Ronaldo's Real seek La Decima against Simeone's Atletico collective

By John Bagratuni, dpa

Real Madrid seek La Decima at last with superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale but face the collective might of Atletico Madrid in the first ever Champions League final between two teams from the same city on Saturday.

Ronaldo's Champions League-record 16 goals and the mostly spot-on tactical wit of coach Carlo Ancelotti were key factors in Real's first run to the final since their ninth and last success in 2002.

Ancelotti has the chance to emulate his predecessor Jose Mourinho and, among others, former Real coach Jupp Heynckes, by lifting the trophy with two different clubs. The Italian guided AC Milan to the title in 2003 and 2007.

"The Decima is the trophy that every Madrid fan wants. I joined this club to win titles like this," Ronaldo said.

Bale agreed: "These are the reasons why you come to Real Madrid, to play in the biggest finals in the world and try to win trophies. I'm looking forward to it the same as everyone else."

Argentine Diego Simeone can become only the third non-European coach to get the cup if he completes an astonishing season with Atletico's first Champions League title.

Atletico impressively edged out Real and Barcelona for their first Spanish league title since 1996 on Saturday - thanks to a 1-1 draw at Barca in the final round, having won at the Bernabeu and drawn at home to Real earlier in the campaign.

Top striker Diego Costa remains doubtful for the big game in Lisbon's Estadio Da Luz but Simeone's team has shone with collective power rather than only individual brilliance all season.

Simeone has named the odds at "50-50," saying "they (Real) have individually better players. They got there with major desire, and we got there with very great motivation. It will be very even, and the midfield will be very important."

In this area Ancelotti is unable to call upon the suspended Xabi Alonso. In addition, defender Pepe and forward Karim Benzema are doubtful but Ronaldo will be fit to play in his home country after being rested in the league finale against Espanyol over a hamstring scare.

"Ronaldo and Bale will play," Ancelotti said, adding that he doesn't expect Atletico to be weakened if Costa can't play.

"There are no secrets in the game, both teams know each other well. It will be a tough and close match," Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti, who has restored peace at Real with a quieter regime than Mourinho, was widely praised after Real thrashed holders Bayern Munich 4-0 in Germany to reach the final.

El Mundo spoke of a "tactical genius who knows better than anyone how to win the Champions League" and named him "the most important signing made this year by Real Madrid," while Ronaldo said: "Ancelotti has changed everything here: the mentality, the tactics, everything."

However, Simeone has also worked wonders at Atletico who reached their second final in the event with a 3-1 triumph at Mourinho's Chelsea and are unbeaten in the campaign.

Atletico's first trip to the final was 40 years ago when they were seconds away from victory over Bayern Munich before conceding a 120th-minute equalizer and losing the rematch 4-0 two days later.

Erasing that trauma is one objective, but Simeone dismissed suggestions that stepping out of the shadow of richer and more famous Real by beating them was another main motivation.

"The ability to motivate is to show them the shirt of this club. The motivation is to play for Atletico Madrid, not against who we're playing", he said. "A final, in itself, is motivating."

Atletico showed their resilience in Barcelona by getting the required draw even after Costa and Arda Turan limped off, and their scoring hero of the day, Diego Godin, spoke of "a huge and exciting" final challenge.

"We are coming into our last final of this season in the best possible way - with a lot of confidence. We know it's a great opportunity because we played a final against Barcelona, we won and now we have another final against Real Madrid," he said.

Saturday's showdown is the first between two teams from the same city, but there have been four previous one-nation finals.

Iker Casillas was between the posts when Real beat Valencia 3-0 in 2000, and Ronaldo lifted the cup in 2008 with Manchester United despite missing a penalty in the shoot-out with Chelsea. Ancelotti's Milan beat Juventus 2003 in Manchester and last year Bayern Munich beat Dortmund at Wembley.

Atletico, for their part, won an all-Spanish Europa League decider 3-0 against Athletic Bilbao two years ago.

The only previous European meeting between Real and Atletico dates back to the 1959 semi-finals, with Real prevailing in three games en route to what was then a fourth title.