Diego Forlan: Cristiano Ronaldo has to start Champions League final, even if only 80 per cent fit

The Real Madrid says he will be fine for Saturday's final in Milan, but Atletico Madrid don't make life comfortable for any player.

Cristiano Ronaldo hobbled out of training for Real Madrid on Tuesday. Andrea Comas / Reuters
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Diego Forlan writes a weekly column for The National, appearing each Friday. The former Manchester United, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid striker has been the top scorer in Europe twice and won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup. Forlan’s column is written with the assistance of European football correspondent Andy Mitten.

I saw Cristiano Ronaldo pull out of training this week with a thigh problem ahead of Saturday's Uefa Champions League final. A problem with the thigh also meant he missed three games for Real Madrid in April.

Ronaldo says he that he is fine and will be ready for Saturday, though he would be inclined to stay positive and say what he wants to believe – he is hardly going to talk himself out of the European Cup final.

I have been in a similar situation myself; there’s not a professional footballer who hasn’t. I played in lots of games when I’ve not been 100 per cent fit. It’s a risk you and your manager take; a gamble which may or may not pay off.

See also:

• Report: Cristiano Ronaldo 'will be at 100 per cent' for Real Madrid in Champions League final

• Ian Hawkey: In the pressure cooker of a Champions League final, Zidane and Simeone need to keep their cool

• The National's predictions: Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid – who will win?

• Poll: Who will win the Uefa Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico?

In 2005, Uruguay had a key World Cup qualification play-off against Australia. I picked up a thigh injury, like Ronaldo, while playing for Villarreal against Benfica the week before. I knew I wasn’t 100 per cent but the problem with a thigh injury is that it’s not obvious how bad it is. When you have an ankle injury, you can feel the pain or see the damage. Muscle injuries are harder to detect. You know there’s a problem, yet you could play a game without it hindering you. Then again, they are most likely to break down at full sprint so you maybe afraid to sprint and hold back.

I started that game against Australia, but the gamble didn’t pay off. I left the field after 15 minutes and it was a bad night for Uruguay as we didn’t reach the World Cup finals either.

Ronaldo is Madrid’s best player, their main game changer, their top scorer. He could be 100 per cent fit on Saturday, but he is probably worth playing even at only 80 per cent fit. He could get through the game without any problems, especially if his team are comfortable and playing well.

Except that Atletico Madrid don't make life comfortable for anybody. The game is likely to be tight, with little space. It's not like when you play Barcelona, Atletico are masters at closing space and defending. They are aggressive, they agitate and don't stop for 90 minutes. So Real will naturally look to their match winners to change that; they will look to Ronaldo to find a breakthrough.

The pitch at Milan’s San Siro will suit Real. I used to play there and it’s a fast surface not at all like the Vicente Calderon, which Atletico keep dry and sticky to slow down play. They know they will see less of the ball than Real, that they have to work on the counter attack. They are perfectly capable of doing that and will be happy to wait before pouncing.

When the pair met at the Bernabeu in the league this season, Atletico won 1-0. So long ridiculed for how they did against their uptown neighbours, their record against Real Madrid is fantastic under Diego Simeone.

As a former Atletico player, I hope they can win and avenge the 2014 final. They deserve a first European Cup after twice losing in the final in the dying minutes. They deserve to make it third time lucky, and those marvellous supporters, who are more similar to South American fans with their passion than most European fans, deserve the cup too.

I think they can win. Simeone is highly motivated at the worst of times. Imagine what he is going to be like before the final in Milan? The last thing he wants is a second Champions League final defeat to Real.

People have asked me about the key battles between individuals, but I see the game as being more about battles between defence and attack – Real’s attack against Atletico’s defence – and I believe the latter will come out on top because it’s easier to defend than to attack, easier to destroy than create.

And how can you have an individual battle with Ronaldo when he plays all over the pitch in attack? He could have four different players trying to take the ball off him. Real really need him to be at his best, but there’s a very real chance that he’s not. It’s for him and his manager Zinedine Zidane to work out what’s best.

Unlike football when my grandfather played, there’s always the option of using a substitutes. None are as good as Ronaldo, though Lucas Vasquez has impressed me this season. He’s got good feet, as you would expect from anyone who has come through Real Madrid’s youth system. Like Ronaldo, he can also play on the left and the right; he’s become an important player under Zidane.

There will be top players all over the pitch. Real’s attackers are rightly praised because they are so good, but one player who has impressed me hugely under Zidane is the Brazilian holding midfielder Casemiro. Barely used by Rafa Benitez, he’s become an important component under the new manager, someone who breaks up play and gives confidence to those around him when attacking.

Atletico’s whole team deserve to be praised for another magnificent season. Saul Niguez has really impressed me, as well as Antoine Griezmann, goalkeeper Jan Oblak, Fernando Torres and Gabi. The latter two, Atletico fans all their lives, will be extra motivated to beat Real Madrid in Milan.

I hope their motivation pays off and like the rest of the world I’ll be watching the game on the edge of my seat.

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