Gareth Bale cautious about Real’s prospects against Atletico Madrid in final

ByReuters

Updated 05/05/2016 at 13:08 GMT

As soon as the final whistle confirmed Real Madrid's berth in the Champions League final against local rivals Atletico with a 1-0 aggregate victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, memories of 2014's all-Spanish final came flooding back.

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match Real Madrid CF vs Manchester City FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, on May 4, 2016

Image credit: AFP

Sergio Ramos headed in a 93rd-minute equaliser in Lisbon, before Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored in extra-time to crush Atletico's dreams of a first ever continental crown and seal "La Decima", the 10th European Cup Real had coveted for so long.

Bale, who forced the Fernando own goal that decided Wednesday's semi-final tie, was cautious about his side's prospects in the May 28 showdown in Milan.

"It's great to be in the final again but there's another game to go against a very difficult and stubborn Atletico Madrid team," the Welshman said.

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Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos celebrates at the end of the game

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"We know it's going to be another difficult game, it always is against them."

Ramos added: "It's another final and it's taken a lot to get there but we've proven we know how to win it and we're going to try and do it again."

Having barely had time to digest their narrow win over Manuel Pellegrini's side, Real's euphoric fans gleefully recalled that late show in Lisbon, chanting: "Atletico, tell me how it felt to lose the final".

Since breaking Atletico hearts in Lisbon, Real have faced their local rivals 10 times and won just once, Javier Hernandez's late goal knocking Diego Simeone's side out of the Champions League in last season's quarter-finals.

Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann (R) celebrates scoring

Image credit: AFP

Before Simeone took over at Atletico in 2011, Madrid derbies were regarded as foregone conclusions, with the Rojiblancos last beating Real in 1999.

Real fans revelled in their neighbours' suffering, producing a banner before one game bearing the message "Wanted: a dignified rival for a decent derby. Apply here".

Guided by the inspirational Simeone, Atletico broke the stranglehold in the most fitting of places, the 2013 King's Cup final at the Bernabeu.

Real have not beaten Atletico in the league since 2013 and were thrashed 4-0 last season at the Vicente Calderon, and lost 1-0 to them at home this term.

"It's a final, there are no favourites," Ronaldo said. "We meet again. A final with Atletico is always special."

Midfielder Luka Modric also expects another tough encounter.

"We played against them two years ago and we remember how difficult it was," the Croatian said.

"We expect the same game and I hope we get the same result."

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