May 24, 7:30 p.m.
There was just over an hour left before the match began.
The stands of Lisbon's Stadium of Light were already packed, while tens of thousands of fans were still lining up at the various entrances and filing into the stadium.
An hour later, the Champions League Final that had captured the world's attention would ignite the battle inside this stadium.
Atletico Madrid Head Coach Simeone had been standing in Atletico Madrid's half, watching his players train on the pitch. His brows were tightly furrowed, especially whenever his gaze fell on his star striker, Diego Costa.
Diego Costa had not joined the team's group training. Instead, he was training alone on the side. Yet he was the team's most important player. Not only did a coach and a team doctor remain by his side, but the media reporters at the pitch and the fans in the stands—even his opponents—were paying close attention to his every move.
Could Diego Costa play?
That was the biggest question mark before the match.
As Simeone had said at the pre-match press conference the night before, Diego Costa was Atletico Madrid's "Yang Yang."
He had not meant to compare Diego Costa with Yang Yang, but rather to compare their roles and contributions to their teams.
After the training session ended, Simeone quickly walked over to Diego Costa.
"How is it?" Simeone asked with concern.
Diego Costa jogged quickly in place and nodded. "It feels pretty good. It shouldn't be a problem."
Only then did Simeone let out a slight sigh of relief. After offering Diego Costa a few more words of reassurance, he gestured for him to hurry back and rest.
The team doctor soon came over and reported Diego Costa's latest condition.
"It's the same as when we played Barcelona. He