Ronaldo confident of Spanish Cup success

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is confident his side can end the season with victory in Friday's Spanish Cup final against local rivals Atletico.



The capital city's rival teams meet at the Bernabeu, with both sides seeking their first silverware this year.

"If we play to our potential, and stick to what we do well, I think we will win,"the 28-year-old said.



While Real have struggled this season, the Portugal international has scored 52 goals for them in all competitions.

Ronaldo's formidable scoring record holds good in derby games - he has scored eight times in the fixture since he joined Real from Manchester United for a world-record £80m fee in 2009.

He continued: "I am going to try to help my team-mates in the best way possible - I am going to try to score.

"I am sure we will be prepared for the occasion."

Real are in second place in the table, nine points and one place ahead of Atletico.

In an underwhelming campaign, they have easily surrendered their league title to Barcelona, and exited the Champions League at the semi-final stage losing 4-3 on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund after a 4-1 defeat in the home leg.

With speculation continuing to link head coach Jose Mourinho with a return to Chelsea, the final of the Copa del Rey could ensure his reign ends on a high.

Recent record

The Portuguese has endured a trying third season in Madrid, with rumours of clashes with players after captain Iker Casillas was left out of the side in January.

He will also be troubled by the absence of promising centre-back Raphael Varane, whohas been ruled out following knee surgery this week.

Atletico come into the game without a win in the fixture since October 1999. During that spell, they have lost 19 times and drawn six.

This season in the league, Atletico lost 2-0 to Real at the Bernabeu and 2-1 at Vicente Calderon in their most recent meeting on 27 April.

"Of course our fans don't like the situation, but I don't think it will influence the match,'' Atletico forward Diego Costa said.

"We know it's a final and we have to be at our best to win. The key is to stick together as a great team and for each one of us to give it his all."

Despite that poor form, in Radamel Falcao they boast a goalscorer to rival Ronaldo. The Colombian has netted 28 times in the top flight this season, as well as scoring in two Europa League finals earlier in his career.


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