Cristiano Ronaldo finds perfect stage to live Real Madrid’s dream
Cristiano Ronaldo is in town, which in this part of the world means a 24/7 police presence to keep back the crowds outside his hotel. "A special adrenaline," the Ballon d'Or winner said, before a game that puts him on the biggest stage, just where he likes to be, the Guardian reports.
He has already overtaken Alfredo di Stéfano's scoring feats for Real Madrid in the European Cup and his first goal against Bayern Munich in the semi-final took him to 15 and another record, overhauling Lionel Messi, as he made sure to point out with his celebration. Now, he was asked, did he feel part of Madrid's history? "In my view," he replied, "I have been part of this club's history for a while." He gives the impression the occasion is made for him.
It is a game full of subplots. Never before have two teams from the same city competed for the European Cup. Then consider the length of time Real have been going for the décima - longer, certainly, than they would probably want to remember - and how Carlo Ancelotti described what it means to his club. "A close line between a dream and an obsession," the coach said. His players, he added, would barely need a team talk, such was their motivation already.
Equally, do not make the mistake of assuming this will be one match too far for Atlético Madrid. The critics in Spain have been predicting their bubble might burst for months. It never has. "Passion, commitment, unity, dedication," the coach, Diego Simeone, said. It has already brought them the Spanish championship and if there is one thing we should know about Simeone by now it is that his team should not be underestimated. "He has changed everything," the midfielder Tiago said. "He is like a God. Whatever he says comes true. If he asks us to jump from a bridge, we jump."
The story Atlético do not really want to contemplate is that it could also be the night that signals the dismantling of the team - or at least the start of it. Thibaut Courtois, Diego Costa and probably one or two others will be playing their final game for the club.
Costa may already have done so if his hamstring issues rule him out, and it is a pity for Atlético that their most formidable scorer is not fully fit, even though he was able to train on the pitch on Friday. A final needs its superstars and Costa has worn that title with distinction. Adrián López, the natural replacement, scored only once in La Liga and, on that basis alone, Simeone could be excused for taking a risk. Costa clearly has to balance what is realistic and avoid worsening his injury before the World Cup.
Ancelotti, aiming to become the only manager in history apart from Bob Paisley to win three European Cups, has his own dilemma. Real - and Ronaldo - are seldom as effective when Xabi Alonso is missing. Asier Illarramendi is not always a reliable replacement, despite costing close to £30m, and Sami Khedira has barely played since November. Karim Benzema has a thigh problem and Pepe is also carrying an injury, in a defence who already tend to encourage opponents. Atlético conceded 26 goals in la Liga last season, compared with 38 for Real, and that is essentially why the team from the Estadio Vicente Calderón were touring Madrid on an open-top bus parade on Sunday while the one from the Bernabéu took on the role of jealous onlookers. "We are a compact team, a well-structured team," Simeone said. Yet there is more to Atlético's story than just being a side who give everything. Koke, in particular, could grace any team.
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