Cristiano Ronaldo says he will be “100 percent” in tomorrow’s Champions League final as he attempts to fire Real Madrid to a record-extending 11th European Cup and further torment their city rivals, Atletico.
 The prolific Portuguese set alarm bells ringing on Tuesday when he ended training prematurely with a knock but was fit to train again the following day.
 Although Ronaldo scored the final goal in Real’s 4-1extra-time win over Atletico in the 2014 final in Lisbon, he has admitted he was far from at his best due to a hamstring problem and is determined to put in a better performance at Milan’s San Siro tomorrow.
 “Cristiano always appears in the games that matter. I’ll be at 100 per cent. On Saturday, I’ll be in better form than I was in Lisbon,” Ronaldo told Spanish television channel La Sexta.
 “In Lisbon, my hamstring was hurting me. It was pretty bad. It was terrible because you know that in certain moments you could give more but you can’t because your body doesn’t
respond.”
 Ronaldo has scored – and been on the winning side – in both the Champions League finals he has played in, having also won in 2008 with Manchester United.
 He is top scorer in this season’s tournament with 16 goals and is one strike away from equalling the record tally of 17 he set in 2013/14.
 Real’s all-time top scorer also gave the club a lift before the final by declaring he wants to stay at Real for the long term.
 “Real Madrid would be making a smart decision if they offered me a new contract,” he added.
 Zinedine Zidane’s men are without defenders Raphael Varane and Alvaro Arbeloa for the game, while Atletico have a clean bill of health.
 It’s a far cry from the dishevelled state in which Diego Simeone’s team arrived at the 2014 final, when they struggled with fitness after a long season and suffered key injuries.
 On their way to that Madrid showdown Atletico won 1-0 at the San Siro. Real, on the other hand, have never won a competitive game at the stadium in 13 attempts.
 Defender Diego Godin says Atletico are in better shape than last time around, and thinks his side’s team ethic, instilled into them by the charismatic Simeone, could prove key to winning their first European Cup.
 Godin told Uefa.com: “Our big secret is the effort the team puts in. The way the whole team works to help the defence is incredible.
 “The forwards - Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann or Yannick Carrasco - are always with us, defending in our box.  “That shows how committed we are as a team, and how much we believe in our style of play.”

Bale feels right at home in Madrid
It took more than two seasons but Gareth Bale finally feels settled at Real Madrid and is dreaming of big things to come.
 The Wales international will play his second Champions League final with Real in three seasons in Milan on Saturday.
 Bale, who moved to Real from Tottenham in September 2013, lifted the European Cup in his first year with the Spanish giants.
 “I feel much more comfortable this year, it’s true,” Bale said to Marca newspaper.
 “You can notice that on the pitch.
 “I feel more integrated, I have more personal relationships with my teammates and that always gives you more happiness and that reflects on my game.
 “I’m enjoying myself a lot in Madrid and I hope this continues for many years.”
 After scoring an equaliser in the Champions League final in 2014 in Lisbon, which saw Real beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 in extra-time, Bale found his second season abroad more challenging.
 Injuries and a drop in form saw the winger end the 2014-15 campaign with 17 goals in 48 games for Real.
 Some critics believed the club had paid too much money in his 91 million euro transfer.
 “It’s true that I went through a difficult spell here but everything has changed,” the 26-year-old Bale said.
 “Now I feel that the fans are with me and that they know that I’m giving my all.
 “I think I’ve proved this season what I’m capable of and the fans are happy with me.”
 Bale has struggled with injuries again but his numbers have improved. Despite being limited to 30 appearances in all competitions for Real, he has scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists.
 “I think my performances have been very good this season but I can still improve a lot,” he said.
 “My plan is clear: improve each season and raise the level of my performances.
 “I want to be better each season and win many titles along the way.
 “I hope on Saturday I can wrap up a great season in the best possible way but knowing that I can still improve.”
 As for his long-term future, Bale said,
“I’m very happy in Madrid and I have three years left on my contract. We will see what happens in the future but my idea is to continue here because I’m very happy.”