Champ Atleti turns focus to Real
Print Edition
ATLETICO Madrid has little time to celebrate its stunning La Liga triumph and must immediately turn its focus on Saturday’s Champions League final against city rival Real Madrid.
Atletico sealed its first La Liga title in 18 years thanks to a 1-1 draw at Barcelona on Saturday and now has a chance to win a first continental crown and deny its wealthy neighbor a record-extending 10th.
“Without a doubt today we were able to make history,” coach Diego Simeone, who has transformed the club into a genuine contender in Spain and Europe since taking over at the end of 2011, said.
“But we have to play on Saturday and we have to prepare ourselves for Saturday,” added the former Argentina captain, who was in the Atletico team the last time it won La Liga in 1996.
The European showpiece in Lisbon is the first between two teams from the same city in the 59-year history of Europe’s elite club competition.
It will be Real’s 13th appearance in the final and the first since it won its ninth crown in 2002, while Atletico has only made the final once before, losing to Bayern Munich in 1974 after a replay.
“It is an honor to be part of this team and be able to compete with the big clubs,” captain Gabi told Spanish TV. “Now of course we will celebrate and then from Monday we will focus on the Champions League.”
Saturday’s La Liga showdown at the Nou Camp, when Atletico came from behind to secure the point it needed to clinch the title, did not come without a cost, however.
Top scorer Diego Costa and playmaker Arda Turan, key performers this season, were forced off in the first half with hamstring and hip injuries respectively.
The club did not say how long they might be sidelined but local media said Costa was a serious doubt for the Champions League final, while Arda was expected to be able to play.
Brazil-born Costa, who netted 27 goals in La Liga last term and has eight in this season’s Champions League, is in the preliminary Spain squad for the World Cup finals and is expected to be included in the holder’s final list for the tournament in Brazil starting next month.
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