Atletico Want to Put Cruel Past Behind in Rerun of 2014 Final
Atletico Want to Put Cruel Past Behind in Rerun of 2014 Final
Atletico were on the verge of claiming Europe's premier club competition in 2014 when Madrid equalised in stoppage time and went on to win 4-1.

Milan: With the pain still fresh in their minds, Atletico Madrid have an added motivation for Saturday's Champions League final rematch against Real Madrid.

Atletico were on the verge of claiming Europe's premier club competition in 2014 when Madrid equalised in stoppage time and went on to win 4-1.

But Atletico captain Gabi Fernandez, who called it a 'cruel defeat', says the 'past is not worth considering'. The midfielder adds, "You can only judge us on what we do tomorrow."

One Atletico player who has won the prestigious trophy is former Chelsea forward Fernando Torres. He says it would be a 'dream' to repeat that feat with his childhood club.

For Spain, Torres scored a goal in the final both times his country won the European Championship, in 2008 and 2012. He also won the World Cup.

"Tomorrow is the most important game I will play ever," Torres said. "I'm very happy to be playing with this club. I've been playing with them since I was 5. I was very lucky to win the competition with Chelsea and so much with Spain, but this is something very special for me."

Torres progressed through the ranks at Atletico before moving to Liverpool and then Chelsea. He had a disappointing four-month loan spell at AC Milan before returning to Atletico at the start of 2015.

The 32-year-old striker will be hoping to cap his rehabilitation with club soccer's biggest prize.

"Tomorrow means everything to me, everything you dream when you're a kid," Torres said. "Tomorrow I have the chance to make this dream come true. It's just what I wanted when I was a kid.

"Tomorrow is the game of my life without doubt."

Real Madrid are bidding for an 11th European Cup, while they would be a first for Atletico, but coach Diego Simeone said he is ready.

"I love to have 130 years of history on my back," the Argentine said. "I love that. I love the pressure."

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