Former striker Predrag Mijatovic has backed Gareth Bale to "save Real Madrid's season" by scoring in the Champions League final.
The 10-time European champions will lock horns with city rivals Atletico Madrid in Saturday's decider in Milan, a rematch of the 2014 final in which the Wales international scored as Los Blancos won 4-1 after extra time.
It has been another difficult season for Madrid, having watched Barcelona retain their La Liga crown and failed to make it past the last 32 in the Copa del Rey, with Rafael Benitez replaced by Zinedine Zidane as coach in January.
But Mijatovic, who spent three years at the Santiago Bernabeu and scored the winning goal in the 1997-98 Champions League final, believes Madrid have a born matchwinner in their ranks, with Bale having also scored in the 2014 Copa and Club World Cup finals.
"There are players that are born with a gift for scoring in finals; it can't just be a coincidence," the 47-year-old said via Marca.
"He's a great player and has scored in them all, let's hope it continues."
Mijatovic added: "Real Madrid need to win to save their season.
"If they don't it would be a second consecutive disappointing season, which would be worrying."
'People will remember us because we got to No.1 in the world rankings and achieved great things - but our biggest regret is that we didn’t win anything': Ex-Everton star Kevin Mirallas opens up on 'honour' of being part of nation's golden generation
‘I’m sure we’d have finished in the top four or five if he hadn’t joined Chelsea in January. Him leaving damaged the team, but we couldn’t stand in his way’: Alan Curbishley reflects on failed Champions League dream after selling key player
