Gabi Key in Atleti's Bid to Avenge 2014 Champions League Final Loss

A little over two years ago, Real Madrid faced off against Atletico Madrid to contest the Champions League final. On Saturday, the pair resume rivalries to fight it out to determine who is Europe’s best club team. The 4-1 defeat in Lisbon will have hurt, particularly with the manner of the loss. Having led for 93 minutes, Sergio Ramos’ header took the tie to extra time before Real Madrid picked off the Colchoneros at a whim. 

“You have to take the positives from defeats like that and learn where you need to improve,” centre-back Diego Godin, who netted the opening goal in the 2014 Champions League final, said this week. Indeed, the Uruguayan has a key role to play once more at the heart of the Atletico backline as they aim to maintain their defensive solidity in a bid to land European glory. 

His task will be made all the easier with the players in front of him, and none more so than unsung hero Gabi. The Atletico captain has been a pivotal member of the Atletico team in their progression to the final as one might expect, with his WhoScored rating in the competition (7.45) among the best of all players at the club. The experience and reassurance he brings to Diego Simeone’s side is a huge bonus, particularly with mental fortitude a key element in their successful game plan. 

Atletico spend a vast majority of games on the back foot, soaking up pressure before hitting opponents on the counter attacker. When carried out successfully this style of play is hugely effective, though to have the desired effect, requires a huge amount of concentration and a willingness to routinely sit back and defend wave after wave of opposition attack. It’s a tough ask for any team to remain extremely disciplined but as Atletico have proven in the past, and Leicester in their Premier League title win, it’s hugely profitable when carried out. 

Gabi’s experience, therefore, is vital in the middle of the park. His composure when on and off the ball allows for Atletico to successfully defend opposition attacks, before springing counter attacks to devastating effect. It’s no surprise then that the 32-year-old is Simeone’s captain on the pitch given his influence. 

The midfielder has made more tackles (38) than any other player in the Champions League this season, highlighting his impact when Atletico aren’t in possession. Given Simeone’s side remain compact when not on the ball, it shows just how far across the midfield Gabi operates. Usually starting on the right of the central midfield pair in a 4-4-2, he provides the ideal cover, not only for the centre-backs by right-back Juanfran. Considering the defences’ necessity to force opponents out wide to put crosses into the box, a player of Gabi’s quality to provide protection on the right is all the more vital. 

Of course, the attacking threat from wide is routinely contained with ease. In Diego Godin and Gimenez, Simeone has at his disposal two centre-backs more than capable of dealing with crosses into the box; the duo between them have made 9.5 clearances per game in the Champions League this season. Yet, they can’t always be called on to alleviate pressure on Jan Oblak’s goal. As commanding a trio as they are, the midfield is vital. The wingers track back to help the defence, but the commander-in-chief remains Gabi. 

His battling spirit and hugely impressive reading of the game - both underrated traits of his - allows for Atletico to sit back and defend, with Gabi effectively the embodiment of manager Simeone, what with their commanding presence and tenacity from the the manager’s playing days similar. Gabi’s effect off the ball should not mask his effective distribution qualities when in possession. 

Only Tiago (67.2) - who recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff - has played more passes per game than Gabi (66.3) of all Atletico players in the Champions League this season. Of outfielders, meanwhile, only the Portuguese midfielder (6) has averaged more accurate long balls than his Spanish teammate (4.5) of all players at the club in Europe’s elite competition this term. 

Gabi’s ability to pick out a teammate is again crucial in Simeone’s game plan coming to fruition. When Atletico win the ball, they break forward at speed, mostly maximising the pace of Antoine Griezmann or Fernando Torres’ hold up play to either hit teams on the counter or ease the danger on Oblak’s goal. As a result, Gabi’s distribution is a huge asset and will be vital once more in Saturday’s final. 

While Griezmann, Koke and Godin, to name three, each rightly earn the plaudits; Gabi is an unheralded star in the side, at least outside of Madrid. Yet without him, Atletico’s approach is stunted. In Milan, one can expect Gabi to be at the forefront of every defensive move in the middle of the park or instigate attacks when he wins the ball for his side. Real Madrid can’t take the experienced midfielder lightly or run the risk of missing out on La Undecima.

How big an impact will Gabi make in Saturday's Champions League final? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below