Last night saw for the first time 2 local teams battle it out for the biggest prize in club football. Prior to the game I was convinced Atletico were going to see it through. After winning the la liga title for the first time since 1996 and also most importantly loosening the headlock that Real Madrid and Barcelona have had on the Spanish league. No real major stars and like I imagine a lot of people I had never heard of Diego Costa until this season. Diego Simeone has created a well drilled outlet who are incredibly difficult to break down. I really didn't think they would get past Chelsea at the bridge but I was left speechless by that flawless performance. Real Madrid have a obsession with the Champions league. A lot of good managers have lost their jobs purely because they could deliver this to the ever expectant Real Madrid board.
This had all the makings for a classic. Atletico were on cloud 9 after doing what they needed to do at the Camp Nou and had the momentum. Real have had their best campaign in the champions league in a number of years. This highlighted with the manner they dismantled the "unbeatable" Bayern Munich.
Much was publicised with the inclusion of Diego Costa after pulling his hamstring just 7 days ago. Costa has been a major player this season and they rely heavily on his goals and exceptional hold up play that gets the others involved. It doesn't take a sports doctor to know that's hamstring injury is at least a 3 week lead time so 7 days is madness. Now we should probably presume that Simeone was hoping to get 30 minutes out of him and the form he has been in he probably had a goal in him. Seeing him limp off after 7 minutes really summed up the disaster.
Atletico going one nil up meant Real had to use all of their superb attacking talents and get at them. Things just weren't happening for Real in the first half and early in the second half. Ronaldo didn't look at his normal impeccable best so they had to find someone else to take the mantle. Di Maria was going up a gear and I have been impressed with him this year. He has had a lot of pressure since Ozil left as he has had to take the play making mantle. The pressure they were putting Athletico was relentless with 4 or 5 massive chances passing Real by. Gareth Bale must have been one of the most relieved men in Lisbon after Sergio Ramos rose and headed the equaliser with barely 2 minutes left. How would any manager be able to pick Athletico up after that? It was really tough up on them as they defended so well throughout the match.
Gareth Bale then put himself into the Real record books by being the first Welshman to score in a Champions league final. After missing the 2 big chances he showed great character to get into the position to score that chance. You sensed that the intense defending from Athletico had taken its toll as Real added 2 more to the score line. Very harsh on them and quite frankly not a real reflection of the game.
Real finally got that 10th Champions league title and was a fantastic show. Carlo Anchelotti has done a fantastic job with this group of players. One of the biggest task was making a group of superstars into a team which many have struggled to do. Diego Simone will struggle to keep hold of Diego Costa and maybe a couple of others. The fact is they may have missed out last night but they are deserved champions of Spain. It has been refreshing to see a team break into the mix and they way they have done it too has been incredible. A win last night would have been a perfect finish but regardless what a show they have put on!
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