Get In The Know Ahead Of The Champions League Final

Looking to kill time at work? Going to a Champions League party and need to get in the know? Are you anxiously awaiting the Madrid Derby in the UCL Final and need every bit of content surrounding the match? We got you covered on all fronts.

Our esteemed staff here at The18 has given responses to the biggest questions ahead of the Champions League final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Call us idiots, call us geniuses, just be ready for takes so hot that they'll leave you wishing you were dining with the Night's King from Game of Thrones. Let's meet the lads.

What matchup intrigues you the most?

Ivan Anich: If he plays, Ronaldo against Atletico's defense, which will likely be tuned in to stopping him more than anyone else.

Bryce Badwan: It has to be Atletico Madrid's defense holding firm against Real. You know possesion will favor Los Blancos, and Atleti will have to take advantage of their opportunities. Specifically, I will be watching Godin and Gimenez in the central defense.

Sam Klomhaus: Real's defense vs. Atletico's offense.

Giorgio Ausenda: The coolest matchup is probably Zizou V. Simeone. Same generation of football and similar career (in European clubs). The two have shined on the field a decade ago and are still under football's most important lights.

James Hansen: BBC vs Atletico defense. Specifically, Juan Fran and Felipe Luis vs Ronaldo and Bale.

Connor Fleming: The tactical nuance of Diego Simeone, a manager whose reached this stage before, versus Zinedine Zidane, a manager whose still very much in the beginning stage of his coaching career.

Which manager do you have more faith in?

IA: Simeone. I don't think he's the overwhelming favorite to win, but I do think that he will get Atletico to impose their identity on the game.

BB: Going with Simeone here. Zidane has some magic, but in terms of belief and inspiring his team, it's a no brainer. 

SK: Simeone.

GA: Diego Simeone called San Siro and Milan his home for years. He is not new to the turf and atmosphere. Coudl this help him boost the troops' morale? San Siro is and has always been the enemy's den for Zizou.

JH: Simeone. Zidane is still a relative rookie in management. Simeone's tactical setup is nothing short of genius.

CF: Diego Simeone. He's shown the know-how to get past Barcelona and Bayern Munich in this year's competition. Zidane and Real Madrid's path against Roma, Wolfsburg and Manchester City pales in comparison. As Koke said, "Zidane's been in the job for five months, Simeone, five years."

What does Real Madrid have to do to win?

IA: Remain patient. Atletico's defense is going to show up, it always does. Real Madrid needs to not get discouraged when 9 possessions out of 10 lead to nothing.

BB: Be Real Madrid. Play like you are Real Madrid. Frustration will set in while continuously coming up empty against a stout defense, just keep hammering and let your stars do what they do best. 

SK: Ronaldo and Navas have to be as good as they can be

GA: Be Real Madrid! Bale, Ronaldo & co. are in good shape.

JH: Atletico are going to limit Real to a handful of chances, so they have to be clinical with the opportunities they do get.

CF: Ronaldo will have to prove that he is actually at 100 percent. Without a fully fit Ronaldo, Real will struggle to breakdown the Atletico defense.

What does Atletico Madrid have to do to win? 

IA: Be disciplined. I don't think Atletico wants extra time or penalty kicks, the former favors the attacking depth that Real Madrid has and the latter is a lottery Atletico will have little control over. They will want to score, but they won't want the game to get too open. Look for Atletico to treat this game the way it treated both legs against Barcelona and Bayern Munich: organized defense and two or three dangerous counters.

BB: They need to take advantage of opportunities going forward. Rely on the counter attack of Griezmann and Torres that has gotten you to this point. Also stay firm defensively. This is a team that frustrated Barcelona and Bayern Munich. They know Real Madrid well and can handle their firepower better than anyone. 

SK: Counter quickly and effectively.

GA: Listen to Simeone's directives and hope for a good match from el Nino, who at this point isn't actually a "Nino" anymore.

JH: Atletico just have to do what they did to Barcelona. Hold firm and grind out a win. They also need to keep their cool, as discipline problems have been their bane in the past.

CF: Make Real Madrid suffer while keeping eleven men on the field. The Griezmann-Torres partnership should trouble the Real backline.

Is there an underrated player people should keep an eye on?

IA: Antoine Griezmann, the dude's a baller.

BB: For Atleti, I'm going to go with Gabi. He is just a work horse who I think will surely be a key part in their success. For Real, he isn't underrated, but Gareth Bale always seems to be at the end of big moments during his Madrid career.

SK: Navas, who might be the best goalie in the world right now.

GA: Atletico's Gabi. Played a fair share of the competition and dispensed valuable assists for his team.

JH: Casemiro for Real Madrid has been an unsung hero this season, and he'll be crucial in stopping Atletico's counters.

CF: Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo get all the attention for Real, but Luka Modric is one of the classiest players of his generation.

Who will be the man of the match?

IA: Cristiano Ronaldo.

BB: Antoine Griezmann.

SK: Saul.

GA: Cristiano Ronaldo simply has to be himself, but Torres is not new to explosions of energy at the right time. Torres could prove to be Atletico's hero and MVP of the final.

JH: I could see one of Atletico's defense being man of the match. Perhaps Godin, Gimenez or Oblak.

CF:  Antoine Griezmann.

Match prediction and who will score:

IA: Real Madrid 2 - 0 Atletico Madrid, Ronaldo scores both, one early, one late.

BB: Atleti 1-1 in penalties. Griezmann and Ronaldo score. 

SK: 1-0 Atleti, Saul scores.

GA: Real Madrid 2:1 Atletico Madrid. Ronaldo and Torres before Benzema breaks the tie in the second half.

JH: Real 1-2 Atletico. Benzema, Griezmann and Torres to score

CF: 2-1 Atletico. Koke scores first, Griezmann hits the winner. Gareth Bale scores Real's lone goal.