Two years on from its defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League final, Atletico Madrid is back on the same stage against the same rival — wiser and determined not to be haunted by the memories of Lisbon. Sergio Ramos' 93rd-minute equalizing header in 2014 snatched a maiden European Cup from its grasp, and Atletico was overpowered 4-1 in extra time. The fatigue from a grueling season had finally caught up with it. Seven days before that final, Atletico had played an energy-sapping 1-1 draw with Barcelona to clinch its first La Liga title in 18 years, and celebrations continued into the next week. Real had had an extra week to prepare. "When they equalized, we knew it was going to be really difficult for us because of our physical state and we were going to struggle," Gabi, the Atletico captain, said recently. "Real were the better team in extra time." Atletico's top scorer, Diego Costa, was forced off by a hamstring problem after nine minutes, forcing head coach Diego Simeone into an early substitution. Key midfielder Arda Turan never recoverd in time from injury to even start. Atletico's ailing physical state then contrasts with their condition approaching Saturday's final. Simeone can call on a full squad. Real has mostly avoided injuries, too, missing only defender Raphael Varane. But Atletico have had an extra week to rest players after dropping out of the title race when it lost at Levante in its penultimate game. "We're in better shape, we're better prepared and many of us know what it's like to play in a Champions League final," said Gabi, one of six members of the squad for the final who remain at the club. "You can't erase losing a Champions League final," Gabi said. "But we have a great opportunity to play another one and make history for this club." Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo says he will be "100 percent" in final as he attempts to fire Real to a record-extending 11th European Cup and further torment its city rival. The prolific Portuguese set alarm bells ringing Tuesday when he ended training prematurely with a knock but was fit to train again the following day. Although Ronaldo scored the final goal in Real's 4-1 extra-time win over Atletico in the 2014 final in Lisbon, he has admitted he was far from at his best due to a hamstring problem and is determined to put in a better performance at Milan's San Siro Saturday. "Cristiano always appears in the games that matter. I'll be at 100 per cent. On Saturday, I'll be in better form than I was in Lisbon," Ronaldo told Spanish television channel La Sexta. "In Lisbon, my hamstring was hurting me. It was pretty bad. It was terrible because you know that in certain moments you could give more but you can't because your body doesn't respond." Ronaldo has scored — and been on the winning side — in both the Champions League finals he has played in, having also won in 2008 with Manchester United. He is top scorer in this season's tournament with 16 goals and is one strike away from equalling the record tally of 17 he set in 2013/14. Real's all-time top scorer also gave the club a lift before the final by declaring he wants to stay at Real for the long term. "Real Madrid would be making a smart decision if they offered me a new contract," he added. Atletico defender Diego Godin told Uefa.com: "Our big secret is the effort the team puts in. The way the whole team works to help the defense is incredible."
