The Real Champs
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Three keys to Real Madrid repeating as Champions League winners

By Ben Sundock

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 29: Captain Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid CF holds the trophy behind Cristiano Ronaldo as they offer it to the audience surrounded by their teammates at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium the day after winning the UEFA Champions League Final match against Club Atletico de Madrid on May 29, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid CF is the only European football team with 11 European Cups (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 29: Captain Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid CF holds the trophy behind Cristiano Ronaldo as they offer it to the audience surrounded by their teammates at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium the day after winning the UEFA Champions League Final match against Club Atletico de Madrid on May 29, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid CF is the only European football team with 11 European Cups (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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The Champions League Final is nearly upon us! The teams have now arrived in Cardiff, Wales and have begun their final preparations for the last match of the 2016/2017 campaign. Real Madrid are looking to become the first team in history to repeat as UCL champions, but The Old Lady, Juventus, stand in their way. What will it take for Zinedine Zidane and his men to win their 12th UCL title? Ben Sundock gives you some insight.

(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

The commanding play of Ronaldo

Thanks to his stellar play against Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Malaga, Real Madrid are not only La Liga champions, but they’re in the position to win their second consecutive Champions League trophy, mainly thanks to the phenomenal play of their star, Cristiano Ronaldo, in the last couple of months.

Since March 1st, CR7 has scored 19 goals, adding 3 assists, and earning Man of the Match honors 3 times according to WhoScored.com. If Real Madrid are going to beat one of the best goalkeepers of all-time, Gigi Buffon, and maybe the best back three in Europe, Ronaldo is going to need to create chances.

Karim Benzema hasn’t been the best at creating chances and scoring goal, so it’s going to be up to Ronaldo to draw defenders off Benz and Isco and give them opportunities.

Cristiano has been Mr. Clutch the last month, (yes more than Sergio Ramos), and the success of the team has hinged on the quality of his play. He’s well rested, still as hungry as ever to win trophies, and knows the talent he will be facing on the side.

If Ronaldo can get touches on the wings, or maybe work into the center of the park and get lots of shots on goal, good things will happen. His passing isn’t to be underestimated either. Juventus better keep close tabs on the Portuguese beast.

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