Real Madrid – Atletico Madrid match preview: A Champions League final that will make history

Real Madrid will look to conquer the long-await Decima as they face city rivals Atletico Madrid at Estadio da Luz, in Lisbon. The champion of the Copa del Rey and the winner of La Liga will meet in a game that will decide who’s the best European team of the season.

Xabi Alonso will be Carlo Ancelotti’s most crucial miss. The Spanish international was shown a yellow card against Bayern Munich and will sit on the stands through suspension. It seems like Asier Illarramendi will replace him, although Sami Khedira could also make it in the starting eleven.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema have arrived in Lisbon with physical problems. However, they trained normally yesterday and are expected to feature. Ronaldo will start for sure, while Pepe and Benzema will be a doubt until the last minute. Raphael Varane and Isco will be ready in case they can’t make it.

Meanwhile, Diego Simeone has the doubts of Diego Costa and Arda Turan. The Brazilian has travelled to Belgrade this week to undergo a horse placenta treatment, and it seems to have worked. He completed a regular training session yesterday and could start tonight. Turan also seems recovered from his muscle problems. Adrian and Jose Sosa would replace them if they were not perfectly fit.

Real and Atletico have met four times so far this season. The Colchoneros earned a victory and a draw in La Liga, but they lost 3-0 and 0-2 in the Copa del Rey. This time they arrive very motivated after having won La Liga in Barcelona last Saturday.

Atletico have never won the Champions League, and they face a historic opportunity. They’ve only played one final, but they lost to Bayern Munich in 1974. Real Madrid will look for their tenth title. After 12 years without playing a final, Los Blancos draught could end tonight.

Possible line-ups:

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Coentrao; Di Maria, Illarramendi, Modric; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Tiago, Turan; Villa, Diego Costa.