Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is one win away from achieving coaching greatness, when his Atletico Madrid team attempts to win the Champions League title for the first time in two attempts against arch city rival Real Madrid at the San Siro on Sunday morning.

Having guided his Los Colchoneros side past two of Europe’s strongest teams – Barcelona and Bayern Munich – to reach the final, Simeone’s men face a Los Blancos team which still casts a large shadow over its less illustrious neighbour, particularly at this level, despite Atletico having the better of Real in domestic competitions in recent seasons.

Real Madrid has been an obstacle for Atletico in the Champions League, proving its nemesis in the last two European campaigns. Last season Real knocked Atletico out at the quarterfinal stage, while in 2014 in the final in Lisbon, Simeone’s side had one hand on the trophy, leading 1-nil, only to concede in the 93rd minute to a Sergio Ramos header and then lose 4-1 in extra time.

Since that final Atletico has undergone a number of player changes; in particular its forward set up now includes a rejuvenated Fernando Torres and Frenchman Griezmann. But Simeone remains at the helm in contrast to Real, which has retained a stable squad of players, many of whom played in that final in Lisbon, but changed coaches three times since Ancelotti won the title in Lisbon. Raphael Benitez has come and gone, replaced just six months ago by first-time senior coach Zinedine Zidane.

A third loss against Real in this Sunday’s final would no doubt be a bitter pill for Simeone, the players and the Atletico fans to swallow. Winning, on the other hand, would serve to complete Simeone’s ascension into the top rank of football coaches, because he more than any person has shaped this Atletico team.

A win to Real would give Zidane the rare honour of winning a European Champions League trophy as his first piece of silverware as a coach. It would be a remarkable achievement, but it would still leave one with the impression that the team virtually coaches itself.
The sides have met once in the league since Zidane’s appointment, and Atletico triumphed 1-nil at the Bernabau on that occasion.
key match-ups which could determine the outcome include:

Pepe v Griezmann

Atletico’s talented French striker Antoine Griezmann’s goal proved decisive when these two teams last met in the league this season, and how well Real defenders, particularly right back Carvajal and centre back Pepe, can shut the gate on Griezmann could go a long way in determining the outcome of the San Siro showdown.

Gareth Bale v Filipe Luis

A goal scorer in the Lisbon final two years ago, Bale looks to be back to his goal scoring best for Real after injury interrupted his season. He comes up against Atletico’s Brazilian left back Luis, who although he won’t be able to match Bale’s speed, is an underrated and skilful defender who with support from team mates will be trying to deny Bale the space he prefers.

Real’s three-man midfield v Atletico’s midfield quartet

Since Atletico’s recent league win exposed Real’s defensive deficiency in the middle of the park, coach Zidane has opted to play Casemiro in the holding midfield role, freeing up Modric and Kroos for the build-up play. Atletico’s hard-working midfield quartet will look to not only link effectively with the frontmen but also choke the supply to Real’s BBC frontline.

Navas v Oblak

Both sides have excellent keepers, with Oblak perhaps just shading Navas as La Liga’s finest keeper this season.
Expect a cagey contest between two teams that know each other well. Real can be expected to sit back and hit with power and pace on the break. Atletico will work very hard with and without the ball, to try and break down the Real defensive structure and deny the dangerous Real forwards space.

Source: ESPN FC.com.au