Movie Review: Suicide Squad (2016)

Someday in the future, if I would be asked to list the movies that I have regretted watching in a movie theater, I'll make sure of mentioning Suicide Squad among them. The regret isn't because the movie is boring - it is for some spells though - but rather because as its events advance, you come to realize that you have been somehow tricked into spending two worthless hours of cartoonish chaos and ineptitude.

Honestly, I expected to at least enjoy the movie, even when I was already sure that it won't ever match the heights of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy (the best comic-book movies ever produced), but the film was so utterly ridiculous, particularly in its second half, that I felt self-embarrassed for even daring to expect entertainment.

Many elements in the story written by David Ayer, who previously penned the popular Training Day (2001) and Fury (2014) are irrational. First of all, with all due respect, and with definitely no racism intended, it is almost impossible for a black woman to persuade the U.S. government into unleashing the most violent and mentally disturbed criminals to defend the country (and the whole world) against any potential higher-power future threats. Viola Davis looks completely out of her skin in the role of Amanda Waller, an officer who controls the villains she assembled together through a silly mobile application that blows off their heads in case they thought of running away. The second major issue that defies logic, is the filmmakers' tried-and-failed attempt for the viewers to sympathize with the bad guys: Will Smith's generally good acting is not enough to convince us that Deadshot's sole weakness is his daughter from his divorced wife, the romance between Harley Quinn and the Joker is just as freakish and odd as the two famous characters are, and the Diablo's repent after accidentally setting his house and family on fire is too cliche.  

The whole process of assembling the squad members and trying to fit them all in the storyline is nothing short of foolish. The video-games-like graphical bio of each character (depicted in countless movies before) is followed by a flashback to the incident during which they got captured (usually by Batman), the presence of the likes of Boomerang and Killer Croc is just there to add to the sum, and the super-power monster threatening humanity is a disgustingly annoying cave-witch that speaks gibberish and transforms people into unidentifiable killing zombies. 

The return of the Joker was certainly the most anticipated subject during the production of the film. Personally, I consider Jared Leto to be among the best supporting actors in Hollywood lately, but his portrayal of Gotham's most wicked culprit is by all means disappointing. I can't blame Leto completely for this messy and pointless performance though; the character was badly written in the first place and barely affects the movie's proceedings. The efforts of both Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger to create a haunting and adorable freak of a criminal will probably remain untouchable forever.

Leto's Joker may Attract the Eyes but Surely not the Minds nor the Hearts

But perhaps the only light that shines throughout all of this gloominess is the stunning Margot Robbie. Aside from her character's frivolous relationship with the Joker, Harley Quinn is undoubtedly the most charming badass in the whole film. Whenever she's on screen, a smile is guaranteed. This performance further enhances the Australian actress's reputation as one of the best rising stars in the business at just 26 years of age.

Daddy's Lil Monster: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn is Irresistibly Charming

So, with two dissatisfying installments so far, DC Comics is currently on the losing side in the battle with Marvel for producing highly-entertaining yet plausible comic-book-based motion pictures. All the witty one-liners, the catchy soundtracks, the class-A actors/actresses and the action-packed, slow-motion fighting sequences in the world can't save Suicide Squad from being another Hollywood blockbuster failure. You've been warned.

My Rating: 4/10

Novel Review: And the Mountains Echoed (Khaled Hosseini, 2013)

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." ~ Rumi

For me, Khaled Hosseini is not, and will never be, just like any other author out there. The first novels I have ever read were his own "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns", and through them, Hosseini reached deep inside of me - and of millions of other readers - with his extremely touching writing and powerful imagery. It was normal then that I would have great expectations for his third novel, especially that it had been almost three years since reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns", and boy it was just as sweet as returning home after an exhausting spell away.

Just as with the previous two books, the main events of "And the Mountains Echoed" take place in Afghanistan. There is an instant and deep familiarity with the setting and the characters, despite their relatively big number and the complexities that gradually grow in their intertwining relationships over a period of almost 60 years. 

The general story, which is subdivided into several parts and told from the perspectives of the main characters at different points in time, is not as dark as Hosseini's previous works, but it is just as - if not more - emotional and effective. 

