Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 8y

Dani Alves: Atletico Madrid deserve Champions League final win over Real

Barcelona right-back Dani Alves says he hopes Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final because they have "worked hardest" this season.

Atletico have won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Supercup and the Europa League during Diego Simeone's four-and-a-half years as coach, but they have not yet won the Champions League, having lost 4-1 to Real after extra time in the 2014 final.

Los Colchoneros are back in the final this year, having beaten Barcelona and Bayern Munich along the way, and Alves hopes they can become European champions for the first time in their history.

"I want Atletico to win, but not because I want Madrid to lose," the Brazilian said. "I like it when Madrid do not win, of course, but I want Atletico to win as they are the team who has worked hardest.

"They deserve a trophy on this level. Madrid have already won lots of Champions Leagues. I would like [Atletico] to have a prize for their work in these years."

Alves said that much of the coverage in the Spanish media had been unfairly biased towards 10-time European champions Real, adding: "It seems that Madrid have already won the Champions League -- and their opponent deserves respect."

He said Barcelona, who won La Liga and the Copa del Rey this season to add to last year's Treble, remain at the top of the sport.

"I expect to see a great game, but that will not change that we are the best in the world," he said. "We have achieved what nobody else has."

Meanwhile, Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann has told UEFA.com that his side are ready to put in the work required to give themselves the best chance of beating Real and lifting the trophy.

"We're going to be ready," Griezmann said. "We'll remain focused every second of every minute, and give our all like always. We'll run our socks off, look to win the ball back by pressing high, and try to get the first goal. We'll have to be strong both mentally and physically.

"It'd be a dream come true, and I hope I get the chance to lift the trophy. I know it will take a lot of hard work and effort, but we are ready and willing, and we'll do everything we can to win it."

The France forward scored key goals against both Barca and Bayern as Atletico progressed to the final, taking him to seven in the Champions League and 32 in total for his club so far in 2015-16.

"I've had a great season and hopefully it'll end on a high note," Griezmann said. "I'm brimming with confidence, I feel good out on the pitch and have faith in the team to produce a great performance in the final.

"It's important to score in the Champions League and to raise your game to the next level, and I've been able to do that. I try to improve in every match in the Champions League -- it's an important competition -- and I'm hopeful of having a good game in the final and maybe even scoring a goal."

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