So, after a qualifying
campaign stretching back to last July, three months’ of group games
and the knockout stages, the UEFA Champions’ League essentially
boils down to a Madrid derby, albeit played on neutral territory at
Stadio San Siro in Milan, on Saturday.
Both teams topped their
respective qualifying groups, but Real had to overcome a 2-0
first-leg deficit against VfL Wolfsburg at the Bernabeu in their
quarter-final, while Atletico also trailed Barcelona 2-1 after their
quarter final first-leg at the Camp Nou. The sides finished second
and third in the Spanish Primera, separated by just two points, so
the repeat of the 2014 final, which Real won 4-1 after extra-time,
could be a tense, tight affair.
The bookmakers,
understandably, make Real Madrid – the most successful team in the
history of the competition – favourites (6/4) to lift the trophy
for an eleventh time against Los Colchoneros (23/10), who’ve yet to
win it at all.
Los Blancos’ boss
Zinedine Zidane will be without French international centre-back
Raphael Varane because of a thigh injury but, while Zizou has
acknowledged that Real face a difficult task to overcome their old
rivals, it’s hard not to fancy any side that includes Cristiano
Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos, to name but a
few.
Of course, Atletico
drew 1-1 at the Vincente Calderon Stadium back in October and won 1-0
at the Bernabeu in February, so clearly all is not lost for Diego
Simeone’s side, but Zidane has steadied the ship at Real since
taking over from Rafa Benitez in January and must have every chance
of becoming the sixth man to lift the Champions’ League trophy as a
player and a manager. In search of a little value, let’s try both
teams to score and Real Madrid to win at 5/1 with Bet 365.
Selection: Both
teams to score and Real Madrid to win (5/1 with Bet365)