Minto: Real Madrid’s European obsession could work in Atletico’s favour

Former Chelsea defender and Sky Sports La Liga presenter Scott Minto thinks that Atletico Madrid could take advantage of Real Madrid's obsession with La Decima to come out winners in Lisbon tonight.

Speaking with Georgie Bingham and Micky Quinn on the Weekend Sports Breakfast, Minto noted that in principle, the Champions League final is '50/50', but Atletico have the upper hand in the psychological battle.

"It’s 50-50, but  what I will say is that with Cristiano Ronaldo not being 100 percent, and Alonso being out, that's a big miss. Illarramendi is not a similar player in terms of passing the ball quickly. I just think the momentum Atletico have and the obsession, and the pressure that Real Madrid have, Atletico can lose this game and still be considered to have a great season. That might make them go out there with more freedom, and they'll probably go on and win it."

Asked if he genuinely feels the final is a contest between the two best teams in Europe at the moment, Minto was full of praise for Diego Simeone's side.

"Atletico have gone past Barcelona already before the semi-finals.Then in the semis they not only got past Chelsea, but went from a goal down - and everyone thought the first goal in that game would be so crucial - to come back and win 3-1. Look at what they’ve done in the whole tournament, they’ve been unbeaten, have the best record in terms of defence. In Diego Costa they have a guy who can score goals. When you think about the season they’ve had in La Liga, coupled with the Champions League, you have to say they’re one of the best two teams in Europe this season."

Finally, the former Benfica man backed Carlo Ancelotti for another year at the Bernabeu, even if he fails to bring home La Decima tonight.

"I don’t think he’ll get sacked, I definitely don’t think he should, but there’s already talk in Spain of if he doesn’t win the trophy, then he’s really under pressure. Real Madrid are not a normal football club, we’ve seen in the past when managers have won the Champions League, or won La Liga and not the Champions League, and they’ve lost their job. Vicente del Bosque was one of them. You have to look at what Ancelotti has done behind the scenes though, and I think he fully deserves another year, even if they don’t win it."

talkSPORT has live coverage of the UEFA Champions League final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid from 19:45pm (UK time) on Saturday, May 24th. Click here to listen...