Champions League: Real Madrid are underdogs, according to Sergio Ramos
By Mike Dyce
For the second year in a row, the Champions League final will contain two teams from the same country and league. To make things even more interesting, both teams are from the same city, the Spanish capital of Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Real Madrid is seeking their 10th Champions League final win, while Atletico Madrid are looking for their first Champions League final win. That has many casting Atletico Madrid as the under dogs, but Real defender Sergio Ramos says his team are the real under dogs.
“We are up against a great team in Atletico Madrid who, from my point of view, are the favourites,” Ramos said on Tuesday, via Sky Sports.
“They are the deserved current league champions and deserve credit for reaching the Champions League final.
“But that doesn’t mean they are going to be the champions of the Champions League.”
There might be some truth to what he is saying. Atletico Madrid have won four of their five finals against Real Madrid, all of which came in the domestic cup the Copa del Rey. There are also the mounting injuries for some of Real Madrid’s biggest stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all sat out of training on Tuesday.
“It was just a bit of recovery [work]. I did not play for two games prior to the weekend but I feel good,” Bale said, via the Guardian.
Ronaldo was equally optimistic saying he would not miss the final.
“I feel good but still not 100%. I hope to be ready for Saturday,” Ronaldo told Real Madrid TV.
“Playing during the week and weekends means it is normal that the body has a negative response. Unfortunately I have had a few problems but if you look around Europe the same thing is happening and players are getting injured.
“Nobody wants to miss a final, a final we have been aiming for and it is obviously important. If the body can’t do it then it is not the end of the world but I will be there, I am confident.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said that both will be in the finals and said that Pepe and Benzema are the only concerns for his squad.
“They are the only two players over whom we have doubts.
“I am not optimistic or pessimistic. Right now they wouldn’t be able to play but we are not taking the decision now. If Pepe isn’t ready then Varane would take his place.”