with Marcelo. The more agile Isco provided a lot of movement to Real Madrid and with Marcelo provided another attacking outlet that Real so desperately needed.
#5 It\'s Real Madrid time?
With a few seconds of normal time remaining the 4th official raised his board for the injury time to be added on. It showed 5 minutes, a huge groan could be heard from the Atletico fans and the players and staff could not believe it. A couple of minutes later, Real scored with a corner, it was the 93rd minute when Sergio Ramos soared high and headed in the equalizer to take the game into extra time. The Atletico players were left incensed and even their manager Diego Simeone confronted the referee after the first half of extra time. Atletico feel hard done by the officials but they had the chance to kill the game when they had a free kick in injury time but instead of playing out the clock, they took a swing at goal and missed. That cost them big time.
