The 14/15 is coming to an end across Europe, and for
football fans, three months of boredom and waiting for club Football again will
begin. But before all that, the biggest
sporting event after World Cup begins.
When the whole world was busy in hyping the first ever El Clasico final in champions League, after the UCL semi-final draws were out. Real Madrid vs Barcelona. But Juve had some other plans in their mind. The plan of making it to the final by overcoming the mighty Real Madrid.
They managed to do so, and On 6th June, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, 75,000 spectators and millions of fans across the globe will watch two of the best teams in Europe Collide. One team has best defense, while the other might possibly have the best attacking trio we’ve seen. The interesting thing about this final is that,Both teams have won the domestic double. whoever wins the final will win the treble. Basically it's the history making night for both the teams. Both teams want to win the treble.
Barcelona’s holy trinity of Messi, Suarez and Neymar will go up against Juventus indomitable Buffon, Vidal and Pirlo with both clubs very well knowing a mistake could cost them dearly, and may result into losing the prestigious Champions League Final.
In the 90’s a Italian versus Spanish finals were a regular feature, with Spanish club winning two and Italian club winning twice. Both Barcelona and Juventus are playing their eighth European/Champions League Final. Juventus have not featured in Champions League Final for eight years, while Barcelona in the meantime have reached the finals in 2006, 2009 and 2011. They’ve won all three.
Defence
When it comes to Defence, Italians are considered the
Pioneers in the department. In the modern era, Defence is considered a lost
art, until Giorgio Chiellini and Leanorado Bonucci are considered. But
the sad news is Giorgio Chiellini has not trained with the team, it is now
almost certain he will miss the Final. He has been pivotal in their success en
route to Final, with Martin Cacares out
Barzagli or Ogbonna will play. On the
flanks, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra both offer experience and
width while attacking. Evra wil be playing his 5th
Champions League final, not bad for a player who was considered a dead weight
in his final season at Manchester United.
Barcelona has no injury to worry about, and their Defensive
record of just 21 league goals conceded in League shows how well Luis Enrique
has done in solving the leaking problem in defence they’ve had for years. The
personnel haven’t changed much, with Jordi
Alba, Dani Alves, Gerrard Pique and Javier
Mascherano. What has changed is the
way they defend, and the area where they were weak the most (Set Piece) has
been solved under the new coach.
Juve seem to be weak in this department since chillini out of the final. therefore Barca edges over.
Juve seem to be weak in this department since chillini out of the final. therefore Barca edges over.
Midfield
Both teams have plethora of class player in this particular
department. However, Juventus hold a slight advantage with Marchisio, Vidal, Pirlo and Paul Pogba. They play a 5 man midfield system which will come in
handy to overrun Barca’s midfield. These players are handworkers as well, we
saw it against Madrid where the midfield worked tirelessly. However pirlo might not have much of ball at his foot but his role is very imporant. His both Off and On the ball work is the key for Juventus.
Barca’s midfield may not have the legs that Juve have, but they do have more players who can provide a lethal final pass with Iniesta, Xavi, Rakitic. Sergio Busquets is key to how they play, he will need to be top of his game, with Vidal hounding him most of the match.
Barca’s midfield may not have the legs that Juve have, but they do have more players who can provide a lethal final pass with Iniesta, Xavi, Rakitic. Sergio Busquets is key to how they play, he will need to be top of his game, with Vidal hounding him most of the match.
This battle is more interesting with two absolute legends of the game Xavi Hernandez (Though he might not start but will come on the pitch in second half) and Andrea Pirlo who will bid adieu to European Football. Two players, who have been a treat to watch, would want to leave in style and lift the Cup one last time.
Both teams have awesome midfields. Juve just edges over Barcelona.
Strikers
This is where Barcelona hold such a huge advantage. The trio of Suarez, Neymar and Messi have been on another level since
January and they look almost unstoppable. How do you stop all three at once? It
is a question that seems to have not been solved yet, but Juventus is not like
the other teams they have faced. Like former bianconeri coach Marcello Lippi said in a recent interview "Barcelona have never faced a side as compact and with such a
defensive capability as Juventus, who also have the ability to attack when they
win the ball.”
Carlos Tevez and Moratta will have to be at their lethal best,
while also doing a lot of defensive work to help out the team.
Well, here there's no doubt. MSN are arguably the most lethal trio the word has ever seen.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-1 Juventus
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