Madrid to crown Europe’s next kings as Metropolitano hosts Champions League final | OneFootball

On five June, the Metropolitano in Madrid, home of Atlético, will stage the Champions League final. According to L'Équipe, the Spanish capital has already hosted five European finals, in 1957, 1969, 1980, 2010 and 2019. Four were played at the Santiago Bernabéu, one at the then Wanda Metropolitano.

In 1957, holders Real Madrid beat Fiorentina 2-0 at the Bernabéu under the holders-host rule. Fiorentina rejected a night kick-off despite new floodlights, so the 30 May final began at 16:30 before 125,000 in fierce heat. Alfredo Di Stéfano converted a 70th-minute penalty won by Enrique Mateos from a Raymond Kopa pass, and Francisco Gento added a second five minutes later.

In 1969, AC Milan overpowered Ajax 4-1 at the Bernabéu, with Cesare Maldini on Nereo Rocco’s staff. Rinus Michels’ side, led by Johan Cruyff, were smothered by Milan’s tempo. Pierino Prati struck on seven, 40 and 75 minutes, with Angelo Sormani scoring on 67.

In 1980, Nottingham Forest retained the trophy by beating Hamburg 1-0. Despite losing Tony Woodcock to Cologne and Trevor Francis to injury during the season, Brian Clough’s side sat deep and struck early through John Robertson. Kevin Keegan’s Hamburg could not find a way through.

In 2010, Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 on 22 May, 45 years after their previous crown. José Mourinho’s blueprint relied on a cast-iron defence, and there was no Italian on the pitch until Marco Materazzi entered in added time. Diego Milito scored on 35 and 70.

In 2019, Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano in an all-Premier League affair. A debatable penalty for handball by Moussa Sissoko inside two minutes, converted by Mohamed Salah, set the tone, before Divock Origi sealed it on 87. Three weeks after his unlikely brace in the 4-0 comeback against Barcelona, Origi delivered the Reds’ sixth crown.

Source: L'Équipe

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