There will be some who complain that the European Cup final was never meant to be contested by two teams from the same city, but tonight's Madrid derby in Lisbon promises a fascinating psychological battle. The self-styled Kings of Europe have the chance to win a record 10th European Cup, but to do so they must overcome their upstart neighbours, who have already humbled them in the Spanish league.
The match pits the immovable object of Real Madrid’s pomp and bombast against the irresistible force of Atlético’s desire. The derby element creates unique pressures. The Madrid clubs might not meet again in this final for 50 years. Whoever loses will never be allowed to forget the defeat. But that doesn’t mean the pressure is felt equally by both sides.
Having to face Atlético is the ultimate test of Real’s neurosis.
For the richest club in the world, "la decima" is an obligation. The ninth cup, secured by Zinedine Zidane's glorious volley at Hampden Park, had been their third Champions League victory in five seasons. They looked set to rule Europe for years to come. As it turned out, their era of dominance was already over. This is the first final they have reached for 12 years. The pressure to deliver is almost unbearable. Lose, and this team will be marked by the failure forever. Pure opportunity For Atlético, the final represents pure opportunity. It's the shot at immortality that they never expected to get. For a team poised on the brink of history, they seem calm – more than calm. When the three co-captains, Gabi, Tiago and Raul Garcia, appeared alongside coach Diego Simeone at the press conference, they projected the uncanny self-possession of members of a cult.
Asked to describe the contribution his manager had made, Tiago grinned: “It’s difficult to say with him sitting here beside me. But he’s like a god for us. He arrived to the club and he changed everything. What he says to us comes true. We follow him. If he asks us to go and jump from the bridge, we jump.”
It was an amazing testament to the charismatic influence of Simeone, who quickly deflected the praise back towards the players: “The coaching team has been empowered by this group of players. The best thing a coach can have is when the players accurately represent what we feel for this game – passion, unity, devotion. That is when they become more than just athletes.”
When Real Madrid's co-captain, Sergio Ramos, was asked a similar question about his coach, Carlo Ancelotti, he gave a rather different answer. "I think we're all proud of the fact that he's in charge of this ship," Ramos said.
"From the moment he's arrived he's always insisted on effort, on intensity, and so I think Real Madrid identifies itself nowadays with our coach. He too has great experience as a player, and that makes him a bit different to other coaches."
The last comment sounded like a barb at Ancelotti’s predecessor, Jose Mourinho, with whom Ramos endured a poor relationship.
It was curious that on the eve of a European final, a year after the Portuguese coach left the Bernabeu, Ramos still appeared to have Mourinho on his mind. Sustained injuries The big questions last night concerned the fitness of Atlético's top scorer, Diego Costa, and left-sided midfielder, Arda Turan. Both men sustained injuries in last weekend's title decider against Barcelona, Costa pulling a hamstring and Turan sustaining a heavy blow to the hip.
In training last night at the Estadio da Luz, Turan was moving without any evident problems, while Costa looked as though he was holding back. Costa is a star and many times this season he has been their inspiration, but Simeone’s collectivist ethos suggests it’s unlikely he will select a half-fit player.
“Arda and Costa, they’re just names,” he said. “They’re both very important players within the team, of course, but there are other players who know they’ll be playing if they don’t play, so we’re working to prepare for any eventuality.”
Simeone, who could become only the third non-European to win this trophy as a manager, after his fellow Argentines Luis Carniglia and Helenio Herrera, seemed to be enjoying the occasion rather more than Ancelotti.
The Italian had spent most of his press conference sitting with a face of stone until someone suggested he looked tense. “Tense, really? I would say I’m focused. It’s a major match. I’m really quite calm.”
Win tonight and Ancelotti becomes the first man since Bob Paisley to win three European Cups as a manager. Lose, and he might as well send a van to pick up his possessions in Madrid.
Fortunately for him he has long experience dealing with the twin impostors of triumph and disaster.
“We have to enjoy this experience. I have clear memories of my last press conference before the final in 2007. I said: “This might be my last press conference. Let me enjoy it.” Well, it wasn’t. But this one might be the last. We can’t be certain. So I’m going to enjoy it.”
