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Ancelotti will be judged on Champions League final, says Amavisca
May 23, 2014 9:31:00 AM
The 1998 Champions League winner has highlighted the importance of European glory for the Santiago Bernabeu side
EXCLUSIVE
By Alberto Pinero
Former Real Madrid winger Emilio Amavisca believes Carlo Ancelotti's future at the club could depend on the result of Saturday evening's Champions League final against Atletico Madrid.
Ancelotti guided Madrid to Copa del Rey glory and third place in La Liga this term, but Amavisca has stressed that European club football's elite competition is what really matters for the Santiago Bernabeu side.
"Ancelotti? It all depends on Saturday's final. If Madrid beat Atletico, everybody will say it's been a brilliant season and Ancelotti has done an incredible job," Amavisca told Goal.
"However, if Madrid don't win the final, people will say that he failed to get the best out of the team. It all depends on the outcome of the final.
"Real Madrid live for the Champions League. La Liga is the club's bread and butter, but the Champions League is something special. You must have won the Champions League if you want to be part of Madrid's history.
"The current squad is a great team, but they have to win Saturday's game in order to be remembered. They have everything in their own hands."
Madrid last won the Champions League in 2001-02 when they beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.
Lisbon will put on a fantastic final for Madrid & Atletico, says Paulo Sousa
By Ben Hayward
May 23, 2014 8:00:00 AM
The former Portugal midfielder is proud his nation have the opportunity to showcase their ability to host the biggest game in the European club calendar
Paulo Sousa believes Lisbon will put on a "fantastic final" for Real Madrid and Atletico in Saturday's Champions League showpiece.
Sousa began his career at Benfica, but never played in the new Estadio Da Luz, which was rebuilt for Euro 2004.
"I was involved as a broadcaster in Euro 2004 in some games at Benfica’s stadium and also Portugal won the Under-20 World Cup there," he said. "A full stadium is always amazing but the atmosphere is something really special.
"Being Portuguese, it’s another recognition of everything that we can do, the way we can receive people, the stadiums we have.
"Since Euro 2004 all the stadiums that were built are really good. Benfica is a club with lots of tradition in the Uefa Champions League, with also the imagery of Eusebio and the environment around Portugal, the love we have for football, the passion.
"The city and the stadium will produce a fantastic final."
Sousa says Saturday's showpiece represents a good opportunity to pay tribute to Eusebio, after the Portuguese legend passed away earlier this year.
"He was one of the best players of all time, he represents lots of things: sacrifice, character, personality, quality and also a way to be something really special, like he was on a daily basis. He taught me values in my life, values we need to have to achieve important things, because life gives us opportunities when you have these values.
"So I think it will be a nice thing also so we can make a tribute. I’m sure Uefa will prepare something really, really special.
"Unfortunately we won’t have him there live, but he will be alive forever."
Another notable Portuguese, Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, will be present at Saturday's match and Sousa says he has been influenced by the success of his compatriot.
"He’s someone that has influenced not only me, but everybody," the Maccabi Tel Aviv boss said. "For that, I’m glad he’s Portuguese, I’m glad he’s a winner, and I’m glad for him.
"From him and from other coaches I’ve worked with as a football player, I take the best I can from them and he has a lot of great things to use and to help me get success."
Underdogs Atletico have golden opportunity to claim debut Euro crown against rich neighbours who may falter under greater expectations
PUBLISHED : Friday, 23 May, 2014, 10:55pm
UPDATED : Friday, 23 May, 2014, 11:15pm
Iain Rogers in Lisbon
A man gives equal weighting to Real and Atletico Madrid scarves outside a souvenir shop in the centre of the city. Photo: Reuters
Real Madrid will be favourites in the Champions League final with marksman Cristiano Ronaldo looking to add to his tally of 16 goals in the competition. Photo: AFP
Atletico's Diego Costa will present a real danger to Real Madrid in the Champions League final if he is fully fit. Photo: Reuters
Atletico Madrid have a chance in Saturday night's Champions League final not only to claim their debut European crown, but to deny their loathed and vastly wealthier neighbours Real Madrid a record-extending 10th.
