'Atletico more ready than two years ago'

Former Atletico Madrid winger Francisco Narvaez Kiko feels the capital football club is now more ready for Saturday's Champions League final, compared to 2014 when it team lost the Champions League final 1-4 to Real Madrid in Lisbon.

"I see Atletico is more ready now. Two years ago Arda Turan had some problems and Diego Costa was injured. But now, I feel the team is better, physically and mentally," Kiko said.

Kiko, who won the double with the Rojiblancos, said that he felt inspired when he saw the squad picked by Argentine coach Diego Simeone, and noted that 2014 will act as a good experience for the team to deliver a better performance on Saturday, reports Efe.

He added that Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and Simeone have similar methods, and there is a chance that the final will not feature many goals.

Kiko also stressed that he expects Atletico forward Fernando Torres to provide a superior performance in the final in Milan, as he is currently enjoying a good position, on both sporting and physical levels.

--IANS

pur/vm