MILAN, Sporting Alert – As expected, star forward Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Real Madrid against city rivals Atletico Madrid in today’s Champions League final in Milan.
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Ronaldo had a bit of discomfort during the build up for the contest, and was forced to leave a few practice sessions with a slight niggle on his left thigh.
However, as promised by head coach Zinedine Zidane, the Portugal international is fit to start and will join Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in leading the Real Madrid attack.
Meanwhile, in defense, Dani Carvajal gets the starting nod ahead of Danilo at right-back, and will join Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo in the backline.
completing the starting lineup are Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos who will operate in midfield.
Meanwhile, Fernando Torres, who admits that this will be the game of his life, leads the attacking line for Atletico Madrid, with Antoine Griezmann, a man bang on form acting as one of his main supporters.
Torres has been a major improvement since leaving Chelsea and rejoining Atletico under Diego Simeone and he could be a very dangerous player for the underdogs.
Griezmann was on target when Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the Spanish La Liga and he’s hoping for something similar this weekend.
Also named in the starting lineup for Atletico are Saul Niguez, who is a big target for several top clubs in Europe, Koke, Gabriel Fernandez, Diego Godin, Augusto Fernandez, Stefan Savic, Juanfran and Filipe Luis.
The Spanish rivals met in the Champions League final in 2014 and Real Madrid came away champions.
Atletico will be making its third appearance in the Champions League/European Cup final, while Real Madrid have reached the Champions League/European Cup final for the 14th time.
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid: Navas, Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo. Subs: Casilla, Nacho, Rodriguez, Lucas, Jese, Isco, Danilo
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Filipe Luis, Saul, Gabi, Fernandez, Koke, Griezmann, Fernando Torres. Subs: Moya, Tiago, Correa, Lucas, Carrasco, Thomas, Gimenez
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)
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