Atletico have outperformed this season in securing a remarkable La Liga triumph, shattering the domestic dominance of Real and Barcelona and becoming the first team other than the big two to win the Spanish title since Valencia in 2004.
They are also back competing with the continent's elite after a lengthy absence and the first showpiece between teams from the same city in the 59-year history of the European Cup is their second final after they lost out to Bayern Munich in 1974.
Real, the world's richest club by income, have splashed more than €600 million (HK$6.3 billion) on players over the past five years and are appearing in their 13th final, but the first since their last success in 2002.
Their vast outlay is proof of Real president Florentino Perez's obsession with winning what is known in Spain as "la decima" (the 10th).
After Real's La Liga campaign faltered in the final weeks of the campaign, failure in Lisbon would be a massive blow to the construction magnate's prestige.
"From the first day a player arrives at the club, he is already saying that he has come to win the 'decima'," former Real forward Predrag Mijatovic said this week.
"There is too much pressure being put on the players," added the Montenegrin, who scored the winner in Real's 1-0 Champions League final triumph against Juventus in 1998.
"The best way to take the sting out of this obsession is winning and then we won't be talking about the 10th anymore."
Atletico, known as "the mattress makers" after their red and white-striped shirts, and Real, who play in white and are nicknamed "the Meringues", have met only once before in continental competition, in the European Cup semi-finals in 1958-59.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be sweating on the fitness of his leading goalscorer Diego Costa. Photo: EPA
Real went through to what was their fourth consecutive final after winning a replay in Zaragoza when Ferenc Puskas scored the winner in a 2-1 success.
The city neighbours have met four times this season. In La Liga, Atletico won 1-0 at Real's Bernabeu stadium and they drew 2-2 at the Calderon in the return, while in the two-legged King's Cup semi-finals Atletico were on the end of a 5-0 aggregate drubbing.
Those encounters are unlikely to have much impact on the Champions League final, with Atletico unbeaten in Europe this term and on a high after wrapping up their La Liga title last Saturday and Real under enormous pressure to avoid what would be a humiliating reverse.
Cristiano Ronaldo, top scorer in this season's competition with a record 16 goals, believes the expectation weighing on him and his teammates can be used to their advantage.
"Since the first day we came here, we've felt that positive pressure to win the Champions League," the Fifa Ballon d'Or winner said.
"Real Madrid have wanted it for a long time," added the Portugal captain, a European champion with Manchester United in 2008. "It is a moment that the whole Madrid family are dreaming about - the 'decima'."
Atletico, meanwhile, are sweating on the fitness of top scorer Diego Costa, who has eight Champions League goals this term.
The Brazil-born forward, a Spain international, has been suffering with a series of muscle problems and limped out of Saturday's title decider at Barcelona along with Turkey playmaker Arda Turan.
"We will wait to see how the Diego Costa and Arda Turan injury situation evolves by the end of week," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. "We will seek alternatives if they do not recover in time."
If Costa and Arda are sidelined, forward Adrian, who scored the opening goal at Chelsea in the semi-final second leg, and attacking midfielder Raul Garcia, are likely to come in as their replacements.
Simeone's Real counterpart Carlo Ancelotti also has injury concerns, with forward Karim Benzema and centre back Pepe in a race to get fit. Neither player trained yesterday.
"We will make a decision right at the end," said Ancelotti in mid-week, as he looked ahead to the possibility of becoming only the second man after Liverpool's Bob Paisley to win the European title three times as a coach.
Raphael Varane would replace Pepe if necessary, the Italian said, while Alvaro Morata could come in as a straight swap for Benzema at centre forward.
Real's chances were dealt a blow in the semi-final against holders Bayern when midfielder Xabi Alonso earned a booking that means he is suspended for the final.
They are likely to miss the control he gives the team and possible replacement Asier Illarramendi - who has failed to impress since joining from Real Sociedad - may be out of his depth against Atletico's experienced midfield.
Atletico have held one celebration at the Neptune fountain in central Madrid this season, partying with their delirious fans after winning La Liga for the first time in 18 years, and will be hoping to return with the European Cup.
