BIG HEARTS FOR THE BIG EARS.

The Estadio da Luz in Portugal Illuminate’s as the crowning moment of European club football beckons. This poses to be an exciting day. This is the first final since the passing of Portuguese great Eusebio and it takes place in, the stadium O’Rei lit up for years.

But let’s get straight into it. I often delay the writing of these articles so that i am aware of last minute squad news and so far, not much has changed.

Real Madrid has gone to lengths to convince the media that Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are fit to start the game. They have not convinced me.

BBC.

Atlético Madrid has thrown caution to the wind and have incorporated a treatment that has no ecological validity. In my opinion, the club must endeavour not to shorten the careers of Diego costa and Arda Turan by starting any of these players in the match. I have watched their training session, neither is fit, horse placenta or not.

I feel all the injured players’ frustrations. It must be painful having your muscles control your destiny. It is in these moments my respect triples for professional players; they literally undergo any sort of treatment to get fit. They are brave men.

Real Madrid

But to the football, I particularly like this matchup of teams and had suggested to many that this was my choice final. It is simply the Best attack (Real Madrid) vs the best defence (Atlético).

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid has been mighty impressive and remains the only team unbeaten in the Champions League this season (9 wins, 3 draws). But they have not been the best team. That honour for me goes to Real Madrid.

Nonetheless, Los merengue’s must go some way to proving themselves. They have provided enough rope to hang themselves what with the way the la liga was sacrificed and also all this “La Decima” discourse.

Ancelotti and Simeone have had personnel decisions to make that will likely decide this final. For Ancelotti, it is certain his beast Pepe is not conditioned for the game. Raphael Varane becomes the next choice in line.

Varane

For all of Jose Mourinho’s musings that varane will become the best defender in the world, this season has done nothing for his development. He lacks concentration in key moments and immediately lends importance to my idea that Sergio Ramos must bring his “A” game today.

Also, who will bell the central midfield cats of Atletico Madrid now that Xabi Alonso won’t play? Asier Illaramendi?, Sami Khedira?, Casemiro?

Illaramendi

There is a reason why none of these names inspires confidence because all so far have had indifferent seasons. I reckon the 30million plus player “illaramendi” will get the nod. If not, you would have to question the message Real Madrid are saying to him.

Diego simeone has looked less fussed with the injury situation in his squad.  Sadly whatever substitutes he utilises will be something of a downgrade as no one has bettered the impact of Costa and Turan this season. I reckon Raul Garcia and Adrian are waiting in the wings for a start. Both can change the courses of their careers by maximizing their potential today.

Raul Garcia

As for match play aesthetics, it’s a derby. Expect everything you know that comes with such matches. Good luck to the referee Björn Kuipers today, he will need it.

Real Madrid rightly have the edge, I think they will win. They are better conditioned and no one will argue when I say they have more to lose.

Atlético Madrid are heroes already, they have big hearts. But too much effort was put into the game against Barcelona! This looks a bridge too far in my opinion.

Ancelotti’s players love him. Has anyone noticed the surprising lack of dissent from Real Madrid’s dressing room this season?

Ancelotti is the reason for this as he has united many feuding parties within the squad. Today they will unite for him and win the day as they know his job depends on it.

Take care till Brazil.