ATLETICO MADRID striker Fernando Torres has insisted he is ready for the game of his life as the Rojiblancos prepare to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
The teams face off in in Milan on Saturday, with Atletico gunning for revenge following their heartbreaking loss at the same stage of the competition two years ago. They were beaten 4-1 in the 2014 final in Lisbon after Sergio Ramos equalised in the third minute of injury-time before three extra-time goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo won the trophy for Real for a 10th time.
Torres has won all seven career finals he made the squad for and scored Spain's only goal in the Euro 2008 final success against Germany and in the 4-0 Euro 2012 final win over Italy, plus Chelsea's 2013 Europa League victory over Benfica.
He also won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, but said Saturday's clash at the San Siro eclipses everything: "Without a doubt, it's the most important, the most special match that I've played in my whole career," said the former Liverpool striker.
"Anything that I can achieve with the club that gave me the opportunity to play football, the club I was a fan of since I was five-years-old, will be different from any other final. I've been lucky enough to win many things with Chelsea, with the Spanish national team, but this is special, it's different.
"Madrid are a great club, they are one of the best in the world, without a doubt. We live in the same city with them and that makes us more eager to fight, very hopeful to get to change history, we have a chance to write a page in the history of Atletico that no one has written yet."
Torres has scored 12 goals this season after returning to the Vicente Calderon last year and was on target in their final two league games as Atletico finished third in La Liga. They ended two points behind Madrid and three adrift of winners Barcelona and are now looking to ensure Madrid end the season trophyless, but boss Diego Simeone insisted they are a different side to the one which lost the 2014 final.
He told reporters at the pre-match press conference: "The club, the players and the base that has been with us for four-and-a-half years manages to reinvent constantly. There are possibly 10 players different from those who were in the [last] final and I think that it is the most valuable thing that this team has. We work to continue growing, keep improving, keep insisting. In the long run, chances arise for those who insist."
Simeone, who has no injury worries, is looking to become just the third non-European coach to win the competition after fellow Argentinians Luis Carniglia (with Real Madrid in 1958 and '59) and Helenio Herrera (with Inter Milan in 1964 and '65).
He added: "Playing a final is something fantastic, winning it is supreme. Everything that involves reaching a final presents you with an experience and the situation to continue preparing to live with those moments.
"It is not easy, you have to work and, as I have said, the best thing is to insist, prepare again, get up, go back to work, reinvent yourself, don't change the structure or the system, don't change the identity or the commitment.
"When you're persistent on what you believe in, you can [do it]."
Five key talking points ahead of the big match in Milan...
BATTLE OF BOSSES
Diego Simeone and Zinedine Zidane met many times as players, with the latter coming out on top more often than not. But on the only occasion they clashed as coaches, Simeone guided Atletico to a 1-0 win, inflicting Real's first defeat since Zidane took over from Rafael Benitez.
Can he repeat the trick and secure a first European crown for Atletico?
CLASH OF STYLES
It's Real's Galacticos versus Atletico's street fighters. It's defence against attack. It's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 50-plus goals in six consecutive seasons, taking on a belligerent Atletico side, who have kept 35 clean sheets this term.
It's the ultimate culture clash and promises to be an enthralling showdown.
REVENGE FOR 2014?
Atletico were seconds away from a shock win over their illustrious neighbours in the final in Lisbon two years ago, when Sergio Ramos equalised in the third minute of stoppage time. Real then steamrollered their neighbours in extra-time, with Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo on target in a 4-1 win.
But Atletico have not lost any of their last six meetings against Real in any competition.
GOOD GRIEZMANN
Atletico's chief goal threat will be France international Antoine Griezmann. When these sides met in Lisbon, Diego Costa and David Villa were the main men up front. But since their departure, Griezmann has stepped up to the plate and hit 44 La Liga goals in two seasons.
Can he fire Atletico to glory in Milan?
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
English clubs may have, once again, failed to each the showpiece, but at least an English referee will be flying the flag. Mark Clattenburg showed some big-game nerves when he failed to play a couple of advantages for Crystal Palace in last week's FA Cup final against Manchester United.
How will he cope in a derby with Europe's biggest prize on offer?