Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute equalising header in 2014 snatched a maiden European Cup from their grasp, and Atletico were overpowered 4-1 in extra time. The fatigue from a gruelling season had finally caught up with them.
Seven days before that final, Atletico had played an energy-sapping 1-1 draw with Barcelona to clinch their first La Liga title in 18 years, and celebrations continued into the next week. Real had an extra week to prepare.
“When they equalised, we knew it was going to be really difficult for us because of our physical state and we were going to struggle,” Gabi, the Atletico captain, said recently. “Real were the better team in extra time.”