2015/16 Champions League Final - Real or Atletico?
All eyes will be on Milan this weekend as the 2015/16 Champions League Final takes place in the famous San Siro stadium. Battling it out to win the European Cup are two historic and close rivals, Atletico Madrid and their more illustrious neighbours Real.
Atletico have twice been runners-up in Europe’s elite cup competition, losing the final in 1974 and two years ago after extra-time against their arch rivals, so will be determined to get revenge this time and lift the biggest prize in European club football. If Atletico were to win, they’d also create a little bit of history by becoming the first club to win the European Cup, UEFA Cup (which they won in 2010 and 2012), the now-defunct Cup Winners Cup, the Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup (now called the World Club Championships) and the Inter-Toto Cup.
For Real, all the talk will be about winning a historic 11th European Cup. It is the yardstick that all Real managers are measured by, though given his glittering playing career at the Bernabeu, Zinedine Zidane may receive a bit more slack than many of his predecessors who have fallen on their sword even after winning silverware, Carlo Ancelotti a prime example.
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The battle on the touchline will be intense between two legends of the game, Diego Simeone and Zinedine Zidane. Simeone reached the final in 2014 with Atletico so will be determined to get the better of his counterpart who only stepped into the hot-seat at the Bernabeu in January.[/caption]
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Two of the best goalkeepers in the world today. Atletico's Slovenian stopper Jan Oblak and Costa Rica hero Keylor Navas who keeps goal for Real.[/caption]
Both managers enjoyed hero status at their respective clubs and it is guaranteed that Diego Simeone or Zinedine Zidane will not shirk from the challenge ahead of them this Saturday. With Simeone, you are guaranteed 90 minutes entertainment, as he eggs on his Atletico players from the touchline kicking every ball with them. Sometimes Simeone does go over the score but hopefully he will keep his emotions in check unlike the 2014 final where he lost the plot following Real’s defeat of his side.
Zidane, just like his playing self, is a lot more controlled than his colleague on the Atletico side of the dugouts. However he can get excited on the sidelines too, as evidenced by two suit-splitting episodes this season already. Since taking over the reins at the Bernabeu in January, he has already shown that he is not afraid to make the big decisions, gradually sidelining players like James Rodriguez and Isco, and giving Welshman Gareth Bale (who scored the winner in the 2014 final, see video below) a more prominent role in attack.
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While they may still be underdogs compared to Real, Atletico Madrid have become one of the top sides in Europe during the last few years, winning the Spanish League in 2013-14 and consistently challenging Real and Barcelona for the title, narrowly missing out on lifting the La Liga title this season to their Catalan rivals. Well organised and strong in defence, Atletico are built in the mould of their manager and are hard to break down, as Bayern Munich and Barcelona found out to their cost in the quarter finals and semi-finals respectively. Real, while they are no slouches when it comes to defending are more attack-minded and rely on the firepower of their top three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to fire them to victory each week. This is just one of the many contrasts between the arch rivals.
Goalkeeper is an area where both sides are strong. Atletico’s number 1 Jan Oblak was rated the best goalkeeper in La Liga last season, though his rival in the Real goal Keylor Navas is also one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Oblak would probably edge a head-to-head though on current form.
Defensively Atletico are stronger and more organised than Real. Led by Uruguayan centre-half Diego Godin and backed up by Felipe Luis and Juanfran, Atletico’s rearguard is extremely difficult to break down and provides their forward players with the platform to attack. Their strength is in the team unity though. The attacking players understand the defence-first philosophy of the team and make sure they help out in all areas of the pitch. This has been a big part of the club’s success over the last few seasons.
Real Madrid’s defence, while still one of the best in the world, does have its fair share of shaky moments, with Sergio Ramos being prone to errors due to his style of play. They will also be missing French defender Raphael Varane which is a blow as he is one of their leading players at the back. However, a team that has only conceded 1 goal in 12 Champions League games when Navas has played can’t be doing too bad a job on the defensive side of the game.
The battle for midfield supremacy should see Gabi and Augusto Fernandez line up against Luka Modric and Casemiro and you would give Real the slight edge in this department, though you know you will get 90 minutes work out of Gabi which could help snuff out Modric’s creative threat. In Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale, Real boast two of the world’s top players in the attacking midfield area, with Bale being a proven match-winner. Atletico’s attacking midfield duo of Koke and Saul Niguez are two of the youngest talents in world football with the latter scoring a great goal in the semi-final against Barcelona.
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Two key players at the back for both sides. Godin and Ramos will be vital in determining which of the two Madrid sides ends up victorious after Saturday's final.[/caption]
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Antoine Griezmann has notched up 32 goals for Atletico this season, but that's nothing compared to Cristiano Ronaldo's haul of 51 for Real![/caption]
Up front, Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann is one of the new stars of world football and is sure to be a threat to Real’s bid for another European Cup. Griezmann has scored in the two previous rounds of the competition and is seen as the biggest dangerman on Atletico’s books now. This season the Frenchman has bagged 32 goals and don’t be surprised if after this final he is the subject of big money bids from some of the leading lights in the English Premier League. The icon of Atletico is Fernando Torres who at 32 is back at the Vicente Calderon where he began his career. While no longer considered one of the world’s best strikers like he was in his previous time with Atletico or at Liverpool, “El Nino” has matured into a striker that gives more around other key areas of the pitch while still weighing in with 12 goals this season, so is an important member of the Atletico side.