Should they fall short, Real and their fans will flock to the nearby Cibeles fountain having finally claimed the elusive "decima" after more than a decade of disappointment.
Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid AET: Ronaldo and Bale land La Decima in thrilling final comeback
Sergio Ramos scored in the dying minutes to take the game to extra-time after Diego Godin's first-half header before the world's most expensive players helped seal the win
Real Madrid secured an historic 10th European title as they came from behind to secure a thrilling 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in Lisbon on Saturday.
Diego Godin capitalised on a dreadful error from Iker Casillas to head home shortly before the end of the first half, but Ramos powered home from a corner in the dying minutes of normal time to keep Madrid's Decima dream alive.
With less than 10 minutes remaining in additional time, Bale headed into the top corner after Angel Di Maria's shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois before Marcelo buried a late left-footed strike and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty to seal Madrid's first Champions League trophy since 2002.
Victory means Ancelotti has now won Europe's top prize as coach on three occasions, making him the most successful in the modern tournament's history, while Atletico were left to rue another late goal in European football's showpiece. The club's only other final appearance, in 1974, saw Bayern Munich force a replay – which they won 4-0 - with a 120th-minute goal.
Much of the pre-match talk surrounded the fitness of stars Ronaldo and Diego Costa, but both started, although Arda Turan was not so lucky and missed out with a knee problem.
Simeone's experiment to start Costa – who travelled to Serbia for specialist treatment on a niggling hamstring injury in the build-up – quickly backfired, though, as the striker limped off in the ninth minute and was replaced by Adrian Lopez.
Chances were few and far between in a cagey first 30 minutes before a sloppy Tiago error saw the contest come to life, with the midfielder conceding possession in his own half, only for Bale, after a menacing run, to shoot wide.
And Bale's missed chance proved costly in the 36th minute as Godin gave Atletico the lead against the run of play.
Real failed to clear a corner and Juanfran's header back into the box caught them napping, meaning goalkeeper Casillas had to come storming off his line.
He was too late to win the ball, though, and agonisingly saw Godin beat Sami Khedira and put a looping header over him and, eventually, over the line.
Thibaut Courtois had to be alert to tip over a deflected Ronaldo free kick in the 54th minute and the Real talisman spurned two more opportunities in the next 60 seconds, firing a snapshot wide before producing a wayward header.
Ancelotti's men kept pressing as Isco missed the target with a long-range effort and although Atletico were still a threat on the counterattack, they were forced back as Real ramped up the pressure in the last 20 minutes.
First, Bale lashed wide before Ronaldo fired over with a scissor-kick and the chances kept coming as another storming run from the former ended with an errant shot.
Desperate blocks were the order of the day as far as Atletico were concerned, but Real's perseverance eventually paid off as Ramos superbly planted a header in the bottom-left corner from Luka Modric's corner to force extra time.
And the added half-hour proved crucial as Real hit the lead with 10 minutes remaining through Bale, who raced to the far post after the brilliant Di Maria's shot was partially saved to head in.
Marcelo then made his mark before Ronaldo, who had already claimed the record for the most strikes in a Champions League season, sealed victory with his 17th goal of the campaign.
Sealed with a kiss: Ramos rescues Casillas and delivers La Decima
May 24, 2014 10:50:00 PM
The Blancos finally clinched a 10th European title after coming so close to handing their rivals a first continental crown
COMMENT
By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent
With three minutes to play, they were done for. Half an hour later, they’d scored four. The Decima dream is finally a reality for Real Madrid.
Atletico Madrid looked set to write one final fantastic chapter in an amazing story by winning the Champions League final in Lisbon, but their city rivals dug as deep as they have in a long, long time to earn a flattering but fantastic 4-1 victory.
Diego Simeone’s men had gained the lead thanks to a moment of madness from Iker Casillas. The Madrid captain made the irrational decision to race out into no-man’s land as Diego Godin tussled with Sami Khedira after Juanfran returned Raphael Varane’s clearance.
But as the ball looped over the prone Spain goalkeeper and beyond the goal-line, the look on Casillas’ face said it all. He knew he had handed Atleti a potentially crucial lead.
