It is the
match we have all been waiting for since Real demolished Bayern and city
rivals, Atletico Madrid, devoured Chelsea to set up an all-Spanish final-the
first since Real got the better of Hector Cuper’s Valencia fourteen years ago.
This is perhaps more high profile because it is a City derby and one of the feistiest
in football today. Not only that, Real, for the first time in twelve years, are
in a European final and the goal is ‘LA DECIMA’. A tenth European crown in
prospect.
Los
Colchoneros come into this game in party mood. The most unlikely champions in
European club football this term, won La Liga at the home of last season’s
winners, Barcelona and they did it yet again without Arda Turan and Diego Costa.
El Cholo Simeone is aiming for a complete set of trophies since he took over
three years ago and who will bet against the Argentine genius?
On the other
hand, Carlo Ancelotti is aiming to put a dismal League campaign (that collapsed
in the last couple of games) behind him and secure the long awaited tenth
European crown for the ‘whites’ which will put him among the club’s all time
greats. He is also chasing a personal triumph. Win on Saturday and he joins the
one and only BOB PAISLEY as the only men to have won three European
cups/Champions League titles. The task is enormous but he has been here before.
Atletico may
have to do without talisman Diego Costa who is still doing everything possible
to be fit for this one. He deserves to be waited upon as it is largely because
of his excellent form that Atleti can dream of a domestic-European double.
After scoring 27 League goals to help bring back the Liga trophy to the
Calderon for the first time in almost two decades, he has shifted attention to
the title match in Lisbon where he will face familiar foes, Real Madrid. It is
worth noting that the Brazilian born, Spanish star was the catalyst behind his
team’s slim victory at the Bernabeu last year. Simeone’s men know how to defend
and one goal again might be enough on the day. Arda Turan is almost certainly
ruled out of the all-important game but if the famous Serb, Marijana Kovacevic,
can put personal tragedy (the Balkan floods) behind her temporarily, Costa can
be relied on when proceedings get underway.
Real have injury
worries of their own. The duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have been
declared fit for this one but whispers around say they are not 100% ready. Pepe
and Karim Benzema will be given every chance to fight for their place in the
starting line up as they are still nursing injuries. Xabi Alonso will feel what
the likes of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Pavel Nedved have felt in the past.
The Spanish deep lying playmaker is suspended for the biggest game of his Real
Madrid career but will be all smiles if Los Blancos can win it. Iker Casillas
will hope to celebrate his birthday, albeit belatedly, in grand style. The Club
Legend will be between the sticks and memories of the Glasgow final in 2002 will
definitely come crawling back to mind. If he is the man to hold aloft the elusive
tenth title, it would represent the proudest moment of his career to date, even
though he has lifted the World Cup and a couple of Euro titles.
The match is
billed to take place at the Estadio da Luz also affectionately called the stadium
of light. It is the home of Benfica, who yet again, failed to break the ‘Guttman
curse’ for the ninth time and counting. CR7 and his Portuguese team mates will
hope that Lisbon plays to Real’s advantage and the fans urge them on. It will
be a fitting tribute to the great Eusebio if Ronaldo, Pepe and Coentrao win the
‘tenth European cup’ at the place where he became a god. Although, he would very
much have loved Benfica to break the ‘ROMANIAN CURSE’ last Wednesday in Turin.
The script
has been written perfectly. CR7 and his friends want to make history in Lisbon
but Atletico are party spoilers and will aim to get that trophy no matter what
it takes. Bjorn Kuipers has been handed the responsibility yet again to
adjudicate. The Dutch referee was at the centre when Brazil decimated Spain to
win the Confeds last year and also took charge when Benfica fell short in
Europe at the eighth time of asking. Turkish official and one of the most
loathed men at Old Trafford, ‘Cuneyt Cakir’ is the fourth official for the
final. With experienced hands chosen, it is expected that the match will be a
fantastic watch.
PREDICTED
LINE UPS
REAL MADRID-
Iker,
Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe/Varane, Marcelo, Illarra, Modric, Di Maria, BALE, BENZ,
CR7
If Pepe
doesn’t make it, Raphael Varane can confidently partner Ramos in central
defense and with Alonso suspended, Asier ILLARRAMENDI has to post one of the
best performances to match the excellent abilities of Gabi, Mario Suarez and
Koke Resurreccion. Luka Modric has been the best player in Real Madrid this
season, bar none. The nimble and very efficient midfield gem bossed the
Schweinsteigers of this world this season and can run Los Rojiblancos out of
Lisbon. Di Maria will leave Isco on the bench almost certainly and the BBC will
be burdened with the unenviable task of shooting down the Godin-Miranda
marshalled defense of Atletico Madrid.
ATLETICO
MADRID-
Courtois,
Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Gabi, Suarez, Koke, Diego, Raul Garcia,
Costa/Adrian
Diego
Simeone’s well drilled machine operates at the maximum when Diego Costa plays. The
little beast is similar to ‘the lion of Apache’, Carlos Tevez, but probably
more proficient. His consistency has been unbelievably astounding and if fit,
we know what to expect. Adrian can function effectively as a striker but is
nothing like his more illustrious colleague. Filipe Luis has been all guns
blazing and is undoubtedly the best left back in Spain. Unlucky not to get
called up by ‘Big Phil’, he has put that disappointment behind him to push
forward Atleti’s hopes of becoming European champions. His friend at right back
is no slouch either. Juanfran is very comfortable in his position and offers
that Cafu-esque support from the right. Godin and Miranda have been monumental
at the back and the Uruguayan took matters in his own hands when he rose
highest to head home the decisive goal at the Camp Nou last Saturday. With the
League wrapped up, winning the Champions League and denying Real of ‘LA DECIMA’
will go down as the greatest achievement ever by any manager in Atleti history
and probably football as a Sport. El Cholo’s stock is progressing geometrically
and he is only starting out.
Let the
light shine as bright as it can in Lisbon and may the best team win.
Ohireime P
Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990
