Real Madrid and Juventus battle for the big prize
Real Madrid and Juventus are European soccer royalty, but they faced each other only once in a Champions League final — in 1998. This year’s game looks like a classic offense-defense matchup, with Madrid’s high scoring attack looking to solve a Juventus defense that allowed only one goal in the knockout stages.
Here’s what we know about the game.
Where are they playing?
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, which is hosting the final for the first time.
What’s on the line?
Real Madrid is hoping to claim a record 12th European title; no other club has more than seven.
A victory would give Madrid back-to-back titles, which no team has accomplished since Milan in 1989 and ‘90, when the tournament was known as the European Cup.
Juventus has dominated the Italian league, winning six straight domestic titles, but has not won the Champions League since 1996.
How did the teams do this year?
Real Madrid won the Spanish league for the first time in five years, edging archrival Barcelona by 3 points, but managed only second in its Champions League group stage, finishing behind Borussia Dortmund.
In the knockout stage, Real Madrid eliminated Napoli and then Bayern Munich in extra time. It advanced to the final by knocking out its crosstown rival Atlético Madrid in the semifinals.
Juventus won the double again in Italy, a sixth straight league title and a third straight cup victory. In 12 Champions League games, including knockout wins over Porto, Barcelona and Monaco, Juventus is unbeaten and has surrendered only three goals.
A look at the key duels in the Champions League final
Here’s a look at the duels that could be decisive when Juventus and Real Madrid meet in today’s Champions League final.
One of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time will be trying to stop one of the greatest forwards.
Gianluigi Buffon, the 39-year-old Juventus veteran seeking his first Champions League title, takes on Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid star trying to win the title for the third time in four seasons.
Ronaldo has gotten the best of Buffon so far, scoring five goals in his four games against the Italy goalkeeper. His last two goals were in the 2015 Champions League semifinals, but it was Buffon’s Juventus which ultimately advanced to the final.
It will be Buffon’s third Champions League final. His previous finals ended in losses to Barcelona in 2015 and to AC Milan in 2003.
Ronaldo, the reigning world player of the year, won the Champions League with Manchester United in 2008 and with Madrid in 2014 and 2016.
The veteran Brazilian fullbacks thrived with their clubs this season. They will be playing on the same side of the pitch today, attacking and defending against each other.
The 29-year-old Marcelo, the skillful left back who has been playing with Madrid for more than a decade, will be trying to win his third Champions League title.
The 34-year-old Alves, the sharp right back who joined Juventus from Barcelona this season, will be seeking his fourth trophy in Europe’s top club competition. He won three with Barcelona.
They have been longtime teammates in Brazil’s national team and are expected to be starters under coach Tite in next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Gonzalo Higuain, who moved to Juventus from Napoli for an Italian-record 90 million euros, gets a chance to prove his worth against former Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos.
The two played together in Madrid from 2007-13 and Higuain said they still maintain contact.
Higuain, the overpowering Argentine striker, had a solid season with 24 goals in the Italian league and five in the Champions League.
Ramos, one of the stars for Madrid in the last two European finals won by the club, excelled in defense and offense, finding the net 10 times in all competitions this season for his best scoring mark of his career.
Ramos scored a 93rd-minute equalizer in the 2014 final against Atletico Madrid to extend the game into extra time. Last year, he scored in regulation and converted a penalty kick in the shootout won by Madrid, also against Atletico.
Ramos and Higuain won three Spanish league titles together with Madrid.
It will be youth against experience as Juventus’ Paulo Dybala goes against Real Madrid veteran Luka Modric.
The 23-year-old Dybala has made an impact on the international stage this season, so much that he even earned comparisons with compatriot Lionel Messi.
He attracted plenty of attention by scoring twice in the quarterfinals against Barcelona, and days later he was given a new contract that will keep him in Turin until 2022.
The hard-working Modric endured a series of injuries that sidelined him during parts of the season, including a left-knee ailment that required arthroscopic surgery in December.
But the 31-year-old Modric remains a key piece in Madrid’s midfield, providing the first line of protection to the defense and often threatening in attack with his precise assists and long-range shots.
Two former players, Massimiliano Allegri and Zinedine Zidane will be operating from the sidelines today, each trying to win one last trophy in what has been a remarkable season for both clubs.