Two of Europe’s headline acts contest the showpiece final of the Champions League, as Barcelona and Juventus do battle in the Olympiastadion of Berlin. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 04:30 AEST on Sunday morning.
Two giants they may be, but familiar they are not. Twelve years have passed since Barcelona and Juventus two last crossed paths in two Champions League quarter-final legs. The Italians would triumph in that contest, only to later lose the final against domestic rivals AC Milan.
Much water under the bridge has since passed in the fortunes of both clubs since those April 2003 meetings. Juventus was enjoying their time as the ascendant club of Europe, while Barcelona gave little hint to the revolution they were about to unleash later upon the continent.
Barca were holders of only one European title at the time – on Sunday, they compete for the right to keep a European Cup in their Catalan headquarters with a possible fifth success.
Juventus’ reprise as a footballing force has been cited as the rebirth of Italian football’s prestige – so badly damaged following the 2006 Calciopoli scandal. From its nadir in Serie B, Juventus has rebuilt its brand and regained its identity as Italy’s finest domestic club, and now compete for their third major European title.
Given both clubs enjoyed league glory domestically this season, both Luis Enrique and Massimo Allegri will place faith upon their tested methods of success. For Barcelona, see Messrs. Messi, Neymar and Suarez for where Enrique will build his tactics upon. 95 goals is the figure that the South American trio have amassed together in all competitions since Suarez’s arrival from Liverpool, 15 of which comes from the continental tournament.
Yet Barca’s strength is further underlined by the providers Ivan Rakitic and the timeless Andres Iniesta, while being well served in a defensive capacity by Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano. Despite conceding the high tally of 10 goals in Europe this season, Enrique will likely retain Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, rather than be tempted to hand Claudio Bravo his first European appearance for Barca in the final.
With at least five of the starting XI that won the 2011 final likely to start on Sunday, it is a familiar stage Barcelona will compete on, and they will be hardened for it.
Thus the challenge becomes greater for Juventus, who despite boasting the quality of Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Patrice Evra and Carlos Tevez as former Champions League winners, enter Berlin as firm underdogs. The main question for Allegri resides up top, as to whether he keeps Tevez as a lone frontman while focusing more on his defensive formation, or if Alvaro Morata is rewarded for his impact against Real Madrid.
Allegri will likely keep a back four protected by rising star Paul Pogba, with Evra likely to start in place of Giorgio Chiellini, who has been ruled out of a possible reunion against his World Cup nemesis Luis Suarez.
Further emphasis will be placed upon the Chilean Arturo Vidal, whose work is critical to unlocking Barcelona’s defence and denying the ball at the other end for Messi and co to do their work. Juventus will likely opt for a possession-based game, where the tackling of Pogba and creativity of Pirlo is essential.
The final critical component comes from the poignancy of the occasion. It is appropriate Juventus take their place in this year’s showpiece, as it marks 30 years since the fateful 1985 final, where 39 people, mainly Italians, lost their lives in the Heysel disaster. Juventus would go onto win their maiden European crown that day against Liverpool, albeit in the midst of heartbreaking tragedy. The stage is set for a far happier occasion on Sunday, to truly do tribute to the memory of 30 years ago.
While the neutral across the world will harbour a Juventus victory, it is Barcelona who are expected to triumph. Expect a slow-paced patient game that may go to extra time, but with both sets of attack relishing the opportunity to find the net.
Barcelona (expected starting XI): ter Stegen, Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Juventus (expected starting XI): Buffon, Lichsteiner, Caceres, Bonucci, Evra, Pogba, Pepe, Pirlo, Marchisio, Tevez, Morata
Wolly
Roar Guru
Nonna taught me well.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Yes.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Is that last sentence in sicilian?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
You'd have to say that the 3-1 scoreline is an accurate reflection of the game. When Juve squeezed in the equaliser at the 55th through Morata, there was a five to ten minute period which followed where Juve almost looked the equals of Barca, and it genuinely looked like it was going to go down to the wire, but normal transmission resumed shortly afterwards and there was no going back. Barca's front three are difficult to contain at the best of times by even the very best teams, and how often would we see 3 vs 3 or 4 in transition? Plenty. I watched the game with my father, who is not very familiar with Spanish soccer, and it was interesting to hear his thoughts: Iddi hannu nu sistema di jucari cumpletamenti diffirenti.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Xavi gets his medal, and lifts up the European Cup as his final act as a Barcelona player! Thank you for your company, and to all our bloggers and producers who have helped bring the Champions League to you this season. At fulltime in Berlin, it finished Barcelona 3-1 Juventus, with Barcelona winning their fifth European title! Good morning!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
boooooooom !
