Atletico vs Real: Meet the 22 players who matter in the Champions League final

Real MadridCristiano Ronaldo left wingerEven for a player so accustomed to breaking records Ronaldos 16 in 10 games in the Champions League this season has been a new high He has the chance to claim his first Champions League titleKarim Benzema strikerGiven confidence by knowing he is Ancelottis firstchoice striker Benzema has flourished under the Italian scoring 24 goals and just as importantly providing the perfect foil for the pace of Ronaldo and Gareth BaleAngel di Maria attacking midfielderA player transformed by a change of position Di Marias energy is crucial to the balance of Madrids central midfield The Argentine has also remained a goal threat from his deeper role with 14 this seasonGareth Baleright wingerBale said he left Spurs for games like the Champions League final and can round off a fine first year by adding European footballs greatest prize to the Copa del Rey he won with a stunning solo run and finish against BarcaFabio Coentrao left backMuch derided after his 30 millioneuro move he has become an important player off late as he shone in both attack and defence in Reals Copa del Rey final win over Barca and the thrashing of Bayern in the semisPepe central defenderThe Brazilianborn Portuguese international is in a race against time to be fit to play in his adopted homeland due to a calf strainSami Khedira central midfielderKhedira has just returned from a sevenmonth injury layoff after cruciate knee ligament damage but Ancelotti could prefer his experience to the youth of Asier Illaramendi in the absence of the suspended Xabi AlonsoLuka Modric central midfielderModric will be charged with even more responsibility to dominate the midfield in Alonsos absence Wellknown for his passing and ability to shoot from range but it is his defensive work that has won heartsSergio Ramos central defenderThe lynchpin of the Real defence Ramos has won virtually every honour at club and international level barring the Champions LeagueDani Carvajal right backCarvajal has become a key part of the Real side in his first season with the first team since the club exercised a buyback option to bring him back to the Bernabeu after one stellar season with Bayer Leverkusen last yearIker Casillas goalkeeperA hero of Reals last Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park Casillas who turned 33 on Tuesday has overcome the most difficult 18 months of his 15year career at the Bernabeu to lead his side out in LisbonCarlo Ancelotti managerAncelotti could become just the second man after Bob Paisley to win the European Cup three times having done so with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 Such is Madrids obsession with winning a 10th European Cup the result on Saturday will either see Ancelotti hailed as a hero for finally delivering La Decima or possibly fighting for his job having also missed out on La Liga in recent weeksAtletico MadridKoke left wingerA product of the Atletico youth academy the 22yearold has had a stellar season which has seen him become not just a regular in Simeones setup but also in the Spanish national squadDavid Villa strikerVillas work rate has been consistently hailed by Simeone but he has lost the spark in front of goal that made him Spains alltime leading scorer at international level having failed to find the net at all in this seasons Champions LeagueDiego Costa strikerThe sides top scorer and talisman with 36 goals in all competitions Brazilianborn Costa looks like he could miss the final due to a hamstring injury However if he does play he can take Atletico to the titleRaul Garcia right wingerA converted central midfielder Garcias 17 goals in all competitions this season make him the clubs second top scorer He has proved particularly effective in the air and will offer physical presence up front should Costa be unfitDiego Godin central defenderOne of many that were seen as underachieving prior to Simeones arrival at the club Godin has been transformed under the Argentine and not only defended with great authority but also popped up with some vital goalsFilipe Luis left backJust as important an outlet going forward from leftback as he is defensively Filipe Luis has proved particularly important in the two league meetings against Real Madrid this season as he snuffed out the threat posed by Gareth BaleTiago central midfielderAnother player whose nomadic career has been rejuvenated by Simeone A regular in central midfield the Portuguese internationals ability to protect his back four has been a key feature of Atleticos excellent defensive recordGabi central midfielderA product of the Atleti youth academy Gabi has been an inspirational captain in leading the side to the Liga title and the brink of a first Champions League crown He has played more minutes than any other Atletico outfield player this seasonJuanfran right backLike Filipe Luis as well as contributing to European footballs best defence this season Juanfran has been just as important going forward most notably in setting up two goals in the semifinal win at Chelsea Started his career at Real MadridMiranda central defenderOne of the unsung heroes of Atleticos success the 29yearold Brazilian has struck up a great partnership with Godin at the heart of the defenceThibaut Courtois goalkeeperCourtois has spent the last three seasons in the Spanish capital on loan from Chelsea and has quickly become one of the worlds best goalkeepers at just 22 years of age The Belgian No 1 has kept 28 clean sheets in all competitions this seasonDiego Simeone managerSimeones conversion of a club in crisis just above the relegation zone to La Liga champions and on the brink of a first Champions League title in two and a half years has been remarkable Despite not having the finances to compete with Europes elite Simeones motivation and tactical organisation has led Atletico on a 12game unbeaten run to the final on their first appearance in the competition for four years