The heartbreaking separation of two very close young siblings, Abdullah and Pari, and how the harsh circumstances of their old-school father's life have deprived them from each other's bond and love is the major tale around which the book revolves. Hosseini's depiction of how this premature parting have altered their lives and those around them forever is devastatingly authentic.

"The finger cut, to save the hand."

Hosseini has an unparalleled understanding of struggling women. He proved this again here through the outstanding female character, Naila, who defied all social, cultural and religious barriers to seek the life she has long desired since her troublesome childhood. She is the perfect example of an eastern woman struggling to chase her liberty in a tremendously oppressing environment. Whether or not you justify her extreme actions and behavior to achieve her purpose, one thing is certain: Naila's persona will fascinate you.

"It's a funny thing...but people mostly have it backward. They think they live by what they want. But really, what guides them is what they're afraid of. What they don't want."   

French writer and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre has once written that "When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die." There seems to be no better place than Afghanistan to actually feel the validity of these words. Until this very day, the people of Afghanistan are far from being safe, even after tens of years of unrest. Every single Afghan family has tragically suffered in one way or another because of this ongoing war, but it is those who have been hurt by their own countrymen who will most probably never heal for generations to come. Hosseini zooms in on this issue from Adel's point of view, the young son of a hugely popular and loved religious man, who has incurred great damage on those around him while pretending that he is unconditionally serving them in the name of God and Islam. When Adel uncovers the truth on his own, you cannot help but wonder how he, and those like him, can resume their lives normally with such unbearable doubts in their minds and souls.

"I now know that some people feel unhappiness the way others love: privately, intensely, and without recourse."

Hosseini also reveals the enormous effect a parent's care  - especially that of a mother - can have on one's life through the story of Greek surgeon Markos Varvaris. Markos has literally escaped his hometown to pursue his dreams and step away from his mother's shadows, and despite ultimately succeeding in that regard, he has always lacked her essential support (she is his only parent) during his highs and lows. Thankfully though, Markos eventually comes to recognize that his mother never wanted but the best for him, even when it has appeared to be otherwise. And by the time Hosseini strikes this highly-emotional recognition, Markos finally reaches a satisfaction he has never felt before during his wildly illustrious life.

"What good is regret? It brings back nothing. What we have lost is irretrievable."

These are only a few affairs and characters that Hosseini has greatly succeeded in dealing with in his latest stunning work. "And the Mountains Echoed" is yet another masterpiece from a writer who never fails to turn the reading process of his books into experiences that shake up the very core of the human soul. Now that you all know this, try it out for yourselves and you'll never ever regret it.

My  Rating: 9/10

Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament

Tomorrow night we will say goodbye to Euro 2016 with the final game between hosts France and Portugal. Personally, I see that this edition of the European Championship has been generally disappointing  in terms of team and individual performances alike, probably because of the expansion to the 24-team format and thus the inclusion of historically less experienced teams in this kind of international competitions. 

50 matches have been played (excluding the final), with a 2.14 goals per match average, which is a low ratio taking into consideration that some of the world's most lethal goalscorers and most creative playmakers participated in the tournament. Most of the matches were tactical and closed ones, during which teams aimed to avoid conceding goals rather than trying to score and take advantage over the opposition. Despite that, I have picked an attacking 4-3-3 formation (oddly managed by a defensive-minded coach) to accommodate my personal best 11 players in the cup. Note that I will include other worthy players in each position to credit their efforts despite not being included in the line-up. 

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

At 38 years of age, Gigi Buffon is not only proving to still be among today's best keepers in the world (I think he truly is), but he is also making sure everyone remembers him as the best of all time. The captain of his team and the leader of the rock-solid Italian defense, Gigi is showing no signs of slowing down just yet. He conceded only one goal during the competition (against Germany) and was so unlucky in the penalty shootouts in the quarter finals.

