Xabi Alonso is out on the pitch with a brew. The former Liverpool man is suspended for Real Madrid tonight - a major loss. Is there a better passer around? Still? A class act.

BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty in Lisbon

Image source, AP

"Madrid has descended on Lisbon for tonight's Champions League Final at The Stadium of Light. Real are chasing "La Decima" - their 10th win in the competition - while Atletico attempt to embellish their remarkable transformation by adding to their first La Liga in win 18 years.

"Atletico were revelling in their role of underdogs as the teams fulfilled their final media duties on Friday night - but midfielder Tiago reflected their faith in coach Diego Simeone when he said: "For all of us and the club he is like a god.

"If he asks us to go and jump from the bridge we jump. He knows a lot about football and we follow him. We are very proud to have him as our coach."

"A few yards along the technical area, Real counterpart Carlo Ancelotti will be attempting to match Liverpool's Bob Paisley by winning the trophy for the third time.

"Lisbon has been alive with colour today, with even a few Bayern Munich fans - obviously hoping to be watching their own team try to retain the trophy - in evidence in the main square."

Image source, Getty Images

Ryan Bertrand, Sulley Muntari, Wes Brown and Djimi Traore have all won the Champions League since a man in a Real Madrid shirt lifted the trophy. All good pros - but the best in Europe?

Who is the worst player you've ever seen win a major honour? A passenger in a gifted side. Or alternatively, who is the best player to miss out on the big prizes?

Let us know. You can text in your suggestions of footballing misfits to 81111 (UK Only), tweet us using #bbcfootball, external, or post a message on our Facebook, external and Google+, external pages.

Chelsea have started the summer transfer business early after agreeing a £40m deal to sell defender David Luiz to French champions Paris St-Germain.

But who is coming in? Two of Atletico's key players may be on their way to Stamford Bridge, depending on what you read.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is already a Chelsea player and may finally return to London after years out on loan at Atletico. But will Chelsea prefer to keep faith with Petr Cech? It's a tough call for Jose Mourinho.

At the other end of the pitch, Chelsea are expected to re-invest most of that Luiz cash on Diego Costa. Will Jose finally have a top, top class striker?

Real Madrid have tried and failed on 12 occasions to reach the Champions League final since beating Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

Madrid have been through some players since then but one thing remains the same - they'll be packed with class.

Image source, Getty Images

Twelve years ago it was Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Raul, Figo, Fernando Hierro, Claude Makelele and (as subs) Iker Casillas and Steve McManaman.

This year it could be Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Angel Di Maria, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and - maybe Casillas once more.

Should Carlo Ancelotti win the trophy tonight he will join former Liverpool boss Bob Paisley on three European Cup wins. His other two both came with AC Milan.

BBC World Service reporter Steve Crossman in Madrid: "At the Vicente Calderon, home of Atletico Madrid, fans have been queuing for the last remaining tickets for a big screen showing at the stadium.

"50,000 plus are expected inside. It'll be a sell out, these guys have got their tickets but others will be disappointed."

Both team buses have arrived at the Estadio da Luz. The sun is out, Cristiano Ronaldo has his shades on. It's almost game time.

Please can we have a classic?

Carlos Queiroz, Jose Antonio Camacho, Mariano Garcia Remon, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, Fabio Capello, Bernd Schuster, Juande Ramos, Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho have all had a go at winning the European Cup for Real Madrid since Vicente del Bosque last did it in 2002.

Is Carlo Ancelotti the answer? He's halfway there having reached the final.

BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty in Lisbon

"Real would love to claim "La Decima" at their neighbours' expense in a show of what they regard as their superiority - and that is one of many reasons why Atletico want to take this opportunity to show they are Madrid's finest."

The Champions League final is always massive.

But tonight may have an added edge - it's a Madrid derby transported to Lisbon. This is the 17th time that two teams from the same country meet in a European final, and the fifth in the European Cup.

It's the second year in a row as well, after Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund at Wembley last May.

Real Madrid may have the history, the glamour and the world's two most expensive players - but Atletico may have the form.

Diego Simeone's side pipped both Real and Barcelona to win La Liga last weekend, a truly superb achievement. And they've disposed of Chelsea, Barca and AC Milan en route to this final.

Underestimate Los Rojiblancos at your peril...

Image source, Getty Images

It's been 12 long years since Zinedine Zidane scored that goal at Hampden Park. A barely believable, almost impossible marriage of poise, technique, grace and power to smash a hip-high volley into the top corner from 20 yards and give Real Madrid their ninth European Cup win.

Image source, Getty Images

Twelve years, 11 managers and millions and millions of euros of investment later, Real's quest for 'La Decima' - the 10th title - goes on.

Tonight Carlo Ancelotti can make history with his third Champions League trophy. He can become a Madrid legend.

Alternatively, he could lose to city rivals Atletico and get sacked.

Lisbon awaits. Are you set?