By Adeyinka Akintunde, Lagos on May 28, 2016

The 80,018-seater San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, will be the battle ground where two Madrid clubs will battle for the Holy Grail in the all-Spanish UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday night, May 28, 2016. This will be the second time in three years that Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will contest for the ultimate prize in European club football. Real Madrid had ran away 4-1 winners at extra-time in Lisbon, Portugal, the last time they both met in 2014.

The about-to-conclude season has been a dramatic one, seeing giants like last season’s finalists, Juventus and Barcelona, falling by the way side. Little fancied clubs also caused some upsets this season, with Manchester City riding their way through to the semi-finals and VfL Wolfsburg almost sending Real Madrid packing at the last eight. Chelsea had steady progress in the competition despite their poor form in England but Paris St. Germaine ended their adventure in the last sixteen. But it was the two Madrid clubs that made it to the final this season, defying all the odds on the way.

Despite being drawn in Group A against the likes of Paris Saint-Germaine, Real Madrid topped the group with ease. With five wins and one draw, Madrid cruised past their opponents, proving themselves as one of the favourites to take out the title.

After an impressive performance against Roma in the Round of 16, Real Madrid were challenged by Wolfsburg, trailing 2-0 at the end of the first leg. At the return leg, Cristiano Ronaldo levelled the tie at two goals each just 17 minutes into the contest, before he added his third in the 77th minute as Real completed a great escape.

In the semi-finals, Real Madrid overcame Manchester City with just one goal scored over both matches. Gareth Bale hit the roof of the net in the second-leg. Some argue that it was an own goal from City’s Fernando but irrespective of who was the real scorer, Real Madrid advanced to the final.

Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, reached the final with their heart in their mouth. They had advanced from their group as winners, but had to rely on a long (sudden-death) penalty shoot-out to beat PSV Eindhoven in the Round of 16. They took on Barcelona in what can so far be described as the match of the season. They lost the first leg 2-1 at the Camp Nou, but had a great come-back in the second leg, with a brace from Antoine Griezmann, and an 85th minute penalty, to send the defending champions packing.

Bayern Munich came calling next and it took an away goal from Saul Niguez to knock out the Germans, as the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate.

The game in Milan can go either way, but on paper, Real Madrid seem the favourite to win, having won the title ten times, with the most recent, against Atletico Madrid in 2014. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, who already has 16 goals this season, needing two more to break his 2013/2014 record.

Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez will be threats to the white Angels defence, with Griezmann scoring seven goals at crucial moments, this season. Real Madrid must stop the speed of Niguez, if they would not want damage to their Champions League quest.

There will be one champion at the end. The champion is definitely from Madrid this time. But whether it is Real or Atletico, 90 minutes in San Siro will tell.

•Photo shows Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to make a difference in tonight’s final.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 28, 2016

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