Lisbon Hosts The Best Of Europe

Blue Sky, Green Turf; White and Red Jerseys

Who will Carry The Day?

Finally, the battle for Europe's top club championship which began last year in the heat of the domestic seasons all over the continent comes to a close in a dramatic and glamorous fashion in the city of Lisbon.

It is dramatic because it involves two Spanish teams from the same city in the Final, it is dramatic because it represents much of Europe with at least different players representing their home countries; Italy, Wales, Germany, Croatia, Belgium, France, Turkey and Portugal. It si glamorous because one of the teams is the richest club in the World and has the two most expensive players in the World; Portuguese forward Christiano Ronaldo and Welsh winger Gareth Bale.

The 2013/2014 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL is one that would make a unique history for whichever team that would win it. This would be the first time for Athletico Madrid to play in the final of the biggest soccer fiesta next to the World Cup; While Athletico will be playing for its first Champions league trophy in its first Final, their Madrid neighbours, Real Madrid is vying for ''La Decima,'' the 10th UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE trophy since the inception of the Elite championship in 1955 and it began with a Madrid dominance for the first 5 years.

This year's final at the stadium of light in Lisbon, Portugal is the first time that the final to be played in the Iberian territory with two Iberian clubs in it. Another interesting part to this Galactic final is the return of home-boy Christiano Ronaldo to his alma mater, the city of Lisbon; the current World footballer of the year began his professional playing career with home club Sporting Lisbon before being spotted by then Manchester United Coach, Sir Alex Ferguson.

This final holds far greater record than just it being the first time two Spanish Clubs will meet in the UCL Final; it is bringing together two teams in an opposite comparison, Real Madrid with the highest trophies ever won by any team in European Championship and Athletico Madrid, a team that is yet to win the Champions League trophy. Real Madrid seem undeterred for a 10th UEFA trophy but they can only achieve that if they get through Athletico Madrid who have been much of goal spoilers this season, winning the Spanish League, knocking out Chelsea in the Champions league Semi final and now standing in between the Galacticos and the Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens trophy.

Can Real Madrid win the 2013/2014 Champions League Final and adorn its trophy cabinet once more with the prestigious trophy? The answer is what millions billions are eagerly waiting, Lisbon will light up the whole of Europe and the rest of the World in anticipation for who will be crowned the new Champions of Europe in one of the most speculative football seasons Europe has ever had.

Injuries have been a scare for these two Madrid sides as they've some of their best players on waiting or recovering row, one of such is Brazill born Spain international Diego Costa who has been prolific all through the season, scoring magnificent and match winning goals for his Athletico Madrid side which helped in winning them the La Liga. Kareem Benzema is still doubtful for the Final while FIFA Player of The Year Christiano Ronaldo has confirmed availability for the final. It is definite Real will be without creative midefielder Xabi Alonso who got booked in the second leg semi-final clash against Bayern Munich; The Spainiard has been one of coach Carlo Ancelotti's most versatile players this season, Illaramendi can however, fill the vacuum left by Alonso's absence.

No doubt tomorrow's final will be won by wits and tactical supremacy: coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone have to get their backroom staff thinking at every minute with watchful attention to cover up any lapse that the opponent should not take advantage of. For the Italian Real Madrid coach, if he wins the 'la decima' for the Galacticos; he will be remembered by every Real Madrid follower and most especially, the club's management. The pressure may not be very much on Argentine coach Diego Simeone, winning the La Liga as the least expected team even with little resources as against the financial backing Ancelotti gets from his rich employers, has more than every way proved his management skills and coaching ability as a young coach.

Saturday's Final showcases the most significant derby after 194 league and Spanish Cup games between these two sides. Real Madrid has won 102 times against Athletico's 46. The Diego Simeone led Atletico recently ended the 14-year unbeaten record of their rivals in all competitions when they won the Royal King Cup (Copa del Rey) in the home of Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last season.