Madrid savors Euro final success
Print Edition
MADRID is celebrating the success of its two major clubs after Atletico Madrid ensured a historic Champions League final derby against crosstown rival Real Madrid.
Atletico’s 3-1 victory at Chelsea saw it progress to its first European Cup final in 40 years, where record nine-time champion Real awaits after crushing title holder Bayern Munich 5-0 over two legs.
Spanish media hailed the feat yesterday, with sports daily Marca’s headline touting “A Spanish Champion” while El Mundo said “Madrid wins the Champions” League. Even Catalan sports daily El Mundo Deportivo congratulated Atletico by running a “Historical!” headline rather than promoting Barcelona team news.
Atletico is on the verge of a historic double as it closes in on its first Spanish league title in 18 years, while Real is chasing a treble after winning the Copa del Rey against Barcelona.
One year after an all-German Champions League final, Atletico’s victory on Wednesday provided the continent’s top competition with its first ever final between clubs from the same city. “I’m happy that it’s an all-Spanish final,” Atletico playmaker Koke said of the May 24 date in Lisbon. “It’s going to be a special day, a very nice day because all of Madrid will be in Lisbon.”
Real and Atletico have met once before in the competition, in 1959, when Real emerged victorious in the semifinals after winning a replay 2-1 when their two-legged series finished 2-2.
Atletico’s only final appearance in 1974 saw it succumb to Bayern 0-4 in a replay following a 1-1 draw.
While Real beat Atletico en route to this season’s domestic cup trophy, Atletico still enjoyed a breakthrough year against its city neighbor, which is returning to the final for the first time since 2002.
Atletico beat Real in the Copa del Rey final last season for its first win over the Spanish giant since 1999. It followed that up with a league victory at the Santiago Bernabeu followed by a draw at home.
Spanish leader Atletico is six points ahead of Real, which has one game in hand, with three left to play, while Barcelona trails the Spanish leader by four points.
Atletico’s surprising season comes with a squad whose cost is a fraction of Real’s in a league that has been dominated by its neighbor and Barcelona since Valencia was the last club besides the big two to win the championship.
It could clinch its first title since 1996 with a victory against Levante on Sunday if both Real and Barcelona lose their games.
“It’s crazy to think we’re in the Champions League final,” Atletico midfielder Tiago Mendes said. “But this team deserves it after everything it has accomplished.”
Even the city’s cleanup crews should have an easy time coordinating their work following the victor’s celebrations.
Real celebrates its triumphs at Plaza de Cibeles, while Atletico’s fans gather just down the street at Plaza de Neptuno.
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