Honorable mentions at Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Germany) and Hugo Lloris (France)

Central Defender 1: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

Among the Italian BBC defensive line (Bonucci - Barzagli - Chiellini), Leonardo was clearly outstanding. His performances justified why Conte wants to build his Chelsea defense next season around him, and why Pep Guardiola needs him so bad in his new Manchester City project. One of the finest defenders in world football today.

Central Defender 2: Mats Hummels (Germany)

Hummels was back in form this season for Borussia Dortmund and did just the same with his national team, even if he didn't play in the opening match. He has shaken off a huge pressure from his transfer to arch rivals Bayern Munich and showed that he is head and shoulders above the rest of the German defenders. His absence in the semi final defeat against France due to suspension was largely felt; Germany are not the same without him.

Honorable mentions at Center Back: Pepe (Portugal) and Ashley Williams (Wales)

Right Back: Bacary Sagna (France)

Sagna barely put a foot wrong on the right side of the French defense throughout the tournament thus far. He hasn't given his substitute a chance whatsoever to step in for him. A clear message to Guardiola that he can blindly count on him next season at Manchester City.

Honorable mentions at Right Back: Darijo Srna (Croatia)

Left Back: Patrice Evra (France)

Evra is 35 years old and is playing his sixth major tournament for his country. It is true that Lloris is holding the captain's armband, but it is Evra who is leading the French team on and off the pitch. He is an expert on the left side of defense and continued his excellent form this season for Juventus. His successor will have a lot to live up to when he hangs his boots.

Honorable mentions at Left Back: Jonas Hector (Germany) and Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal)

Central Midfielder: Toni Kroos (Germany)

Kroos was absolutely Germany's best player not only this summer, but over the last couple of years as well. He is the competition's best passer with a remarkable 93% completion rate and again displayed unparalleled versatility with both his offensive and defensive games. Real Madrid would be beyond foolish if they even consider the notion of letting him go to accommodate a place for Pogba or any other Galactico, and if they do, then congratulations for those who acquire his services.

Attacking Midfielder 1: Aaron Ramsey (Wales)

Ramsey was mocked all over the world when he dyed his hair blonde just days ahead of the finals. He just seemed to not even give a damn about it with his distinguished displays for Wales. Alongside Bale, he was one of the major contributors to Wales's surprising title charge, with 4 goal assists under his belt: the highest number so far in the competition. His suspension against Portugal in the semi finals was fatal for his nation's hopes.

Attacking Midfielder 2: Dimitri Payet (France)

Payet headed into the tournament with huge expectations following his heroics with West Ham United in this season's Premier League. He did just the same for his nation in the Euros. He literally carried France almost single-handedly up in the group stage and will be a major threat for the Portuguese in the final. West Ham will endure a long transfer window to keep him in London this summer.

Honorable mentions in Midfield: Axel Witsel (Belgium), Luka Modric (Croatia) and Bjarnason (Iceland)

Left Wing: Cristano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Ronaldo has clearly not been at his 100% best in this tournament, but if Portugal were considered lucky to find themselves in the final, it was mainly due to his efforts. Cristiano still suffers from mental and psychological problems when dealing with huge pressure, specifically when he plays for Portugal, given that he is his country's all time top scorer, most capped player and probably most decorated and talented player ever. Three goals in six matches is not what one would expect of his exceptional goal scoring abilities, but his strikes were crucial for this humble Portugal side to reach the final. He should be at his best tomorrow night if Portugal fancy any chance to finally be European champions for the first time in history.

Right Wing: Gareth Bale (Wales)

Bale has made sure his name is written in the Euro's history books for all the right reasons, as one of the few superstars to have lived up to the expectations at Euro 2016. His two amazing free kicks in the group stage were the start of the dream journey for the nation of Wales. He coped exceptionally well with pressure and terrified his opponents with his electrifying pace and long-range rockets. He literally ran his socks off in the semi finals against Portugal, but found it a bit harder in the absence of Ramsey. Any doubt that Real Madrid fans still have regarding his price tag and footballing value should now be well and truly dismissed. Gareth is surely Wales's red dragon and the country's finest ever footballer.

