The San Siro in Milan will play host to the 2016 Champions League final as Atletico Madrid take on local rivals Real Madrid. It is a rematch of the final from two seasons ago, which Real won 4-1 in extra time, despite being down 1-0 for most of the match. This will be only the second time that a European Cup final will be contested by two clubs from the same city.
Sergio Ramos equalized in injury time to help Real Madrid win La Decima against Atletico in 2014. Photo: @footballespana_ | Twitter
Raphael Varane is a definite absence for Real Madrid, while Cristiano Ronaldo suffered an injury after a collision with goalkeeper Kiko Casilla during training. The absence of Ronaldo would be a huge blow for Madrid, but Ronaldo insists he will be fit, calling the injury "just a scare."
WATCH: @Cristiano Ronaldo plays down injury fears ahead of @ChampionsLeague final. https://t.co/uNmrdgxdEH #SSNHQ https://t.co/CRClyimtPU
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) May 24, 2016
For Atletico, the only presumed absence will be Tiago, who only just came back from after a six-month injury layoff against Celta Vigo in the last game of the season. He may make the bench for the 2016 Champions League final, but he almost certainly won't start.
Facts and Stats
Photo: @NWProgrammes | Twitter
- If Cristiano Ronaldo plays, he could become the first player in history to score in three different Champions League finals.
- Atletico have not lost to their neighbors since the Champions League final in 2014 (W5 D3).
- Real are undefeated in 12 of their last 13 matches, and have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 7.
- This is the fourth European Cup tie between the two teams. Atletico have never managed to best Real.
- Atletico have conceded just 18 goals in La Liga this season, the best in Europe's top-5 leagues.
- Jan Oblak kept 24 clean sheets this season in La Liga, more than any other goalkeeper in Atletico history.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored as many goals in European competition this season as the entire Atletico side (16).
- Zinedine Zidane never lost to Atletico as a player (W6 D2). He also has the best points total of any Real Madrid coach after 20 games (53).
- Diego Simeone has lost only one of his last 10 meetings with Real Madrid. He could become only the third non-European coach to lift the European Cup.
- Real Madrid have won 72% of their Champions League games with Ronaldo on the pitch. They have won only 43% without him.
Diego Simeone (left) and Zinedine Zidane faced each other many times as players. Photo: @Splurgehub | Twitter
Real Madrid have been far below their usual standards this season, and in many ways are lucky to have even reached this stage of the competition. While their form has taken a turn for the better in the latter half of the season, Atletico just look too strong defensively for Los Blancos. The 2016 Champions League final will be tight, but Atletico should edge it.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Follow me on Twitter @J_Hansen_89
