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Team News
Karim Benzema, Diego Lopez and Alvaro Morata are doubts for Real Madrid. Jese is injured while Xabi Alonso is suspended. Diego Costa is a doubt for Atletico Madrid.
Key Facts
Atletico Madrid is yet to taste defeat in the UEFA Champions League this season. If they win the trophy, they will add to a list of six clubs in history to have won the competition undefeated, the last side being Manchester United in 2008.
Real Madrid are the highest scorers in this competition in the Champions League era; they have notched no less than 37 goals in Europe this season. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 16, beating out Lionel Messi’s previous record of 14 in a single season.
Real Madrid have not tasted defeat against Atletico Madrid on 29 out of the previous 30 occasions the teams have played. The sole defeat of course came this season in the league when Atletico returned from the Bernabeu, 0-1 winners.
In their past four league games, Real Madrid recorded one victory; this sole win came against Espanyol on the final day of the campaign, a match in which both sides had nothing to play for.
Diego Costa has struck eight goals in eight Champions League appearances this season. His absence could decide the match in Real’s favor.
Live Listings
Watch Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid live on Saturday, May 24, 2014:
In Canada at 14:45 ET on Sportsnet World, Sportsnet West, TVA Sports, Sportsnet World Online, Univision Canada, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific
In the UK at 19:45 BST on Sky Go Extra, Sky Sports 1/HD, Sky Go, UTV, Sky Sports Events Centre, ITV 1, STV Scotland, ITV Player, BBC Radio 5 Live, Sky Sports 1 Ireland
In the USA at 14:45 ET on Fox Soccer 2Go, SiriusXM FC, Fox Sports GO, FOX Network, Fox Deportes
For the complete TV listings and live scores upon kick-off, visit the Real-Atletico match page.
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Match Background
For Real Madrid, this match provides the chance for them to end their miserable run of years without a Champions League trophy and hence, their obsession with La Decima. Jose Mourinho set the groundwork for this by leading the team into the semis three times in the past three seasons. This time, unlike in 2012, they were able to overcome Bayern and come through.
Real does not need extra motivation to win; however if they did, they would need to look no further than their opponents. Atletico Madrid, their city neighbors, operates on a much smaller budget than them and has yet managed to pip them to the league title this season. If Atletico take the Champions League trophy with them today, the blow for Real and their fans will be much more massive had a different opponent been standing in their way in the final today.
Atletico is the second underdog to reach the final in as many years. Last year, Borussia Dortmund conquered all before them only to fall at the final hurdle to Bayern. Between 2008 and 2013, the team to beat Barcelona has gone on to win the trophy. Atletico this time vanquished Barca in the quarters.
Can Atletico win this match?
How Real Madrid reached the Final
Real Madrid’s route to the final was smooth aside from a terrible second leg against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals. Dortmund missed various chances to take the game to extra time and eventually went out 3-2 on aggregate. Aside from that, Madrid handily put away Schalke and Bayern. Considering Real’s troubles against German sides in the past, it is indeed incredible to see that they have put out three of four German sides participating in the competition this season.
How Atletico Madrid reached the Final
Atletico Madrid put out Milan easily in the Round of 16 before meeting Barca in the quarter finals and putting them out, 1-2, following two tightly contested games. They beat Chelsea in Stamford Bridge to book their spot in the finals. Considering Mourinho’s defensive ways, scoring three against Chelsea is definitely an admirable feat.
Prediction
Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid
