Champions' League final countdown: Real v Atletico - Key Men

By David Lee Wheatley

There are numerous fantastic star players about to take the stage at the Estadio da Luz this evening from the ranks of both sides, with a close contest expected between two teams from the city of Madrid.

A small amount of critical moments will determine the destination of the coveted Champions' League trophy and here is a closer look at a selection of the key protagonists who will most likely provide those sublime seconds of inspiration in potentially leading their respective sides to European glory.

Real Madrid: Three to watch

Cristiano Ronaldo (Forward)

The world's greatest player of the past twelve months is without question the chief dangerman in Real Madrid's line-up and the man Atletico most fear. Despite mounting injury concerns over the last few weeks, the Portuguese superstar is almost certain to start on the left-hand side of the forward line alongside revered colleagues Bale and Benzema. Ronaldo's explosive pace, tricky dribbling skills and ruthless finishing make him an absolute nightmare for opposition defences to control. Even if Atletico attempt to double-up on him, Ronaldo will find a way through. If Real are to emerge victorious this evening, Cristiano will have to be at his imperious best.

Sergio Ramos (Centre-back)

No-nonsense defender Ramos has been the rock upon which Real Madrid have built their run to the final this season, with his dominant and inspirational performances driving Los Blancos on through the rounds all the way to Lisbon. His aerial ability in the opposition box was crucial when scoring twice away to Bayern Munich at the semi-final stage, with his double helping Real to an astounding 4-0 rout of the reigning champions. Extremely comfortable on the deck, strong in the air and a motivational force for his team-mates, Ramos is vital to the solidity of Real's defensive unit tonight. However, his discipline often deserts him when under physical pressure and therefore he must remain calm in the heat of battle.

Angel Di Maria (Left midfield)

Argentine international Di Maria appeared to be heading out of the exit door at the Bernabeu last summer, with the arrival of new head coach Carlo Ancelotti expected to signal the end of his Real Madrid career. However, he remained with a ringing endorsement of his talents from the new man in charge giving him added belief to secure a regular spot in the starting eleven. Di Maria cemented his place on the left of midfield despite stiff competition from the likes of Isco and Jese. Meanwhile, Gareth Bale has been utilised on the right of a three-man forward line, instead of his favoured left-hand side thanks partly to Di Maria. His accurate crossing, penchant for beating a man and tireless work ethic make him a dream for any manager and his assist-making qualities could prove the difference between the two sides this evening.

Atletico Madrid: Three to watch

Diego Costa (Striker)

36-goal Brazilian/Spanish centre-forward Diego Costa is a pure fighter; competitive, physical and a constant nuisance for defenders to cope with. This season has been a major breakthrough year and his goals have been the catalyst behind Atletico's glorious campaign so far. Costa has battled hamstring, knee and thigh problems in recent weeks, but trained yesterday in the hope of making it for the highly anticipated final. Coach Simeone will select Costa even if only half-fit, due to the magnitude of the match and also for everything the controversial striker brings to the team. He holds the ball up supremely well, constantly niggles opponents with unceremonious levels of physicality and revels in putting the ball into the back of the net any which way he can. Aerially he is very difficult to stop and Sergio Ramos will need to be fully focused in order to keep him quiet during what is expected to be a mighty duel between the tetchy twosome.

Thibaut Courtois (Goalkeeper)

22-year-old goalkeeper Courtois has been in sensational form throughout his three-year loan spell away from parent club Chelsea, but has been almost unbeatable throughout this season in particular. Despite being farmed out by the Blues, the 6ft 6ins giant has gone on to prove himself to be one of the very best keepers in the business. Commanding, agile and alert, Belgian Courtois will be under the cosh for the majority of the game against Real's plethora of attacking threats and must continue his fine form if he wishes to carry off the Champions' League trophy come the end of the game.

Diego Godin (Centre-back)

Uruguayan Godin makes up one half of an incredibly impressive central defensive pairing with fellow South American Miranda, which conceded only 26 goals in 38 matches during the domestic league campaign and additionally helped their team in restricting European opposition to just six strikes from 12 Champions' League fixtures. Godin is a true leader, with superb positional sense and reading of the game. His colleague Miranda has come on leaps and bounds after a shaky start to his time at the Vicente Calderon and has a lot to thank Godin for in relation to the assistance and direction he has given him. The 28-year-old will throw himself in front of every single ball and that never-say-die attitude will undoubtedly be in evidence tonight when Atletico go for Champions' League immortality.

Check out the rest of my Champions' League final preview on this blog right now, with a look at both managers, their tactical plans and likely line-ups:

Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid - http://dlwsports.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/champions-league-final-countdown.html

Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid - http://dlwsports.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/champions-league-final-countdown_24.html

Twitter: @davewh1980

Champions' League final countdown: The Managers - Diego Simeone

By David Lee Wheatley

Atletico head coach Diego Simeone has garnered a tremendous reputation as a manager during the last two-and-a-half years in charge of the club he once represented as a player.

Following two Argentine championships with Estudiantes and River Plate, the call to take over at his former side came in December 2011 after a short spell at the helm of Italian outfit Catania. Simeone immediately set about the task with relish and led Atleti to a Europa League trophy in his first season back at the Vicente Calderon. A UEFA Super Cup medal was added soon after, but nothing could have prepared the club's vociferous supporters for what treats lay ahead.

Simeone was a hard-tackling central midfielder who played an integral part in the league and domestic cup double of 1996, which was in fact the last occasion that Atletico lifted La Liga. Thanks largely to his unshakeable belief, utter determination and brilliant man-management skills, the ex-Argentine international became the driving force behind an unlikely return to the top of the Spanish game on a tight budget and against all the odds. The 44-year-old has created a remarkable team spirit amongst his squad, while installing a tactical plan that makes his side tremendously tough to break down.

They tend to set-up shop in an old-fashioned 4-4-2 formation, with the physicality of deadly striker Diego Costa absolutely crucial to their ambitions of victory. However, the 25-year-old has been struggling with injury and remains a slight doubt. Simeone will be desperate to include him in his first eleven and it is widely expected that Costa will indeed take his place in the starting line-up.

The extreme reliability of Atletico's back-four has been a feature of their campaign this term, with Simeone able to select a settled defence throughout the season. Juanfran and Luis are effective wing-backs on the right and left respectively, while Godin and the much-improved Miranda have arguably been one of the finest centre-back pairings in Europe. Meanwhile, the tall and agile on-loan keeper Thibaut Courtois has been in sublime form throughout his three-year spell at the club. Real Madrid's wonderful array of attacking talent will certainly have their work cut out to get the better of their disciplined opponents.

Myriad options exist in Atletico's midfield, with Arda Turan seemingly fit after a knock, thus handing Simeone yet another boost. Gabi, Suarez, Sosa, Koke, Diego and Tiago will all be looking to secure a spot from the beginning of the Lisbon final, but only four will make it. I believe Turan and Koke will be on the wings, as the experienced duo Tiago and captain Gabi sit in the centre of the park. Then, either David Villa or, more likely, Raul Garcia will be in the frame to sit off Diego Costa in a deeper position.

It will take another Herculean effort from Simeone's men to claim an historic double after a draining league season that has sapped much of the squad's energy, thus leaving behind a group of players who're a little bruised and battered from their exertions. However, they have claimed a win and a draw during the league campaign against their arch-rivals and, if anyone can motivate the team to lift themselves once more, it is Diego Simeone.

His team will look to sit deep, flood midfield and hit their opponents on the counter-attack at every opportunity. They've proved themselves to be the best side in Spain this season over 38 games, while knocking out European heavyweights such as Chelsea, Barcelona and Milan on their journey to the Champions' League final. Despite Real Madrid shading the betting as slight favourites, it is clearly conceivable to envisage a night which will unfold with the newly-crowned Spanish kings coming away from Lisbon with the spoils yet again.

This glittering season has already exceeded the club's wildest expectations, so why can't the dream continue just a little longer?

Twitter: @davewh1980

Champions' League final countdown: The Managers - Carlo Ancelotti

By David Lee Wheatley

Carlo Ancelotti steps into his seventh European Cup final as a player or manager tonight against a relative novice as a coach on that stage in the shape of Atletico boss Diego Simeone. The Italian claimed two titles in this competition as an AC Milan player, while also winning two more when in charge of the Rossoneri.

He harboured a dream of leading Real Madrid when entrenched at other huge institutions such as Juventus, Chelsea and PSG, with his ambition finally realised last summer. Unfortunately, Ancelotti presided over an inconsistent league campaign which left the Galacticos sitting third. They watched on as city rivals Atleti stole a march on their more illustrious neighbours by winning a first La Liga crown since way back in 1996.

Now, they meet in the biggest club competition final of them all at Benfica's Estadio da Luz in Lisbon with the eyes of the world watching on. Will the vast experience held by 54-year-old prove crucial in determining the outcome of the contest, or can the man ten years his junior spring yet another surprise to go alongside the league championship that Atletico already have in the bag?

Ancelotti's tactical approach is usually to set out a 4-3-3 formation with superstars Bale and Ronaldo lurking dangerously either side of French striker Karim Benzema. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas has been utilised in domestic and European Cup matches this season, as Diego Lopez has handled the league matches. That rotation policy has largely worked and resulted in a Copa del Rey triumph along with their impressive run to the Champions' League showpiece. Carvajal, Pepe and the inspiration Sergio Ramos will almost certainly start, while Marcelo and Coentrao will battle it out for the left-back slot.

Midfield poses a difficult question to Ancelotti, as he must decide on who to select in place of the suspended Xabi Alonso. The former Liverpool lynchpin is extremely influential to the way in which the team operate and will be sorely missed. Asier Illarramendi hasn't shown his potential since leaving Real Sociedad for the Bernabeu, while another option Casemiro hasn't totally convinced either. The man Ancelotti would like to turn to in this situation is German international Sami Khedira, but he has just returned from long-term injury and must be considered a fitness risk. However, he would be the most likely to step into the breach if his status is judged to be 100% ready to feature. Either side of that so-called 'QB' role will be Angel Di Maria on the left and probably Luka Modric to the right.

It's a line-up easily good enough to worry Atletico head coach Simeone on many levels, but he'll have confidence in his own charges that they are fully capable of pulling off yet another significant upset. Meanwhile, Ancelotti will look to take the game to his opponents, with the emphasis on them to break down a stubborn and highly organised side. The pace of both Bale and Ronaldo will be absolutely key in getting beyond the Atletico back-line to cause several problems for the usually reliable Rojiblancos defence.

Pressure will be high on Ancelotti and his men, so he and his backroom staff will need to cope with that and keep the heat off the players. Real Madrid are expected to win according to most observers, while their fans have been desperately seeking 'La Decima' (The 10th title) since a ninth European Champions' Cup victory twelve years ago. Everyone connected with the super-club were convinced a tenth trophy was only around the corner after three glorious Champions' League triumphs in the space of just six years culminating in that 2002 Hampden a Park win, yet they haven't captured it since. La Decima has become an obsession and could even cost Ancelotti his job should they fail to win in Portugal this evening.

Despite all of the talk and chatter going on in the background surrounding this massive fixture and the manager's future, it must be remembered that Carlo Ancelotti has seen and done it all before. The amiable Italian coach won't be overawed by the occasion or wilt under the weight of expectation on his shoulders. Furthermore, a victory would make him only the second manager in history to plunder three European Cups after the great Bob Paisley.

What a night it would be for him to make history both on a personal note and in the name of arguably the greatest club side on the globe.

Twitter: @davewh1980

 

New Celtic manager: Who's in the frame?

By David Lee Wheatley

Neil Lennon’s decision to step down as manager of Scottish Premiership giants Glasgow Celtic after four years at the helm has set the rumour mill in motion regarding who his replacement could possibly be.

Here, I focus on the main men in the frame for the much sought-after position at Parkhead.

 

Owen Coyle (Unattached)

Former Republic of Ireland international striker Coyle has a strong affinity with Celtic stretching back to his childhood, when growing up a Bhoys fan prior to making his way in the game as a footballer. The Celtic Park job was offered to him in the past, but he turned it down in order to pursue the dream of managing in the English top-flight instead. Massively popular during his time as manager of Burnley, Paisley-born Coyle led the Lancastrian side to promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking, before controversially leaving his post mid-season to join established Premier League side Bolton Wanderers. That move soured his relationship with Burnley supporters and his subsequent spell at the club he represented as a player didn’t work out, as he presided over a relegation campaign prior to termination of his contract two months into the following term. An ill-fated six-month spell with Wigan Athletic last year saw Coyle and chairman Dave Whelan at loggerheads over a number of issues, prompting the owner’s ruthless decision to replace him with Uwe Rosler. Coyle would be expected to work within a budget should he attain the Celtic role and has previous experience of having to do just that throughout his managerial career to date. A successful stint at St. Johnstone preceded his departure for Burnley, however, later problems at both Bolton and Wigan provokes doubt over the Scot’s suitability for the Hoops’ hot-seat.

