REAL MADRID - ATLÉTICO MADRID
Atlético have clocked up 3,586 more minutes than Real
Only Cristiano Ronaldo has hit, and gone beyond, the 4,000-minute mark in the Real Madrid squad.
The Atlético Madrid squad arrive in Milan with 53,916 minutes of football behind them, while city neighbours Real Madrid have played 3,586 minutes fewer, a total of 50,330. The expected rojiblanco first eleven will go into the Champions League final with 4,948 more minutes under their belts (Simeone’s starting line-up has notched up 38,227 minutes, compared with the 33,279 by Zidane’s side). Four players in the Atlético team have hit and gone beyond the 4,000-minute mark in official games, with only Cristiano Ronaldo doing the same for Real Madrid.
Atlético’s final training session on Friday was notable for both the presence of ex-rojiblanco Raúl García, who publicly expressed his support for his former club, and a helicopter flying over the San Siro, to the annoyance of the Atlético players and staff. It was reported that the noise overhead meant the players could barely hear the instructions given out by ‘El Profe’ Ortega, and Cholo Simeone subsequently complained to a UEFA official about the disturbance. On the pitch, Giménez lined up alongside Godín once more, although it still remains to be seen whether this will be Atlético’s definitive defensive pairing.
Real Madrid’s final session, meanwhile, was a routine affair. The good news for Los Blancos was Cristiano being passed fit for the final. Before the session Zidane brought all the players together as he told them “keep your concentration and give it everything.” Glory awaits for one half of the Spanish capital.
