Sorry Real Madrid fans, but as a football romantic, I would love to see Atlético Madrid enjoy a fairytale end to a special season by winning today’s Champions League final in Lisbon.

Diego Simeone’s side have already upset the odds by breaking Real and Barcelona’s stranglehold by clinching the title in La Liga and I wouldn’t bet against them completing a domestic and European double. What a season that would be for Atlético! If they can keep Cristian Ronaldo and Gareth Bale quiet, then I really think that they are in with shout.

Make no mistake, Atlético are a very good side and will have absolutely no reason to be intimidated by their more decorated opponents, who will go in search of their tenth European Cup victory — the mythical “la decima”.

Atlético are a very talented bunch of players led by a fantastic young coach, Simeone. Some people might be surprised by his success and probably still remember him for being the player whom David Beckham kicked to get sent off in England’s second-round match against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup in France.

But as a keen follower of Argentine football, I was well aware of the impressive job he did at clubs like River Plate and San Lorenzo.

I’m sure that Simeone will continue to be linked with some of the game’s biggest clubs, as will several of Atlético’s players, having achieved so much already this season.

One of those players, Diego Costa, who has linked with a big-money move to Chelsea, could miss today’s game because of a hamstring injury.

According to reports, the club have sent their star striker for horse placenta treatment (whatever that is) and he would be a huge loss to Atlético should he not recover in time.

However, good teams make adjustments and Atlético may have to show that they can get a result even without one of their best players. I think for Costa, the biggest thing will be not to miss Spain’s World Cup bid in Brazil, the country where he is from. That has to be his priority.

As for Real, there’s perhaps a bit more pressure on them as they look to win their first European Cup since 2002, when they defeated German side Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow.

I don’t feel that Carlo Ancelotti has anything to prove, though. After all, he’s been a success everywhere he he’s been, although I’m sure the Real supporters will not be satisfied with Ancelotti’s first season unless they can add to their Copa del Rey triumph.

Big games bring out the best in big players and Real have two of the game’s biggest in Ronaldo and Bale. They certainly have to be the favourites.However, I’d love to see Atlético do it, although I’m not saying I will see my wish come true.

It’s always refreshing to see an underdog achieve greatness and I think it would be for the good of football should Atlético prevail.

Atlético aren’t one of the so-called big teams and they haven’t spent the same amount of money as European heavyweights like Real, Chelsea and Manchester City.

So, in that respect, wouldn’t it be great if Atlético wrote another chapter in their wonderful story this season?