Center Forward: Antoine Griezmann (France)

In the first two matches, Griezmann played as a right winger. He was okay, scoring two goals and performing well alongside Payet and Giroud up front. But the turning point was when Deschamps moved him to his favorite position: just behind the main striker. It is in this position that Griezmann proved to be one of the most prolific strikers in Europe this year with Atletico Madrid and he did just the same in the knockout stages in the Euros. With six goals to his name already, he is the top scorer and it will take a miracle from Ronaldo to overtake him in the standings. His brace against the Germans in the semi finals will long live in the memories of France supporters and again Atletico will find it very hard to keep him on board in the ongoing transfer window. Whether France win the final or lose it, Griezmann will definitely be crowned as the cup's best player.

Honorable mentions in Attack: Alvaro Morata (Spain) and Arkadiusz Milik (Poland)

Manager: Antonio Conte (Italy)

What Antonio Conte did with this average Italy squad was beyond imagination. Despite all of the injuries, and despite the squad being one of the most technically-moderate in Italy's entire history, Conte showed again why it is ridiculous to write the Italians off at major tournaments. His tactical masterpieces against Belgium and Spain are football and life lessons alike, and will give Chelsea supporters much to hope for next season. It is so unfortunate that a manager of his caliber has left the cup at the quarter finals.

Honorable mentions: Didier Deschamps (France) and Chris Coleman (Wales)


Finally, this is how the players line up:

Novel Review: All The Bright Places (Jennifer Niven, 2015)

"We are all alone, trapped in these bodies and our minds, and whatever company we have in this life is only fleeting and superficial."

All The Bright Places is my sixth Young Adult novel in almost four months, and unfortunately it was the worst of them all, despite my very high expectations for it. I was really looking forward to reading this book simply because it revolves around teen suicide; one of the most critical issues in the world nowadays, specifically in the US, where it is the third leading cause of death for those between 15 and 24 years old.

Author Jennifer Niven, penning her first YA novel, failed to build a story powerful enough to raise more awareness and shed the light on this rising threat, and focused instead on minor interactions between the two leading characters, Theodore and Violet, before their ultimate separation.

Personally, I wasn't amazed at all by how the love story evolved. Theo and V found themselves on the ledge of their high school's bell tower, then they joined forces on a geography project that became very annoying, boring and irrelevant, especially when other more important events should have been under the spotlight in the latter stages of the story. 

"You are all the colors in one, at full brightness."

And although I believed that Theo truly suffered from serious psychological and mental problems, I wasn't fully convinced by the motives and circumstances that led him to actually think about ending his life, taking into consideration that his love to Violet changed him drastically for the good. Most of Theodore's parts in the novel were vague and mixed up, just as his personality, and I found it very hard to sympathize with him, because as mentioned earlier, I didn't believe that his situation was bad enough for him to even contemplate suicide.

On the other hand, Violet's character was developed better by the author. Her behavior and way of thinking were logical given her sister's tragic death and how her parents kind of kept her locked inside that dark world after the accident, by overprotecting her. And then there was her noticeable and consequential transformation by Theodore's relationship and how he actually liberated her and returned her back to her normal life. Despite all of this however, I didn't connect to Violet on an emotional level, mainly due to that ambiguous and unrealistic relation she had with Theo for a relatively short period of time.

"When you consider things like the stars, our affairs don't seem to matter very much, do they?"

As a love tale between two teenagers, All The Bright Places was so ordinary and traditional, and so it is a failure in this regard. As a book trying to bring teen suicide to the surface as a significant danger to humanity, it wasn't persuasive and genuine enough. I doubt I'll be reading any YA novel any time soon.

My Rating: 6/10

Three Jason Mraz Songs that will Make You Happier

"Music is a weapon in the war against unhappiness" ~ Jason Mraz

It is highly probable that you'll at least smile once you see a Jason Mraz photo or watch one of his performances. However, it is almost definite that you will feel really happy once you listen to his music, even when you are utterly devastated. Just listen to the following three singles and you will experience it yourself.

1. The Remedy (I Won't Worry)

The first song on the list happens to be Mraz's first ever single from his first ever studio album. Mraz opens the track with electro-funky sounds, then rocks his guitar, and the song clicks into gear from there. The crazy, yet great, lyrics and the highly catchy rhythm will surely shift your mood in the right direction.

