Real Madrid's trip to Atletico Madrid on Saturday represents the first opportunity for Los Rojiblancos to get one over their rivals since the 2016 Champions League final, but Juanfran insists that he's overcome the defeat. It was the right-back who missed the penalty shootout spot-kick that allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to seal the cup and condemn Atleti to a third silver medal in the competition. "What happened in Milan remains a wound," Juanfran told COPE. "I'll always be a different player and I've worked hard psychologically. "If we get a penalty [on Saturday], someone else can take it."
There will no doubt be a great atmosphere around the Estadio Vicente Calderon on the weekend with the historic venue hosting its final derby, with the defender looking forward to claiming all three points. "It will be the last derby at the Calderon and there will be a special feeling for us and we think that we'll win, we only think about that," said Juanfran. "Since [Diego] Simeone arrived, we now believe that we can beat Real Madrid." Both sides are suffering from a number of injury worries, but Antoine Griezmann's fitness is of no concern to the Spaniard. "I asked Griezmann if he'll play and he said yes," he asserted.Juanfran's missed penalty may have cost Diego Simeone's side an historic first European Cup in last Saturday's final against Real Madrid but the right-back's stock at the Vicente Calderon has never been higher.
Support for the 31-year-old has continued to flood social media networks after he wrote a heartfelt message to Atletico fans following his moment of anguish in the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. That show of affection has expanded into other areas as the popularity of his number 20 has skyrocketed in the days following the Milan final. Since Monday, sales of Juanfran shirts at the club's official shop have multiplied eight-fold, which has elevated him to a similar level of demand enjoyed by best-sellers Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann and Koke. Rarely has a shirt worn by losing finalists and bearing the name of the player responsible for the loss been so popular.
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