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Atletico Madrid to meet Real Madrid

CCTV.com

05-26-2016 13:06 BJT

Saturday’s Champions League Final will feature ten-time winners Real Madrid taking on neighbors Atletico Madrid in Milan. After losing in both of their previous appearances in the Title Match, Atletico hope the third time is the charm -- and as Dan Williams reports, the club is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

This is a side not lacking for motivation. Atletico Madrid face arch-rivals and neighbors Real Madrid in Milan on Saturday, hoping to claim a first-ever Champions League title. Having lost to Real in the Final two years ago, coach Diego Simeone will aim to feed off that disappointment … as his team looks for revenge.

"We learnt that it's fantastic to play a Champions League Final. That over these three years, we're going to play two. And that is really important for us, and for the club. And obviously looking at the game, we need to feel comfortable, so we can achieve what we're looking to do," said Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid coach.

Under Simeone, Atletico have won five major trophies since his appointment in 2011. That success has been built on a rock-solid defence that has kept 35 clean sheets in 56 games.

"Of course it is not just about defense. But everything starts from the back. The secret is in the team. The secret is in all of the players. Not just in me. Not just in defenders, it is in all of the players, so I think that is the secret because we are all doing everything to keep the clean sheet. But just defense is not enough to win the game," said Jan Oblak, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper.

If nothing else, Atletico Madrid will not fear this match against their more illustrious rivals. Since the last Champions League Final between the two sides in 2014, Atletico have only lost once to Real in ten matches …  a run Atletico are confident of extending in Milan.

"The most important thing for the fans is to beat Real Madrid because we are city rivals. The two biggest clubs in the town. And of course the biggest clubs in Spain and also Europe. I think it means a lot for the fans, for the club, and also for us the players. But I think the most important thing is to win the Champions League," said Stefan Savic, Atletico Madrid defender.

Atletico has for so long lived in the shadow of Real. Victory on Saturday offers the club the chance to take another glittering step forwards in the club's bright new era.

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