"If you've gots the poison, I've gots the remedy."

2. I'm Yours

Probably Mraz's most famous song - it spent 76 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. It is not as fast and energetic as The Remedy, but the joy it provides lies within the coolness and simplicity of its tunes and lyrics. Moreover, Mraz is vocally much accomplished and versatile on this track that you can't help but sing along with him on the main verse.

"Well, open up your mind and see like me. Open up your plans and damn you're free."

3. I Won't Give Up

If you relate to this song to a certain degree, you may well and truly cry. So why is it even on this list? Just make sure you are in a quiet space, plug in your earphones, raise the volume up, close your eyes and listen; you will then feel your spirits rising uncontrollably.

"I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily. I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make."

Novel Review: Revival (Stephen King, 2014)

"That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die." 

Not so long ago, I discovered that the man who wrote the screenplay of The Shawshank Redemption was the same one who wrote that of The Green Mile. Both are two of my favorite movies, and are widely considered to be among the best movies of the 90's, if not of all time. I kept the name in my mind, and I later knew that the man was actually the author of numerous worldwide-known novels. That's why when I saw Stephen King's name on the spine of a greenish-black book at Malik's, I had no choice but to pick it up from the shelf and take it home.

I finished reading Revival yesterday (I have been reading it intermittently for the past month), and I have to admit that I wasn't disappointed at all. In fact, the last three chapters of the book (around a hundred pages) were so brilliant and engaging, yet absolutely terrifying, that I had to finish them on a single reading stretch, almost breathlessly.

King deals with controversial social, religious and scientific issues in this thrilling story, and readers are forced to think and wonder about some serious possibilities that were otherwise very doubtful previously. 

For me, the novel can be divided into three parts:

The first one, in which King develops the characters and the setting, is very catchy and enjoyable. I really doubted that the story was a "thriller" while reading the opening three or four chapters.

In the second part, King follows one of the main character's life journey with too much details, most of which are irrelevant and have minimal relation to the overall tone and the subsequent events. This is the part I wanted to finish as fast as possible and I felt slightly bored while reading it.

The third and final part, the one I mentioned above, was simply incredible. I just couldn't stop reading and it really scared the hell out of me. All these creepy visions that the main characters had are now imprinted in my memory.

"This is how we bring about our own damnation, you know - by ignoring the voice that begs us to stop. To stop while there is still time."

So while the novel would have been much more accomplished with around a hundred pages less, I can safely and surely say that I enjoyed it as my first Stephen King novel. Those of you wanting to witness King's genius and exceptional storytelling can turn to Revival as a kick-off; I already have another one of his works on my shelf (to be read a few weeks from now), as well as many others on my shop list.

My Rating: 7.5/10

The Keys to Glory: 5 Factors Real Madrid must Acquire to Win their 11th Champions League Title

The final is approaching fast now. Real Madrid will play their 14th final in club football's most prestigious competition on Saturday, in a bid to win their 11th title. The opponents? Non other than city rivals and eternal foes Atletico Madrid, in what is to be a repeat of the tournament's showpiece almost two years ago in Lisbon, when Real achieved their long-awaited 10th title: La Decima.

On route to the final, Real Madrid are considered to have been somehow lucky in facing teams like Roma, Wolfsburg and Manchester City in the knockout stages, given their poor domestic form in La Liga (they trailed both Atletico and Barcelona by a considerable margin of points) and the Copa del Rey (they were eliminated from the first round after an institutional scandal). However, a derby match against Atletico in particular is without doubt their toughest test yet this season and one that would ultimately transform it from total failure to absolute glory.

In their last 10 matches against Atletico in all competitions, Real have only won once. Los Indios have definitely had the upper hand in the Madrid derby recently, with the last encounter in La Liga proving crucially decisive in the title race, as Atletico came victorious from the Santiago Bernabeu stadium to prevent Real from winning the title, only one point short from Barcelona's tally.

