Which Madrid should you back in CL final: Real or Atletico?

Are you a Real Madrid supporter or hater? Are you an Atletico Madrid supporter or hater? Did either of the these teams beat your favourite team on the road to the Champions League final?

If the answer to the above questions is NO, then you’re in a fix: which team do you support on Saturday night — the Los Meringues drenched in trophies and money, or the plucky underdogs who have a good history but nowhere as trophy-laden as their rivals? The star-studded attack of Real or the gritty unit that is Atletico?

We break down the teams in way which will hopefully help you decide which one to support.

HISTORY

As Real Madrid chase their tenth Champions League title, Atletico Madrid celebrated their tenth La Liga crown a week back — they also have 10 Copa del Reys, an Intercontinental cup, a Cup Winners’ Cup, two Europa League titles and two European Super Cups. It’s not a bad record for a team which plays in a league dominated by two big teams. But it’s nowhere near Real’s collection.

Real have 32 league titles and 18 Copa del Reys to their name. They’ve also won two UEFA Cups, one European Super Cup, three Intercontinental cups and of course — nine European Cups/Champions League, the tenth of which has eluded them since 2002.

MONEY

Atletico’s league-winning team has a combined cost of just £30 million. Yes, that’s correct, £30 million. Six of the players who beat Chelsea on the road to the final have cost Atletico no money — Thibaut Courtois, Adrian, Miranda, Mario Suarez, Tiago and the brilliant Koke have come through the ranks or have joined on free.

As for Real Madrid, you can only imagine — £80 million for Cristiano Ronaldo, £85 for Gareth Bale, a combined £60 million for Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric… the numbers are mind-boggling.

ROAD TO FINAL

Real Madrid had Galatasaray, Juventus and Copenhagen in the group stage and went through it unbeaten. They say off Schalke 9-2 on aggregate in the last 16, Dortmund 3-2 in the quarters and Bayern Munich 5-0 in the semis.

Atletico had Zenit, Porto and Vienna in their group and came through unscathed. They beat AC Milan 5-0 in the last 16, Barcelona 2-1 in the quarters and Chelsea 3-1 in the semis.

All the above scores are aggregate scores.

PLAYING STYLE

Both Real and Atletico are counter-attacking teams which break quickly and have incisive finishers at the top. The difference is not in the way they play, but in the mentality. Real Madrid like to get on top of the game from the off and take the onus — while Atletico are fearless in their approach, however cautious.

What has stood out this season is their fighting spirit, their ability to come back and their ‘one for all, all for one’ team ethos. Real seem to lose focus if they get bogged down — but some of their football has been beautiful courtesy of the attacking talent they boast of. Atletico may not play attractive football, but when they get going, they go forward with real intent — their goals are well-made team goals and not just made of individual brilliance.

LEGACY

What happens if Real Madrid win? Then this team and Carlo Ancelotti end up as legends in football folklore — the team that won the la decima. It will take Madrid’s brand value higher, get them more money next year in TV rights and more power to buy the best from the rest. Ronaldo will sob on the pitch — he will be a Real and a Manchester United legend in one.

What happens if Atletico win? Diego Simeone’s side, which has been a selling team — Torres, Aguero etc — will finally get some clout in Europe. They’ll not only have broken the Spanish duopoly, but also Europe. Their fans will gloat for the rest of their lives, saying we stopped Real from winning la decima’. Also, more sponsors will pour in next year and Atletico could emerge as a superpower if they can maintain their status and team.

Time to decide: Still a neutral? We’ve given you enough reason to decide. It’s tough – but that’ what football is about – tough choices. Let us know your decision in the comments section below.

Follow the writer on Twitter @TheFalseNo9