David Moyes (Unattached)

Moyes is a former Celtic defender, who did a highly commendable job at Everton before falling foul of the Fergie factor at Manchester United. It was always going to be a huge task to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford and it inevitably proved far too much for the ex-Preston boss when faced with mounting problems amid a late-season fan revolt. However, those eleven years of relative success at Goodison Park should not be discounted from his record and the solid, if unspectacular, style of play he prefers would make Celtic a tough nut to crack both domestically and in Europe. Meanwhile, Moyes’ recent fleeting glimpse of Champions’ League football at United may prove invaluable to Celtic’s long-term ambitions abroad, with a distinct lack of competition on Scottish shores. The budgetary constraints in place at Celtic Park would almost certainly be an obstacle to any hopes the club’s hierarchy have of recruiting the 51-year-old, but he’d undoubtedly be a hugely popular choice among supporters due to his previous allegiances.

Malky Mackay (Unattached)

Another ex-Celtic central defender Malky Mackay is among the favourites for the role and would again appeal to Celtic’s fervent fans if appointed. Mackay is a more realistic option than Moyes and his reputation as a manager is still burgeoning thanks to impressive spells in charge at Watford and Cardiff City. He took the Bluebirds to automatic promotion prior to receiving the Championship Manger of the Year award in 2013 for his efforts. However, despite the Welsh side sitting above the Premier League relegation zone at Christmas, Mackay was fired by owner Vincent Tan for allegedly wasting transfer funds on under-par players. The former Norwich City and West Ham United stalwart left his post with the support of the fans still firmly behind him to be replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who took them down. Now, Mackay is ready for a new challenge and would relish the opportunity of taking a shot at the Celtic job.

Jackie McNamara (Dundee United)

Keeping the theme going, McNamara represented Celtic as a player in excess of 250 times and would be welcomed back with open arms by many supporters. A sound start to his managerial career at Partick Thistle alerted bigger clubs to his potential and Dundee United took him on midway through the 2012/13 campaign. His stock has continued rising ever since, as the former right full-back inspired a run to the Scottish Cup final and a 4^th-place league finish in his first full campaign with the Terrors. Unfortunately, they lost out to St. Johnstone at the home of Celtic in the final tie, but that hasn’t stopped persistent links with the now vacant Parkhead position. Furthermore, it’d be incredibly difficult for McNamara to turn down any offer that may come his way from chief executive Peter Lawwell, the man tasked with finding Neil Lennon’s successor.

Henrik Larsson (Falkenbergs)

Celtic hero Larsson has been head coach of Swedish outfit Falkenbergs for a short few months having taken over at the Allsvenskan side in December last year. The 42-year-old stood out as the SPL’s all-time leading goalscorer until surpassed by Kris Boyd in 2009 and retains cult status in the East End of Glasgow. His inexperience as a manager would count against him during any selection process, but that would be outweighed somewhat by the excitement generated by his return. However, entrusting the former striker with the keys to the Celtic kingdom may have to wait a few years yet.

Steve Clarke (Unattached)

Having coached both youth and senior sides at several top clubs in England, Steve Clarke’s array of experience would stand him in good stead should he harbour any interest in becoming Celtic supremo at this juncture of his career. Clarke acted as assistant manager to Ruud Gullit when with Newcastle United, Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant at Chelsea, former team-mate Gianfranco Zola at West Ham United and legendary Scot Kenny Dalglish when employed at Liverpool, while picking up a vast amount of knowledge throughout that 14-year period. Indeed, he was credited with having had a significant impact at many of those clubs, with his influence helping Chelsea to a stunning series of domestic successes in particular. The Ayrshire native decided to strike out on his own as a manager with West Bromwich Albion in June 2012, eventually ending a brilliant eighth in the table. Things went awry in his second season, resulting in a slightly harsh mid-December sacking. Despite that setback, former Scotland international Clarke still retains many admirers within the game and may be handed the chance to take the reins at Celtic in a bid to usher in a new era of youth development at the club.

Paul Lambert (Aston Villa)

An outside bet, the European Cup winner during his playing days with Borussia Dortmund would appear a perfect fit for Parkhead. Lambert bossed the Celtic midfield for nearly eight years following a move back from Germany and is still revered on the Celts. Starting out with a stint in charge of Livingston, Lambert found a reasonable level of success with Wycombe Wanderers and Colchester United in the lower reaches of the English game prior to a switch to Norwich City. The Canaries were languishing in League One when the Scot received the call to take over at Carrow Road, but Lambert was able to spark a magnificent revival encompassing two successive promotion campaigns all the way to the promised land of the Premier League. He went on to keep the club up in the top-flight by a whisker, before leaving to join Aston Villa after Alex McLeish was released. It’s been a tough two terms at Villa Park, with successive relegation flirtations followed up by the recent announcement that owner Randy Lerner wants to sell up. That places Lambert in a precarious position and he may want, or be forced into, a fresh start elsewhere.

Twitter: @davewh1980