Raul Garcia vows to give it everything if selected

Andy West 10:31 24/05/2014
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  • Waiting game: Raul Garcia (l) in training with Thibaut Courtois.

    The man set to replace Diego Costa in Atletico Madrid’s starting lineup admits the opportunity to play in a Champions League final is a “dream come true.”

    Raul Garcia, who has spent six seasons with Los Rojiblancos, is set to come into the starting line-up in place of his team’s leading scorer, who is struggling to overcome a hamstring injury.

    Garcia is probably the closest thing Atletico can offer to a direct replacement for Costa, who has been undergoing strenuous treatment all week in an attempt to overcome the niggling hamstring injury which has significantly restricted his playing time in recent weeks.

    Although Costa took part in Friday’s training session, his availability for the final will be a lastminute decision for Diego Simeone, and Garcia would provide an element of aggression and muscularity that other attacking options – Adrian and Diego Ribas – cannot offer.

    Even if he doesn’t play up front, Garcia’s versatility could see him line up on the right-hand side of midfield if Turkish midfielder Arda Turan fails to recover from a hip injury, and the 27-year-old could not conceal his excitement ahead of the meeting with rivals Real Madrid.

    “For any player it is a dream come true,” said Garcia, who has started nine games in his team’s Champions League campaign and scored four goals. “We will give it everything we have got.”

    Although Real are coming intothe game as favourites, Garcia is confident of his team’s chances of success after his team gained a victory and a draw from their two league meetings with their neighbours this season.

    Arguing that their La Liga title success should ensure Atletico have nothing to be afraid of, Garcia insisted his team-mates should not be daunted by the scale of their challenge, adding: “We know the level we are playing at now.

    “If we keep doing what we have been doing, we will have no problems winning the final.”

    Garcia was also keen to underscore the team ethic which has been a key feature of Atletico’s success this season, recognising the possibility that Atletico may have to wait a very long time for their next opportunity to claim the biggest prize in European football.

    “This is the biggest game in the history of Atletico Madrid,” he said. “I am proud to defend this shirt. More than ever, our confidence and desire will be crucial.”

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