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
In winning this title, Barcelona join Real Madrid, AC Milan, Liverpool and Bayern Munich as clubs who will have a European Cup never to leave their club. FULLTIME: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
I was wondering why there was no booing :)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Now come the champions Barcelona, whose players come on to receiving their medals. FULLTIME: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus Referees are first to get their baubles for their evening's work. Now Juventus players are graciously clapped by their opponents as they receive their runners-up medals.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Any sign of Sepp Blatter at this event LOLz :)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus Thanks everyone for your company. It was an entertaining, high-octane, and at times short-tempered match, deservedly won by Barcelona on balance. Juventus will rue moments, especially the decision not to receive a penalty moments before Suarez's second, which eventually turned out to be Barcelona's matchwinner. There is a moment there between Xavi and Pirlo - legends both. FULLTIME: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus The players celebrate, as the fifth European title is seized! Xavi exits a champion, Pirlo ends his spell in Italy in tears. Champions they both are. Barcelona got the early lead through Ivan Rakitic, before Juventus finally gained a foothold in the second half, and were given a lifeline via Alvaro Morata, before Luis Suarez reapplied Barca's lead, and to ice the cake, Neymar got his goal with the final kick of the game. It is Barcelona's fourth Champions League crown, and their fifth European title, which means the trophy that will be presented to Xavi will never leave the Camp Nou headquarters. FULLTIME: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+6: How much time remains for Juventus? Buffon takes the goalkick quickly, and now Dani Alves is fouled for handball. Final chance for Juventus, and that should be it as it's cleared. GOAL! ICING ON THE CAKE FOR BARCELONA, AS THE COUNTER IS TAKEN AND NEYMAR FINDS THE SPOT AND BEATS BUFFON! THREE, AND BARCELONA WIN THEIR FIFTH TITLE! We are still playing, but Barcelona are already celebrating with their fans! Indeed, the referee has now blown for full time, and that's that! FULLTIME: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+5: Final involvement for Luis Suarez, who has done his part for the night. 75 million pounds spent to secure him from Liverpool has paid off handsomely on every front for Barcelona. He is off now for Pedro, who has only seconds to play. Barcelona 2-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+4: Corner for Barca, as Messi and Neymar combine to hold possession at their preferred end. 90 seconds remain! Barcelona 2-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+2: Well should we be heading to extra time had things played out the right way? Pogba with a looping run, and then Tevez unfurls an effort outside the box straight at ter Stegen, who has been serviceable at best, you could say. Now Lichsteiner with a poor challenge from behind on Neymar, which aside from the free kick, just eats up more time. Barcelona 2-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Five minutes added! Lifeline for Juventus, but the pressure does not relent for them as Barca continue to apply the pressure! Here is the defensive substitution, as Rakitic is brought off for Mathieu. What an impact by the Croat, as Mathieu comes in defence, with Mascherano to move up to defensive midfield. Barcelona 2-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Marchisio has been at it all night with the long range shots, and he tries again, this time on target, as ter Stegen palms it away for a corner! Cleared by Barca, and we are now in the final minute of normal time, as Mascherano comes in with a vital challenge to dispossess Tevez! Time running out for Juventus! Barcelona 2-1 Juventus
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'87: As Suarez walks off, Juventus restart, and nearly make Barca pay through Pereyra! It was Llorente who got the run on Alves, and the layoff could not be controlled by Pereyra for the shot, as it dribbles harmlessly to ter Stegen! And now Evra clutches at his leg! No reason for him to waste any time, as he falls fouls off the Berlin turf. The Blaugrana flags wave in expectant jubilation, as Evra's work is done, as Kingsley Coman is Juventus' final change. Minutes remaining. Barcelona 2-1 Juventus