Real Madrid’s offensive line is led by French striker Karim Benzema and a man that needs very little introduction, Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo may be a doubt for Saturday’s final due to a knock picked up in training this week but the Portuguese superstar will be doing everything in his power to be fit for the final in Milan. Real will definitely need his attacking skills to help break down a stubborn Atletico backline and with 51 goals to his name already this season, he will be the favourite to grab the first goal.
It is almost impossible to predict who will win the match and European football’s biggest trophy, but one thing is certain, whether you are a fan of Los Blancos (Real Madrid) or Los Colchoneros (Atletico’s nickname means The Mattress Makers due to their red and white stripe shirts being likened to old-fashioned mattresses), you will be sure of watching a great game of football that will be action-packed from the first whistle to the end.
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Dress like the Atletico Madrid team and get your team kitted out in the Nike Striped Division II Jerseys with League Knit Shorts and Classic II Socks.[/caption]
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Europa League, Cup Winners Cup, Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, Intertoto Cup, all in the trophy cabinet. Can Atletico finally add the European Cup and complete a unique and historic Grand Slam?[/caption]
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Make a Real impression on your opponents this season by dressing like Los Blancos in this adidas Squadra 13 SS Jersey with matching Parma 16 Shorts and Santos 3-Stripe Socks.[/caption]
FOOTBALL KITS TO MAKE YOUR TEAM LOOK LIKE THE MADRID SIDES
Want to kit out your team in a football kit that will make them look like they are emulating either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid? At Direct Soccer and Express Football Kits we have come up with 3 kits from the top manufacturers that will help you create the look of Real or Atletico for your club team.
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Nike Park VI LS Jersey in White - new for 2016. A great looking football shirt![/caption]
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Prostar Celsius Jersey in White gives a classic look to your football team kit.[/caption]
Real Madrid’s colours are all white from top to bottom. Nowadays the club themselves has contrast stripes on the jerseys to represent the brand that supply their kits, adidas. However if it is a short sleeve adidas football kit that you are keen on, then the Squadra 13 Short Sleeved Jersey in plain white is perfect for your team to wear when playing football. For a long sleeve option from adidas, go for the Tabela 14 in White with Black stripes with a shadow diagonal stripe pattern on the body of the shirt and is a great timeless classic. For shorts and socks the Parma 16 Short and Santos 3-Stripe Socks are ideal for a complete white adidas football kit.
If Nike is your brand of choice for football team kit, but you still want to look like Real Madrid, then how about the simple Park VI design in long sleeves with Park II Knit Shorts and Classic II Socks? You can buy a set of 15 of these in adult sizes, including numbers on the back of the jerseys, for just £424.54 including delivery. Our Nike Park Kit Pack even allows you to choose a mix of sizes as you put the items into your shopping basket.
For a great value team kit, the Prostar Celsius Football Jersey with Kiev Shorts and Mercury Plain Socks is one of the best around and gives you a look to rival Real Madrid while not spending the kind of money that would make even a Galactico blush!
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Adidas Striped 15 Long Sleeve Jersey - Power Red/White colourway.[/caption]
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Mitre Optimize Football Jersey in Scarlet/White, great value for money football shirt.[/caption]
ATLETICO’S LOOK IS THE WAY TO GO
Atletico Madrid’s main kit is red and white striped shirts with royal blue shorts and red socks. We have a great selection of red and white striped kits including one made by the same company that supply the football kit to Atletico, Nike.
Choose the Striped Division II Long Sleeve Jersey in University Red/White which has a gradient print pattern on the front of the shirt and plain sleeves and back for the perfect tribute to Atletico for your team to wear. Team these up with the League Knit Shorts in Royal Blue with a white panel stripe and the Classic II Socks in University Red/White and you will have a kit that will make your team stand out from the competition.
Alternatively, pick adidas’ Striped 15 long sleeve jerseys in red and white with the Parma 16 Shorts in Bold Blue and Milano 16 Socks in Power Red for the adidas version of Atletico’s design. A set of 15 of these in adult sizes including numbers on the jerseys and delivery will cost you £514.99 and our Adidas Kit Pack allows you to choose different sizes as you add them to your shopping basket rather than having to buy a full set of just one size.
The Mitre Optimize is a great football jersey in red and white stripes and teams up well with the Mitre Metric Short and Mercury Plain Socks for a great Atletico inspired football kit for your youth or adult football team.
Whichever kit you decide on, buy your new football kit at Direct Soccer or Express Football Kits for a champion service and great value that will put your team in a league of their own come the big kick-off next season!
