Sports Royal rumble
Real Madrid face Juventus as both sides look to make history
As Champions League finals go, they don’t come much more glamorous than Real Madrid versus Juventus. They are two of the most established, well supported and successful clubs on the continent – both hold the record for winning their domestic championships – and make fitting opponents for Saturday’s Champions League climax in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Both have finished as the champions of their leagues this season and both will look to make history in the Welsh capital.
No more so than Real Madrid who stand to become the first team to win back-to-back Champions Leagues since the tournament changed format in 1992. The Madrid side are the record winners of the competition, with last year’s triumph their 11th – four ahead of second-best AC Milan – and they also won the tournament in 2014. Their record in finals of the competition, including its previous existence as the European Cup, is foreboding: played 14, won 11. That’s in stark contrast to their opponents. Juventus have appeared in eight finals and only lifted the trophy twice. They have lost in their last four finals, including being beaten in Berlin by Barcelona two seasons ago.
Weight of History
History may weigh heavy on both sides but that’s not where the game will be decided. Instead, it will be on the pitch and in the dugout. Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane will want to go down as the first coach to retain the trophy since Milan’s Arrigo Sacchi in 1990. If he does, it will be an astronomic rise. The former Juventus and Real Madrid midfielder only took over at the Bernabeu 18 months ago, immediately winning the Champions League and guiding Real to their first league title in five years and another European final in his first full season. Surprisingly, there are still doubts over his coaching ability, but those doubts would be silenced with victory in Cardiff.
Zidane has to outwit Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri, a man who didn’t compare the Frenchman as a player but his equal as a manager. The Italian has been in charge of Juventus for the last three seasons, guiding them to the Serie A title in each of those and to the Champions League final in his debut campaign. The Old Lady have now won the last six Serie A titles but that domestic dominance has not yet translated into continental success. That could change this year in what would be a historic treble for the Turin side.
Old Lady improved
Arguably, Juventus are stronger than their last appearance in the final. They have only conceded once in the knockout stages and kept Barcelona goalless over two legs. Their defense has improved with age and the shrewd acquisition of Dani Alves from the Barcelona side that beat them two years ago. Gianluigi Buffon is 39 and will hope it is third time lucky after losing in 2003 and 2015. If he does triumph, he may be named as the first goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or since Lev Yashin in 1963. Alves, meanwhile, is 34 but has been in the form of his life, responsible for three assists and a goal in the semis, and has also been spoken of as a potential Ballon d’Or winner.
Despite their elder years, they may still be the best in their positions in the world, while the rest of the Juve backline has played their part. Alex Sandro has made the left back spot his own ahead of Patrice Evra, who left for Marseille, while their famed “BBC” trio in the middle – (Andrea) Barzagli, (Leonardo) Bonucci and (Giorgio) Chiellini – has been at its peak. However, Allegri has also played a back four in the Champions League this season and rotated his other defenders. Regardless of the formation or personnel, the end result has usually been frustration for the opposition.
Attack vs Defense?
Allegri’s men will have to stifle Madrid’s own BBC – (Karim) Benzema, (Gareth) Bale and Cristiano (Ronaldo) – should Bale be passed fit for the final. The Welshman will do everything he can to play in his hometown, while current Ballon d’Or holder Ronaldo and Benzema have been in fine form for Real during the season’s run-in, involved in the goals that saw them sweep past Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid to book their spot in Cardiff.
It’s not as simple as attack versus defense, though. Real’s backline has been a key part of their campaign. Brazilian left back Marcelo has arguably been their player of the season, and his battle on the flank against compatriot Alves promises to be fascinating. Elsewhere, Keylor Navas has been a revelation in goal while the center back pairing of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane has impressed. Ramos, in particular, can never be discounted at the other end of the pitch – he scored in last year’s final to take it to extra time, just as he did in the 2014 final.
Strength in depth
As assured as Real have been in defense, Juventus have impressed up front – there is good reason both teams have won their leagues. While the Old Lady’s rear guard gets the plaudits, you can’t win 0-0 and the goals have come from record signing – and former Real Madrid man – Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine arrived in Turin last summer for a large part of the record transfer fee they received for Paul Pogba and he has repaid that in goals. His partner in crime, fellow Argentine Paulo Dybala, has excelled this season and the 23-year-old is being spoken of as a future Ballon d’Or winner – and a future Real Madrid player. That’s typical of how intertwined these teams are and how well those involved know one another. Even on the bench, Real’s Alvaro Morata could have a say against his former club – he equalized against Barcelona in the 2014 final – and it may be from the bench where this game is won and lost. Both sides are European soccer royalty but only one can be crowned the winners. If it lives up to its potential, it could be the best final in years. The 400 million tuning in around the world will certainly hope so, but they are sure to witness history being made.