These two teams have only met once before in the European Cup or Champions League. That was in 1959 at the semi-final stage, and the tie proved a tight one. Real won the first leg 2-1 at the Bernabeu, though they had to come from behind, Chuzo opening the scoring on 13 minutes, Héctor Rial levelling it up two minutes later, and Ferenc Puskás putting away a penalty on 33 minutes to seal the win. Atlético won the second leg at the Estadio Metropolitano thanks to Enrique Collar's 43rd-minute goal. That meant a replay at La Romareda in Zaragoza, with Real prevailing 2-1, Alfredo di Stefano opening the scoring, Collar equalising, and Puskas restoring his side's lead before the break. Four successive finals for Real, that made it.  No joy for Atlético in the domestic head-to-head either, with Real winning 102 league and cup games to Atlético's 46. And this season, while Atlético enjoyed the better of it in La Liga with a win at the Bernabeu and a draw at the Vicente Calderón, Real won a two-legged Copa del Rey tie 5-0 on aggregate. Po' Atlético! Po Atlético's a-cold!  Having said all that: it's Atlético who are used to winning stuff right now. Not only do they have this year's Spanish league in the bag, they're also confident on the continent, having won the Europa League in 2010 and 2012.  Of course, the most relevant information will come with this evening's team sheets. Diego Costa has been rolling around in vats of horse placenta all week, while mainlining horse placenta smoothies, in the hope of repairing a hamstring tear. Atlético are also sweating on the state of Arda Turan's pelvis. Real, meanwhile, already without the idiotically suspended Xabi Alonso, are concerned about the fitness of Pepe and Karim Benzema. Much may depend on all this. Or maybe nothing will. To be honest, we're just filling in time with inane waffle, it's what you have to do on the internet these days it seems.  Anyway, the most important news is that Atlético, nominally the away side tonight, have been given special dispensation to wear their famous first-choice red-and-white shirts and blue shorts. Well, well, a good decision by Uefa. Atlético's shirts will sport a subtle reference to Luis Aragonés, who died in February and would have won the 1974 final for Atlético had Schwarzenbeck not did his thing. Real will, of course, be in their renowned all-white clobber. A classic look for all: it's a good start for our hopes of a classic final.
Minute-by-minute report: Will Real finally get their hands on their tenth title, or will Atlético complete a famous La Liga  and Champions League double? Join Scott Murray to find out!