Lisbon gets ready for Madrid party

Lisbon: Atletico Madrid have a chance in Saturday’s Champions League final not only to claim their debut European crown but to deny their loathed and vastly wealthier neighbours Real Madrid a record-extending 10th. Atletico have already outperformed this season in securing a remarkable La Liga triumph, shattering the domestic dominance of Real and Barcelona and becoming the first team other than the big two to win the Spanish title since Valencia in 2004.

They are also back competing with the continent’s elite after a lengthy absence and the first showpiece between teams from the same city in the 59-year history of the European Cup is their second final after they lost out to Bayern Munich in 1974. Real have splashed more than $822 million on players over the past five years.

Atletico have held one celebration at the Neptune fountain in central Madrid this season, partying with their delirious fans after winning La Liga for the first time in 18 years, and will be hoping to return with the European Cup. Should they fall short, Real and their fans will flock to the nearby Cibeles fountain having finally claimed the elusive ‘decima’ after more than a decade of disappointment.

Teams hit by injury worries

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have concerns over the fitness of key players ahead of the first ever meeting between two sides from the same city in the Champions League final in Lisbon on Saturday. Real are the worst affected as defender Pepe and striker Karim Benzema remain major doubts, but coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo will start despite a muscle problem which has prevented him taking a full part in training this week.

Atletico are almost certain to be missing their top scorer in Diego Costa despite the Brazilian-born striker reportedly travelling to Serbia to receive special horse placenta treatment on a hamstring injury this week. Ronaldo pulled out of Real’s final La Liga game of the season against Espanyol last weekend due to an ongoing hamstring injury, which also saw him miss crucial games in the Liga title run in as Real lost out to champions Atletico.

However, the Portuguese forward will return to the city where he started his playing career with Sporting Lisbon and admitted he is desperate to finally lead Real to their 10th European Cup after five seasons with the club. “It will be a special game. I will be playing in my home country, in Portugal,” the 29-year-old told UEFA.Com

“It is my first final with Real Madrid, so that will be special too and it will be against a great team in Atletico. They have had an amazing year, but we are going to give our best and try to win because we want that 10th title.” “This year we feel we are just one small step away from winning,” he added.