Champions League: Real ‘are the underdogs’

How they match up: Sports Performance Analysis company prozone have provided the Bermuda Sun with this segment of their official final preview. *Graphic courtesy of Prozone

REAL MADRID v ATLETICO MADRID

Sergio Ramos believes city rivals Atletico Madrid are the favorites for tomorrow’s Champions League final in Lisbon, kick-off 3:45pm.

Real faded badly in La Liga after winning the Copa del Rey thanks to Gareth Bale’s stunning solo goal.

It allowed Barcelona to steal in and set-up a final-day league showdown with Diego Simeone’s Atletico at the Nou Camp. But, with their now trademark grit, Atletico earned a 1-1 draw to win the team’s first title in 18 years and prompt genuine applause from the home crowd.

With this in mind, Ramos is playing the underdog card despite Real having a budget five times that of their oppponents.

He said: “We are up against a great team in Atletico Madrid who, from my point of view, are the favourites.

“They are the deserved current league champions and deserve credit for reaching the Champions League final.

‘But that doesn’t mean they are going to be the champions of the Champions League.”

‘La Decima’ is a big deal for Real, who pride themselves on their European record.

Already the most successful team in the competition’s history, moving to 10 titles would place them three ahead of AC Milan.

However, it’s been 12 years since Los Blancos lifted the trophy.

Ramos added: “The final is for the fans. It’s a competition, which after so many years, really excites both us and the fans. 

“It’s going to be a very hard-fought final. We’re expecting a very physical match, which will be won by whoever commits the fewest mistakes.”

Superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale are both expected to start the game and long-serving keeper Iker Casillas is desperate for victory.

“I want us to win for the Madrid fans, who have suffered a lot in recent years. I hope we do it for them,” Casillas told the club’s official website. “But it’s not going to be an easy match. We’re facing an exceptional opponent. 

“I want our supporters to feel proud of the team. We want it to be a nice spectacle, to win La Decima and for everyone to celebrate together.

“Hopefully I can lift the trophy; it would be a wonderful moment for everyone, a fantastic end-of-season party.”