To add to the already difficult challenge, Real have never won a match at San Siro, the venue where the final is going to be held. As such, Los Blancos will have to make sure they hold 5 essential footballing keys to improve their recent bad record against their neighbors and eventually lift the cup.

1. Maintain the "Zizou Effect": Zidane's Winning Mentality

When the photograph below went viral following the victory over Atletico in the 2014 final, no one had a doubt that Zidane would one day lead Real Madrid from the bench as their manager. Zidane was only Ancelotti's assistant back then, but almost all squad members have publicly credited their former idol's contribution to that night's historic victory in particular. Ancelotti's face really says it all.

Zidane is by no means a better coach than his predecessor, Benitez. He simply is more accepted and respected among the players, the fans, the media and the board. Since his appointment back in January, the team has clearly improved on all levels. A better and tension-free dressing room environment has led to better football on the pitch and consequently better results. In fact, a group of such high-caliber players as Real Madrid's, require minimal intervention in terms of coaching and football tactics. What they most importantly need is cohesion, unity and belief. These traits have become part of what is now known as the "Zizou Effect", the catalyst behind Madrid's revival after their terrible start to the season.

Under the French legend, Real boast an 80.77% win percentage, emerging victorious in 21 out of 26 games in total, with only two defeats. The team literally crushed almost every opponent on home ground in La Liga, defeated Barcelona at Camp Nou to mount a once unthinkable title charge until the very last round and winning several matches along the way after conceding first. Not to mention surviving Roma's comeback in the round of 16, as well as turning the Wolfsburg tie on its head after the first leg 2-0 defeat in the quarter finals of the Champions League. This is the kind of winning mentality needed to breakdown a side as tough as Atletico in the final.

The Rage Beneath the Tranquility: Zidane's Presence Made a Difference in La Decima Victory

2. Eye for an Eye: Match Atletico's Fierce Intensity

Intensity is Atletico's major strength. It is not only tough to penetrate through their highly compact and organized defensive lines; keeping effective ball possession under the immense pressure they apply is a task that has been failed by both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the two most possession-obsessed teams in club football. Diego Simeone's instructions give his players a very wide margin as to what is permitted to breakdown the opposition attacks and retrieve the ball: anything that falls in the range of tactical fouls, rough tackles and personal provocation of the opponent players. And this is a behavior even their forward players often refer to in every single match.

How to deal with such unbearable intensity? Match it. Real should not be drawn into Atletico's negative play of fouls and brawls, but rather should apply the kind of offensive and defensive pressure that has put many teams to the sword this season, specifically at Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid have all the physical, technical and tactical requirements to do so again in San Siro.

The BBC should track back and help their teammates with their defensive duties, just as they did during the Camp Nou Clasico, which remains Real's most accomplished team performance to date this season. The team will be much more compact, and even more effective on the counter attack; Real's main offensive weapon, even after the departure of the likes of Ozil and Di Maria. 

Give them a Taste of their Own Medicine: Real Should Rise Up to Atletico's Rigidity

3. Rock-Solid Defense: Respect Atletico's World-Class Attack

Atletico have not beaten two of the best teams in the world by coincidence to reach the final. They didn't achieve this huge feat by merely sitting in the back and closing the shop. They have built attacks, created plenty of chances and scored crucial goals thanks to their highly renowned forward line. Griezmann is already on the wishlist of every major European club when the summer transfer window opens next July, while Torres's resurgence has earned him some voices to even be included in Spain's squad for this summer's European Cup in France. These two, together with the likes of Saul, Carrasco, Koke, Vietto and Correa can be very difficult to deal with.

The Real Madrid defensive line to face this tricky pack has improved significantly under Zidane. Only 18 goals have been conceded with the French in charge and Real are the only team in the competition to keep clean sheets in all home games this season. Navas has surely played a big part in this, but so did the clearly back-to-form Pepe and club captain Sergio Ramos. Also, Casemiro's introduction as a holding midfielder alongside both Kroos and Modric has solidified things even more in the center of the park and added the previously missed balance. And let's not forget the extra defensive effort put on by Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema to aid their teammates when the ball is not between their feet.

