Decima's obsession, Primera's dream. Real Madrid – Atletico Madrid is not just a Champions League final, it's The Final. Two teams from the same city divided by the Manzanares river and by an infinite number of things, so much so that one really wonders how they manage to live under the same roof. Tonight, at the Da Luz stadium in Lisbon, usually the home of Benfica, they will contest what was once called the European Cup, the most important and prestigious club trophy in the world. It is a purely Spanish question of course, but not only. Portugal will also be on the field, partly because they will be the host country, partly due to the presence of Pepe, Thiago and, above all, Cristiano Ronaldo. There is curiosity in seeing how Da Luz will welcome the reigning Ballon d'Or: Portuguese it is true, but from the Sporting school, not exactly the best for the people of Benfica. And then there's a bit of Italy playing for the Champions League. In fact, Carlo Ancelotti will sit on the bench of the most prestigious club in the world in the most important match, the one that could give Real Madrid the much coveted tenth cup.
“We've been waiting for this moment for an entire season – admitted the white coach. – There is a lot of expectation and also a little concern”. Yes, because Madrid's army just can't afford to fail in the assault on the Champions League, especially against the hated colchoneros cousins. No one at the beginning of the year would have bet a euro on Diego Pablo Simeone's team, the other pinch of Italy present on the pitch (okay, he's Argentinian, but after all he played for Pisa, Inter and Lazio, as well as having coached Catania…). Instead, Cholo won La Liga without ever losing against Barcelona and Real: precedents that make the Atleti people proud, fully represented by their coach.
“I try to live in the moment with responsibility, not with pressure – thought Simeone. – We want to give back to the people who support us the same joy that they continue to give us, we know we are competitive”. In short, no awe, neither on one side nor on the other. After all, that's right, both because the finals have always been games in themselves, and because both teams have training problems. Let's start by saying that Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa, the most awaited men of the match, will be there. However, both will grit their teeth, in particular the Spanish attacker, put back on his feet by a miraculous (or at least it seems) cure based on horse placenta (!). Benzema and Pepe won't be at the top either, as will Arda Turan, all people who pulled the cart for an entire season and who are now willing to play the match of their life even with one leg. Ancelotti will also have to do without the suspended Xabi Alonso, the real pivot of the midfield, an absence that could prove to be quite heavy. However, all this is part of the technical-tactical aspect, but at 20.45 it will be another matter. In the Champions League finals, in addition to feet, you need head and heart. Real and Atletico have done well so far, but only one will lift the cup with big ears. It will be the triumph of the Decima on the statue of the goddess Cibeles, or the apotheosis of the Primera in the fountain of the god Neptuno. After that in Madrid nothing will ever be the same again.