Just as they have set up a compact unit all season, the Rojiblancos saw off most Madrid attacks thereafter. At first, Carlo Ancelotti’s men were one-dimensional and lacking in artistry. On came Isco and Marcelo to spice things up, but they still needed a little something extra.
As time ran down, it appeared as though Real had come to terms with the fact that they would go down as the side which failed to bring home La Decima and handed their neighbours a first continental title in one swift motion. But they had one final ace up their sleeves.
In the end, it was the least likely of scenarios which threw Casillas and Madrid a lifeline. For once, Atleti fell asleep from a set-piece as Luka Modric swung in a corner in the third minute of injury time and Sergio Ramos made them pay, slamming home a powerful header which left Thibaut Courtois with no chance.
When the full-time whistle sounded, Casillas made a beeline for Sergio Ramos. He hugged and kissed his centre-back, thanking him for pulling his skipper out of a tight spot.
Thereafter, the Blancos played like a team re-energised, a group who finally believed that this was their night. While a tired Atleti foundered, Madrid rose to the moment.
First, Gareth Bale – who had wasted three great opportunities in normal time – finally found the net, heading home a more difficult chance after a magnificent run from the excellent Angel di Maria.
Marcelo grabbed another as the Atletico defence went missing, and Cristiano Ronaldo finished off the night with a goal from the penalty spot after Godin made a rash challenge on the Portuguese star.
Winning has come at a cost. It has taken them 12 years, more than a billion euros and two world-record signings to get back on the top step of the podium. But nobody connected to Real Madrid will say that it has not been worth the wait as they finally crawl into bed in the early hours of Sunday morning.
They wanted to do it at the Bernabeu in 2010, but fell a long way short of the mark. The three years that followed brought three semi-final failures. This year felt a little bit different. They beat the best to get to the final, pummelling Bayern Munich in the last four, and while they weren’t at 100 per cent on Saturday, they were worthy of their moment of glory.
It could have been so different, and Iker Casillas will be buying Sergio Ramos a few beers of thanks, but he’ll have to join the queue. Half of Madrid will want to do exactly the same.
"The goal is not for me, it is for the people of Madrid," the defender told reporters after the match. "We've been waiting for this moment for years."
They will be drinking to ‘La Decima’ for some time to come. History is theirs.
Costa withdrawn injured from Champions League final
May 24, 2014 7:55:00 PM
The striker, a surprise name in Atletico's XI considering his recent fitness woes, did not last 10 minutes against Real Madrid before being brought off
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa lasted just nine minutes of the Champions League final before being withdrawn due to injury.
The Spain international has been struggling with a hamstring problem recently and was also substituted off very early into Atletico's final game of the Liga season at Barcelona.
He was a major doubt to feature in Lisbon against Real Madrid but, after it emerged that he was undergoing horse placenta treatment in a boost to return to fitness, he was surprisingly named in Diego Simeone's starting XI for Saturday's final.
However, Adrian was brought on for the for the Brazilian-born attacker when it was clear that Costa could no longer play on, with less than 10 minutes played at Estadio da Luz.
Costa has scored 36 goals this season for Simeone's men, with eight strikes in eight appearances in the Champions League.
The 25-year-old's goals played a large part in their Liga triumph in 2013-14, topping rivals Real and Barcelona, and he is widely tipped to make a mega-money move to Chelsea this summer following his exceptional form.
Diego Costa gamble costs Simeone as Atletico suffer heartbreak
May 24, 2014 11:10:00 PM
The Argentine ultimately paid the price for wasting a substitution on a clearly unfit player as his side wilted badly in extra time in Lisbon
COMMENT
By Mark Doyle
In the run-up to Saturday’s Champions League final, Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago compared coach Diego Simeone to God. “Everything he says comes true,” the midfielder enthused. Unfortunately, unlike the Almighty, the Argentine is not infallible. As Saturday’s Champions League so painfully proved.
