I don't call bullshit. Source: watching the game. Mandzukic and Pjanic were done fairly early in the second half, we played that half with a handicap.
With Pjanic who knows what the answer or reason is. I always take the piss out of him for being tired, but that's because he is one of the least athletic sportsmen I can think of. Auschwitz survivors have more imposing physiques, and the guy seems to run himself into exhaustion over a season. He was well on the way to doing it again this season. He puts up decent running numbers, but it's hard to see how much of it is off the ball. For example Pirlo used to do a lot more, even as a 33 year old.
Mandzukic you might remember got injured by a stupid tackle by Mbaye of Bologna in the last league game, and he wasn't ever going to be 100% for the final, but of course we weren't going to make a point of it as it gives a psychological edge. As it turned out he still scored that fantastic goal in the first half, but he was a shadow player second half.
Real Madrid could fall in shit in the CL and get up smelling of roses, but they also make some of that luck. We've never seemed to get it right at the right time, but that 2017 final just had too many things go against us.
You're absolutely right about Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos, of course, because they have that mentality that comes from winning big trophies and tournaments and generally being ruthless assholes on the field. Also it's true that mentality wavers with conceding that goal, but it's doubly difficult if you're carrying players. Tired minds also mean tired bodies, when you're winning that adrenaline pulls you through.