Champions League final 2016: Which players would get in a combined Madrid XI following Gareth Bale's comments?

Real forward claimed not one Atletico player would get in Real team, as neighbours meet in Saturday's San Siro showpiece

James Mariner
Thursday 26 May 2016 09:48 BST
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Gareth Bale believes his Real Madrid side are better than Atletico all over the pitch as the sides prepare for Saturday
Gareth Bale believes his Real Madrid side are better than Atletico all over the pitch as the sides prepare for Saturday (2016 Getty Images)

Days before his Real Madrid side face neighbours Atletico in a Champions League final for the second time in three season, Gareth Bale has claimed that not one of Diego Simeone's side would warrant a place in his Real outfit.

Despite Atletico having lost just one of 10 meetings since the 2014 final defeat and conceding less than a goal every two games this season, Bale continues to back his Real colleagues.

“To me, no Atletico player would feature in Real Madrid's team,” he said this week. When asked who had the best outfield players, he was similarly unequivocal: “Real Madrid, everyone Real Madrid.”

Atletico finished the campaign one place, and two points, behind Real in La Liga this season - both failing to prevent Barcelona retaining their crown. Former Tottenham midfielder has scored 19 goals in 30 appearances for Zinedine Zidane's side this campaign, including hat-tricks against Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo La Coruna, as well as helping Wales to a first ever European Championship this summer.

Atletico have enjoyed the better of recent meetings with their neighbours (Getty)

The Welshman also scored what proved to be the winning goal against Atletico at the same stage two years ago, in his first season at the Bernabeu after his world record move from North London. The 26-year-old headed in Angel Di Maria's deflected cross in extra-time after Sergio Ramos' header had levelled Diego Godin's early opener. Further goals from Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo, from the spot, confirmed Real's 10th European Cup.

Only six of Atletico's squad from that night in Lisbon 24 months ago are still at the club, while Real have 12 still sporting their colours.

But how many of Atletico's likely starters can lay claim to being better than their Real counterparts? We compare the players ahead of the match on Saturday.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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