One could understand why Simeone decided to take a risk on Diego Costa in Lisbon. The Brazil-born Spain international is Atletico’s top scorer, their principal attacking threat. Therefore, Simeone was desperate for Costa to start; so desperate that the striker was sent to Belgrade this week to undergo a revolutionary treatment involving the use of horse placenta. When the forward’s name appeared on the Atletico teamsheet for the final in Lisbon, it appeared as if Simeone had worked another miracle. However, the selection was a gamble that backfired badly.
The thinking must have been that it would be better to risk Costa from the start because if the player broke down Atletico would at least have a player to replace him. If, on the other hand, Costa was thrown on in the closing stages as Atletico’s final throw of the dice, they would be left with 10 men if the striker’s hamstring tensed up once again.
However, in the end, Costa’s inclusion from the off proved a costly error of judgement in what looked like being another otherwise flawless Simeone strategy. The 25-year-old lasted just eight minutes and 50 seconds before being forced off.
Even then, it looked as if Atletico would cope without their talisman – just as they had done in winning La Liga at Barcelona last weekend.
The Rojiblancos took the lead through Diego Godin nine minutes before the break and never really looked like relinquishing their lead. They restricted Madrid, one of the most expensively assembled sides in history, to a handful of openings, while the only clear goalscoring opportunity they afforded their rivals came courtesy of a misplaced pass from Tiago.
Even Atletico's foul play was intelligent, with both Raul Garcia and Miranda cynically – but sensibly – picking up yellow cards for taking down Angel di Maria while the winger was bearing down on goal.
Ultimately, they were just 90 seconds away from being crowned champions of Europe for the first time - just seven days after becoming champions of Spain for the first time since 1996. However, once Sergio Ramos headed home an equaliser with just 90 seconds of normal time remaining there was only ever going to be one winner.
By that stage, Atletico had already made all of their substitutes. A small squad assembled at a cost of just €79.05 million (Madrid’s, to put things in perspective, is worth €521.9m) had nothing left to give. Juanfran was out on his feet and it was no surprise that his tired legs were exposed for the second and third goals. Indeed, the difference between the two sides was perfectly illustrated by the way in which one of Madrid’s subs, Marcelo, strolled past Atletico’s statuesque midfield to fire home the goal that killed the game.
Nothing should take away from what Atletico have achieved this season. That was why the collapse which so many have been predicting was so difficult to watch when it finally arrived, particularly as Simeone had contributed so directly to their downfall.
“I want to thank the mothers of my players for giving birth to players with such big balls,” the Argentine had stated after the semi-final success over Chelsea. This is a coach who champions bravery above all other virtues.
However, there is, as they say, a fine line between bravery and stupidity. And, unfortunately, he crossed it by selecting a clearly unfit Costa on Saturday night. He clearly knew it too. He was visibly upset by something that Raphael Varane had done in the dying seconds but Simeone must have been more upset with himself for what he had done when naming his starting line-up.
Los Blancos finally ended their wait for La Decima thanks to goals from Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid have been crowned champions of Europe for a 10th time courtesy of a 4-1 win over city rivals Atletico on Saturday night.
Los Blancos looked set to succumb to Diego Godin's first-half header but Sergio Ramos levelled the game with just over 90 seocnds of normal time remaining.
Madrid then realised their Decima dream thanks to extra-time goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Spanish side won the first five editions of the European Cup, beating Stade de Reims in the inaugural final at the Parc des Princes in Paris in 1956.
However, a legendary line-up containing Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas and Francisco Gento are best remembered for their era-defining 7-3 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt in Glasgow's Hampden Park in 1960.
Madrid lost two of the next four finals, to Benfica and Inter, but they racked up their sixth success in 1966 courtesy of a 2-1 win over Partizan in Brussels.
However, Los Blancos would not win another European title before the tournament became the Champions League, losing 1-0 by Liverpool in Paris in 1981.
However, the Santiago Bernabeu side brought an end to 32 years of disappointment when they upset Juventus 1-0 in Amsterdam in 1998.
Madrid triumphed again in 2000, beating Valencia 3-0 in the last all-Spanish final, and their eighth title followwed two years later when they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 thanks to sensational strike from Zinedine Zidane.
