Atletico Madrid were one minute away from lifting ‘Big Ears’ in 2014.
Two years later and they stand on the pinnacle of history once again, and for the second time in three seasons, Europe’s premier cup competition has given us an all-Madrid final.
Cristiano and co. stand in the way, just as they did on that fateful night in Lisbon when Sergio Ramos’ last-minute header sent the game into extra time. Diego Simeone’s men were physically and emotionally spent after that and Los Blancos would go on to secure La Decima, their 10th European crown.
One year later and a solitary second leg 88th-minute goal would separate the two sides in the Champions League quarter-finals as Atleti would come up just short once again.
That is the story that has surrounded these two sides in recent years. Atletico, so dogged in defence, who can be just as blistering in attack, have had Real’s number in the league, but it is a whole different story in Europe.
In their last nine fixtures, including the Copa Del Rey but excluding Europe, Real Madrid have not managed to beat Los Colchoneros, and have suffered defeat on five occasions. But Europe’s self-proclaimed biggest club have the wood on their opponents in recent Champions League fixtures and have stood up when the bright lights have shone their brightest.
It seems that the only thing standing in Atleti’s way is themselves. By no means can Real Madrid call themselves the dominant club over the past few seasons, but they have the silverware that could argue otherwise.
If Diego Simeone’s men can get out on the pitch in Milan and play their game, to their game plan, and not let the situation overawe them, then they will no longer be in the shadow of their biggest rivals.
Cholo’s side has shown its grit and determination this season as it fought for the title until the final week. In conjunction with Real, Atleti pushed Barcelona to their limits but they will need every bit of that fighting spirit to overcome Zinadine Zidane’s side.
The pedigree is there though; they only need to cast their minds back three months to see a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu. As perfect as an away performance could get, and one that is likely to be tried again in Milan, Atleti’s rigid 4-4-2 stifled Real’s more fashionable 4-3-3.
The combative midfield four of Gabi, Koke, Saul and Augusto Fernandez sucked the life out of Real, while the outstanding Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez meant that very little filtered through to La Liga’s standout goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The heart that Atleti can take from that win may very well carry them to ‘Ol’ Big Ears’ himself, as if they produce a performance like that then we could very well be seeing Gabi hoisting the cup.
There are things that we know for sure and that is that Simeone builds his team on the spine of watertight defence. If anything, this final will not feature a load of goals.
Atleti’s path into the final has seen them overcome PSV on penalties, after two 0-0 draws, Barcelona 3-2, and sneaking past Bayern Munich on away goals after the tie was locked at 2-2.
Even to get to the knockout phase they only conceded three goals in the group stage and they finished the La Liga season with the league’s best defence, conceding only 18 goals.
While Real did score 110 goals over the season, they only managed to breach Atleti’s defence once, in the 1-1 draw at the Vicente Calderon.
Simeone’s side will go into the match as underdogs, as the bigger experience and the higher prestige in the Real side makes them favourites, but they will not think of themselves as such.
Knowing what they can do, the passion that they fight with, the unbreakable spirit that surges from their manager and through the spine of the team, in their own minds, they are not underdogs.
Conquer the occasion and Atletico Madrid will not only conquer Real, but they will have their redemption, and with it, the European Cup.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
