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.