Los Blancos had not made the final since but they finally clinched 'La Decima' by overcoming Atletico in Lisbon.
The Atletico boss failed to control his anger at what he perceived was a lack of respect from Raphael Varane towards the end of the Champions League final
Atletico Madrid's Champions League dreams ended in disappointment and disgrace on Saturday with coach Diego Simeone charging on to the pitch towards the end of their 4-1 defeat.
His side's hopes of landing the trophy for the first time were dashed in the cruellest of circumstances as they led 1-0 until deep into injury time when Sergio Ramos headed home a dramatic equaliser.
Atletico's exertions in winning the Liga title last weekend then caught up with them as Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo, from the penalty spot, all scored in extra-time as Real Madrid finally got their hands on La Decima.
In the aftermath of Ronaldo's penalty, Varane kicked the ball towards the Atletico dug-out, prompting the Argentine to storm the field in an attempt to confront the young Frenchman.
Simeone's discontent had been simmering for some time although previously his anger had been reserved for referee Bjorn Kuipers for the amount of time he had allowed at the end of the 90 minutes.
Players from both sides, as well as Atletico staff members, had to hold Simeone back before he was ultimately ushered back to the technical area.
Atletico skipper Gabi refused to criticise his boss, although he did admit: "You have to know how to win and he is still young. He did an ugly gesture."
Simeone's anger, meanwhile, had cooled by the time he addressed the media: "Hopefully this will provide Varane with an experience and he will learn. He's a great player with a great future."
The coach was devastated that his Atletico were defeated in extra-time by Real Madrid, while he avoided criticising the referee or Raphael Varane despite a late clash
Diego Simeone stressed he was "bitter, but not sad" after Atletico Madrid were defeated 4-1 in the Champions League final by Real Madrid on Saturday.
The coach was fuming on the sidelines over the five added minutes in the second half in which Sergio Ramos scored his dramatic equaliser after Diego Godin's opener to send the match into extra-time.
Having remonstrated with the referee after 105 minutes had been played, Simeone then stormed on to the pitch after becoming riled by Madrid defender Raphael Varane, who seemed to provoke the Atletico bench by kicking a ball into the dugout following Cristiano Ronaldo's late penalty.
"I don't feel sad," the Argentine told reporters after the match. "It's bitterness that I feel for not reaching my goal. Now the calmness is stronger and it has overcome this situation.
"The match ends when the referee wants, I've nothing else to say on the matter. Hopefully this will provide Varane with experience and he will learn. He's a great player with a great future."
Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Ronaldo all scored in extra-time to give the Blancos a flattering scoreline considering how long Atletico had led, but Simeone accepted that his team grew weary as the game went on at Estadio da Luz.
"Real Madrid were better in the second half of the game" he added. "We were all tired but they got a little better.
"I tried to tell my team that they remained competitive throughout the match and I am always proud of my players - they fought until the end with a lot of humility.
"We were locked in the middle of the pitch with nowhere to go and that makes things very difficult. Football is marvelous for that. At times, it teaches us that winning is everything and it is the most important.
"Losing is not worthy of a tear, we need to keep our heads up and prepare for next season. It is part of the game but obviously you have the two situations. But we gave everything and other people know that Atletico can compete.
"We're working for the best. We won a marvellous Liga, which is day to day and we came close to an international competition, which is good for business."
Simeone also defended his decision to start Diego Costa, who has been struggling with fitness issues in recent weeks, after the forward had to be brought off after nine minutes.
"The responsibility to play Costa was mine," he added. "I was wrong but he was not in the good condition that we saw yesterday."
Carlo Ancelotti thanks Real Madrid players for giving him place in history by becoming the second man to win three European Cups
Real Madrid beat Atletico 4-1 to win their 10th European Cup
Ancelotti's third triumph in the competition after two with AC Milan
Bob Paisley only other man in history to achieve the feat with Liverpool
Iker Casillas believes 'La Decima' is bigger than World Cup victory
By Pete Jenson
Published: 17:35 EST, 24 May 2014 | Updated: 20:34 EST, 24 May 2014
Carlo Ancelotti saluted the players who have given him his place in history. The Italian coach becomes only the second manager in history to win three European Cups emulating the feat of Bob Paisley.
