Champions League final predictions

Ahead of the Champions League final between Madrid rivals Atletico and Real, we get predictions from our La Liga pundits.

The two Spanish sides face each other at the San Siro in Milan in a repeat of the 2014 final, where Real Madrid won 4-1 after extra time.

This time, however, the pundits believe Atletico are a better all-round side, and will have revenge in their minds after coming within moments of their first Champions League crown two years ago…

Agree or disagree with the predictions? Leave a comment below if viewing on skysports.com, or tweet us @SkyFootball.

Guillem Balague

Real Madrid have had a difficult season, but it can all be overshadowed by one game, and it is the kind of game they know how to play.

In a competition they consider theirs, the psychological angle is won by Real Madrid. But Atletico have been thinking of this game for two years, and they are a stronger team, mentally and physically, than two years ago.

They have rested more this season and have more layers as a team, plus have a better bench.

Football is a state of the mind, as Real’s former general manager Jorge Valdano says, but also a competition to reduce mistakes. Atletico are better prepared to maximise their strengths and minimise errors. 

GUILLEM PREDICTS: Atletico to win

Terry Gibson

All logic seems to point in favour of Atletico. Diego Simeone seems to have had the measure of Real Madrid pretty much since he has been in charge at the Vicente Calderon, apart from when they meet in this competition!

No defeats in the last six meetings in La Liga and three consecutive wins at the Bernabeu statistically back it up.

However, it is Real who have had the better of Atletico when it comes to the Champions League.

It was only last season that Real were victorious in the quarter-final, and of course you don’t have to go much further back to remember the other time; the Champions League final in 2014.

Both teams perversely will take belief from their recent scorelines against each other in both competitions and it will be fascinating to see how it all takes shape from a psychological perspective.

Tactically I expect a cagey affair from the off, but maybe Atletico can surprise by adopting the high pressing game for a quick burst at the start of proceedings.

I believe Zinedine Zidane will adopt a pragmatic approach through fear of conceding the …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com