So, before Real think of how to put the ball in the net beyond Atletico's high wall, they should tighten up their own defenses  and keep the Atletico wolf pack quiet. Concede the first goal and the Rojiblancos would become even more impenetrable.

Mr. Save: Navas is a Huge Inspiration for Real's Solid Back

4. The BBC and Alternative Solutions

Real's main attacking weapon is their famous BBC trident. The three European forwards have shipped in a total of 20 goals between them in this season's Champions League campaign, with additional 5 assists to their name. 

Among them, Bale is currently the most in-form. His goals and efforts in recent weeks have kept Real's hopes alive in La Liga and he hit his peak form just in time for the most important game of the season. His left cannon of a foot, his remarkably improved heading and his race-car pace will surely put Atletico's defenders on alert for large spells of the game. 

Benzema is having his best season in the white shirt in terms of goal scoring, and despite his latest injury layoffs, he will remain an essential element in Real's offensive game on Saturday; both Bale and Ronaldo thrive on the spaces he provides, given he is fit of course. 

Ronaldo has scored 16 goals on his own and needs to score twice in the final in order to beat the record he set himself two years ago; more-than-enough motivation. He too however is not in tip-top shape following some niggling thigh injuries, but no one can imagine the final without him. If there is one man who can score from the scarce opportunities to be offered by Atletico, it is Cristiano. 

This is BBC: Real's Major Strike Force

Although the BBC trident is theoretically too much for Atletico to handle, the Rojiblancos have put even better offensive lines at bay in the previous two rounds of the tournament. And given the aforementioned injuries, the famous trident is simply not enough to hurt the Atletico fortress. Indeed, the assistance of both full-backs, Carvajal and Marcelo, in addition to that of Kroos and Modric, is quite a huge boost for the attacking fortunes, however it is those sitting on the bench that might just make the difference for Real when things get rather ugly. 

James Rodriguez's fall from grace was the last thing expected from his second season in Madrid. He has failed to convince both Benitez and Zidane for a starting place and his performances this season are worthy of his current position: the bench. The same can be said of Isco, although to a lesser degree. The talented Spaniard never fails to showcase his wonderful skills whenever he touches the ball. Tricks and dribbles rarely win you a football match these days however, and all current starting midfielders and attackers deserve their places more than Isco. 

Despite all these facts, the duo remain two very valuable cards for Zidane to call upon from the substitutes' bench and can change the course of the game with one shot or one pass. Their future in the club and the sport as a whole hugely depends on how they perform during the minutes they will be given.

Other solutions include the pacy Jese, the versatile Kovacic and most importantly, the unsung hero and this season's prodigy Lucas Vazquez. For that, Zidane has many more options to tinker with in his formation than his counterpart, and that is no small advantage at all.

One Last Dance: Isco and James's Final Chance to Shine

Lucas to the Rescue: Vazquez is Real's Undisputed 12th Man

5. The Spirit of La Decima: A Leaf out of Atletico's Book

If there is only one lesson that Atletico Madrid has taught every football team on the planet throughout the past few seasons, it is that having a fighting spirit and a strong belief can indeed compensate for the individual, technical, physical and economical disadvantages that smaller clubs suffer from. 

Atletico have won every major competition under Simeone's guidance, except for the Champions League. This time, they are much stronger than two years before. They have eliminated Barca and Bayern on their way to the final, and whether they publicly admit it or not, Atletico players and fans alike have vengeance in their sight, as they will never forget how Sergio Ramos rose in the final moments and headed the ball in to clinch a last-gasp draw and change the course of the game.

That's why Real should raise their spirits and be on optimum motivation levels to keep Atletico on the ground. The prospect of achieving La Undecima in a season that looked all but lost just a few months ago is in itself a huge challenge that every squad member should aim to take on. Also, beating Atletico after so many games of suffering against them should make their adrenaline levels soar the moment they enter the pitch. Real have more reasons to win the trophy; they are seeking their 11th while Atletico aim for their first after all.

92.48: Ramos's Miraculous Header is Eternal

Let the ball roll then, and let us see if Real really have what it takes to tame Atletico's lions.

Hala Madrid.