Khaleej Times

Real eye 11th crown

Ronaldo says beating Atletico in today’s final in Milan will be difficult

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milan — Cristiano Ronaldo insists personal goals will be put to one side as Real Madrid seek to embellish their incredible European record with victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday.

Ronaldo, a three-time world player of the year, has never scored a goal at the San Siro but has the chance to match and surpass his own record of scoring 17 Champions League goals in a season.

Yet two years after Real defender Sergio Ramos levelled at the death to inspire a stunning, extra-time comeback and secure a 10th triumph in Lisbon, the Portuguese superstar insists winning an 11th crown is far more important than who hits the net at the San Siro.

“It would be nice to equal or even pass the (scoring) record, but I am not obsessed with that because the most important thing is to win,” Ronaldo said when asked about adding to his 16-goal tally in the competitio­n this season.

Victory would see Real Madrid embellish their reputation as the most successful club in Europe having Cristiano Ronaldo v Juanfran Three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to match his own record of 17 goals in a single Champions League season. Juanfran’s consistent­ly solid defensive displays have seen him seal his place in Spain’s Euro squad and keep Ronaldo quiet in recent Madrid derbies. Sergio Ramos v Antoine Griezmann Ramos has had a poor season by his standards as he has often been bothered by a shoulder injury, but has returned to form in a 10-game unbeaten run. Griezmann is Atletico’s major goal threat. The Frenchman has scored 32 times this season. He also scored the winner the last time these two sides met. Luka Modric v Koke Modric’s ability to control the game with his range of passing has won the inaugural edition, the European Champions Clubs’ Cup, in 1956 when Argentinia­n Hector made him arguably Real’s most consistent performer this season. Koke’s phenomenal work rate has seen him run more per match than any other player in the Champions League this season at well over 12km (7.5 miles) per game. Karim Benzema v Diego Godin Thanks to Godin’s discipline, Atletico have already kept 35 clean sheets this season, including five in their last nine outings against Real. Benzema had his best ever goalscorin­g season in La Liga with 24 in 27 games, but has scored just three times in 22 appearance­s against Atletico. Gareth Bale v Filipe Luis Bale is in the best form of his Real career three years after joining for a world record fee and has been the man for the big occasion. However, Bale’s only goal against Atletico and his glory moment in Lisbon only came after Luis went off injured. The Brazilian is key to Atletic’s success. — Rial struck the winner in a 4-3 victory over fallen French giants Stade Reims in Paris. Atletico’s achievemen­ts CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

> Real Madrid v Atletico

(10:45 PM UAE TIME) may pale in comparison, but the threat from Diego Simeone’s men, who have restricted Real to only one win in their past 10 meetings since the 2014 final, is real.

Before winning two Europa League titles in 2010 and 2012, the ‘Rojiblanco­s’ last continenta­l trophy was the now defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1962. Yet only two years after Lisbon, Simeone’s men are back having stunned Barcelona in the quarterfin­als, and ended the hopes of the Catalan giants’ former coach Pep Guardiola when they ousted his Bayern Munich side on away goals in the semifinals.

Real fans may have the history, but Zinedine Zindane’s men have beaten Atletico only once in 10 meetings since their 4-1 victory in Lisbon two years ago. Unsurprisi­ngly, Simeone is bullish ahead of a clash that Ronaldo says will settle which side rules the roost in the Spanish capital.

“We’ve already played two of the top three teams in the world and now we’re facing the third in the final,” Simeone told UEFA.com. He believes the key to beating Real will be breaking down a solid defence and making sure his players remain vigilant at set-pieces.

“Madrid are different to Barcelona and Bayern; they’re a much more direct team who are a massive threat from set pieces.

“We’ll be ready and will look to play the game on our terms. Fingers crossed, that will be enough for us to do what we want, which is to win.” Whoever wins, says Ronaldo, will earn the local bragging rights: “We will see who is the best. I am positive. I think Real are better than Atletico, but we have to show it on the pitch.” But Real have plenty of reason to be wary. Two years ago, Atletico were a whisker away from avenging their European Cup final defeat to Bayern Munich in 1974 (4-0) after Diego Godin gave Simeon’s men a 36th minute opener. — Agencies

Five key final clashes

 ?? Reuters ?? The Champions League trophy ahead of the final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the San Siro in Milan. —
Reuters The Champions League trophy ahead of the final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the San Siro in Milan. —

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