3 reasons Real Madrid will win the Champions League

Spanish clubs are on the verge of setting the record for consecutive times a country has won the Champions League trophy, as either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid will become the third Liga side to hoist the coveted trophy after Saturday's clash at the San Siro.

While it's a feat the nation can be proud of, at least half of the Spanish capital will be devastated by Saturday's outcome.

Historically, the pain is usually reserved for Atletico supporters who've lived in Real's shadows for decades. It's a tradition that never looked like it would let up until Diego Simeone took charge and guided the team to the Liga title in 2014.

But success in Europe was halted by Real Madrid in the same year with a thorough 4-1 triumph. It's a result Los Blancos are fully capable of achieving again as Zinedine Zidane and his men look to deliver Real fans their 11th European crown.

Here's a look at three reasons why Real will win Saturday:

BBC's return to form

Simply put, Real's success in the final depends on the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema.

It sounds straightforward - and terribly obvious - but recent history tells a different tale as the trio struggled mightily against Atletico throughout the 180 minutes Real spent this season squaring off against Simeone's men.

Only Benzema has found the back of the net during the two matches, which Atletico came away from with four points to extend its unbeaten run against Real in the league to six matches.

But the lethal trio appears to be back on track after Real's strong finish to the season, which saw them score a combined 15 goals in the final seven contests to close the season.

The interplay, creativity, and ability to score form just about anywhere on the pitch is a task that will ask a lot of Atletico's back line, despite the team's success versus the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the competition.

As Atletico defenders close down the passing lanes and suffocate Real's midfield with unrelenting defensive pressure, it's vital for the trio to find open space with smart off-the-ball movements. That way they can relieve the pressure and thwart the disciplined back line with piercing runs.

Mental edge

As previously stated, Atletico owns Real in La Liga. However, it's a completely different story on the European stage.

Success in the league means nothing at this point ahead of such a crucial encounter.

Atletico looks to pick up the victory so it can finally add the Champions League trophy to its cabinet after two failed attempts, but the disappointment after the 2014 final is still fresh. As is the two matches that followed when Real Madrid knocked Atleti out during the knockout stage during the 2014-15 campaign.

Limit the counter

Atletico's proven it doesn't need to win the possession battle to produce a victory. Simeone's squad is more than comfortable allowing opponents to retain the ball, which often leads to turnovers and allows Atletico to launch its potent counter-attack.

It's a tactic that's worked wonders for the club but, as Bayern Munich displayed, it's a strategy that has its flaws.

Similar to the German giants, certain Real players will have to break the mould and show a willingness to venture away from their assigned positions in order to disrupt Atletico's defensive scheme.

The likes of Ronaldo, Bale, Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos (if he starts) are the primary candidates capable of compromising defensive assignments with runs into open pockets on the pitch before Atletico can figure out a solution.

Successfully exploiting the open space and constantly forcing Atletico to reorganize - as Bayern did in its second-leg victory, despite eventually getting knocked out on away goals - could prove successful. If it works, Zidane will hoist the Champions League crown during his first season in charge, and for the first time since accomplishing the feat in 2002 as a player.