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Rediff.com  » Sports » Defence is best form of attack for fitter Atletico

Defence is best form of attack for fitter Atletico

May 26, 2016 11:45 IST
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Atletico de Madrid players Saul Niguez (left) and Fernando Torres stretch during a training session in Majadahonda, Spain

IMAGE: Atletico de Madrid players Saul Niguez (left) and Fernando Torres stretch during a training session in Majadahonda, Spain. Photograph: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

A fitter Atletico Madrid will face off against Spanish neighbours Real Madrid in their second UEFA Champions League final in three years.

Atletico have a clean bill of health and it is a far cry from the dishevelled state in which Diego Simeone's team arrived at the 2014 final, when they struggled with fitness after a long season and suffered key injuries.

On their way to that Madrid showdown Atletico won 1-0 at the San Siro.

Real, on the other hand, have never won a competitive game at the stadium in 13 attempts.

Defender Diego Godin says Atletico are in better shape than last time around, and thinks his side's team ethic, instilled into them by the charismatic Simeone, could prove key to winning their first European Cup.

Godin told Uefa.com: “Our big secret is the effort the team puts in. The way the whole team works to help the defence is incredible.

"The forwards -- Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann or Yannick Carrasco -- are always with us, defending in our box.

"That shows how committed we are as a team, and how much we believe in our style of play.” 

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