'We have thought about this night since the first game of the season and we finally achieved what we set out to do at the start of the campaign. We never lost the faith and we were stronger in extra time.'
Ancelotti had seen the game slip away from Real Madrid but he made the changes that changed the game bringing on the outstanding Isco and the scorer of the third goal, Marcelo.
Elevated: Carlo Ancelotti has become just the second manager in history to win three European Cups
Winner: Ancelotti also won the Champions twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007
Ecstatic: Sergio Ramos wheels away to celebrate after equalising for Real Madrid in stoppage time
Flying: Ramos climbs highest above the Atletico defence to hammer home a header and level the scores
Do a Mario: Cristiano celebrates after scoring the final goal during Real Madrid's Champions League win
'It’s incredible what we have achieved” said the former PSG, Chelsea, Milan and Roma manager. The coach also defended his goalkeeper Iker Casillas whose early error could have cost Real their much sought-after Decima saying: 'Everyone has played their part in the victory.'
Casillas said: 'Sometimes I make mistakes. The team bounced back and we have been able to do what we set out to do at the start of the season. This feels like something even bigger than winning the World Cup.
'I promised this to the fans a long time ago and 10 is a great number. The fans have suffered waiting for this moment and all this is for them.'
Real Madrid’s president Florentino saluted his last record signing Gareth Bale. 'His second goal killed them off and we are finally able to bring the 10 European Cup to our fans. We have done it with seven new signings at the start of the season. They all came good for us.'
It was Sergio Ramos whose goal brought Real Madrid back into the game in injury time. 'This goal is not for me it’s for all the supporters, we have waited for this moment for a very long time.'
Vital: Gareth Bale put Real ahead in extra time
Impact: Marcelo came off the bench to score Real Madrid's third
La Decima: Iker Casillas believes that winning Real Madrid's 10th Champions League is bigger than the World Cup
The Parisian side were handed a €60 million fine and must reduce their Champions League squad for next season for breaching the governing body's rules
The president of the French FA (FFF), Noel Le Graet, has given his support to Uefa's financial fair play (FFP) rules after Paris Saint-Germain became one of the first major clubs to be sanctioned under the regulations.
PSG and Manchester City were the first two high-profile clubs to receive large fines under the rules which look to regulate clubs' finances in Europe. Under FFP, the French champions were hit with a €60 million fine while their Champions League squad will be reduced to 21 players for next season.
However, Le Graet says he is in support of the new rules as they look to limit "unnatural" spending, but has insisted French football needs PSG.
"The Uefa rules are a good thing," he told Canal+. "The sanctions fall at a bad time: PSG arrived with a very different share capital and has done well so far and has a great team capable of competing with the best in Europe.
"I like PSG, we need them in France, Paris needs a big team. PSG is essential to French football, but Uefa has the right to regulate the amount of spending which is unnatural."
Real and Atletico face UEFA charges over European final
NYON Switzerland Tue May 27, 2014 7:26pm BST
Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone (C) walks off the pitch after losing to Real Madrid in their Champions League final soccer match at Luz stadium in Lisbon, May 24, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
(Reuters) - Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are facing disciplinary action over their behaviour during the Champions League final in Lisbon, UEFA said on Tuesday.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone faces a hearing after he ran on to the pitch and was sent off by the referee near the end of extra time, the European governing body said in a statement.
Real midfielder Xabi Alonso, who could not play in the match because of suspension, has been charged with breaching general principles of conduct, UEFA added.
Simeone said he had been angry because Real's France defender Raphael Varane flicked the ball at him but the Argentine conceded he should not have acted as he did.
"At that point it was pointless for the player to create that situation," said Simeone.
Alonso's charge is understood to relate to his conduct at the edge of the pitch.
Both teams also face charges of "improper conduct of the team" after receiving five or more yellow cards each during Real's 4-1 win, while fans set off fireworks at the Stadium of Light.
UEFA said the disciplinary panel would hear the case on July 17.
(Reporting by Brian Homewood; editing by Neville Dalton)
