Socrates

Non ci demoralizziamo ora. Cerchiamo il pareggio.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Marotta: 'Juve not here for a cameo' Jun 6, 2015 Juventus director Beppe Marotta warned they are “not here for a cameo, but to win” against Barcelona. The Champions League Final kicks off in Berlin at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT). Follow and join in with our LIVEBLOG. “Andrea Barzagli is in excellent condition and can show all his quality,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. “Of course this is a very satisfying and emotional moment, especially for those like me who are experiencing it for the first time. “However, we are here not for a cameo, but to play our game and win. We achieved an extraordinary and perhaps unexpected target from where we started five years ago, but it is the right reward for the hard work of the directors, players and staff. “We are in the Final, it is a one-off game and anything could happen. If things go our way, we can get the advantage.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Elkann: 'Barca have an off day' Jun 6, 2015 Juventus patron Lapo Elkann hopes Barcelona’s superstars can “have an off day” and revenge on Luis Suarez. “This Juventus team earned the Champions League Final and never gave up, keeping the bit between their teeth when needed,” Elkann told Sky Sport Italia. “The great thing about this team is that, unlike others, it gives hope not just because it wins, but also with carefully balanced books building a squad of great value. “Just think of Paul Pogba, Gigi Buffon and the many stars in this side.” Elkann – an heir to the Agnelli family – admitted he’s more of a fan than a Board member tonight. “Of course we are afraid of Suarez, Neymar and Messi, but everyone can have an off day… “Hopefully what Suarez did to Chiellini, the Juventus squad can do to him.” Chiellini is out injured, but was famously bitten on the shoulder by Suarez during an Italy v Uruguay World Cup game last year.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Line-ups: Juventus-Barcelona Jun 6, 2015 Juventus start Andrea Barzagli, Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata against Leo Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in the Champions League Final. It kicks off at 20.45 CET. This is the Bianconeri’s first Final since 2003, but it is also a return to the Olympiastadion in Berlin, where Italy won the World Cup in 2006. Juve – whose stars Gigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Barzagli were there that day – are in the same locker room they used with the Azzurri to defeat France. Giorgio Chiellini is injured, so Barzagli makes his comeback alongside Leo Bonucci, but has rarely been used in a back four. Patrice Evra gets his reunion with Suarez after the controversy of October 2011, when the then-Liverpool striker received an eight-match ban for racist insults. Morata gets the nod alongside Tevez, with Arturo Vidal sitting in the hole between attack and midfield. Barcelona have a fully fit squad, as Andres Iniesta has recovered from a mild injury scare at the weekend to start. All eyes are on the front three of Messi, Neymar and Suarez, who between them have over 120 goals this season. This will be Xavi’s last appearance in a Barca shirt before he moves to Qatari club Al Sadd, but is on the bench. Some statistics do not look favourably on Juve, who are the underdogs in this clash. They have lost their last three Champions League Finals, not lifting the trophy since 1996, while Barcelona won all of their last three. The most recent defeat for the Azulgrana was 4-0 to Milan in 1994, when once again there was a Spanish Dream Team that everyone expected to win. However, Barcelona have beaten Juve only twice in eight attempts, drawing two and losing four. In the modern Champions League, that record is one draw and one loss. Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra; Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio; Vidal; Tevez, Morata Juventus bench: Storari, Ogbonna, Padoin, Sturaro, Pereyra, Coman, Llorente Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar Barcelona bench: Bravo, Bartra, Adriano, Mathieu, Xavi Hernandez, Rafinha, Pedro Rodriguez

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Zanetti: Juventus Captain Buffon Is The Main Man In Champions League Final Jun 6, 2015 Serie A legend Javier Zanetti believes goalkeeping Veteran Gianluigi Buffon will be the deciding factor in the Champions League final clash between Juventus and Barcelona. The Argentine lifted the trophy for the competition back in 2010 with Inter and is now confident that his once fierce rival, Juventus, will manage to overcome the odds and conquer Spanish giants Barcelona in Berlin, tipping the 37-year-old in-between the sticks to be the main man. “Juve can definitely hurt Barca,” he said in an interview to Sportsmediaset. “The Champions League is such an important occasion and I know that Buffon will be the one who will keep them [Juventus] in the game.” Despite all of the success Buffon has captured in his career, the Italian has never managed to win the Champions League, coming ever so close after losing in the all-Italian final on penalties to AC Milan in 2003.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus vs. Barcelona 2015: Lineups confirmed for UEFA Champions League Final Jun 6, 2015 Just as anticipated in the hours leading up to kickoff, both Juventus manager Max Allegri and his counterpart on the Barcelona sideline, Luis Enrique, have gone with the starting lineups everybody thought they would. Neither manager had reason to go against the grain and shake things up. The only major shake-up came days ago when Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini had to leave training early with a calf injury that is keeping him out of tonight's final. Other than that, Allegri's starting lineup and 4-3-1-2 formation is as expected as it could be. Gigi Buffon will start in goal and captain the four-time defending Italian champions. Leonardo Bonucci will partner with Andrea Barzagli instead of Chiellini. Patrice Evra will be the left fullback, Stephan Lichtsteiner is on the right. Juventus' four midfielders will be the four we all thought would start — Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba with Arturo Vidal starting behind strikers Álvaro Morata and Carlos Tévez. Like I said, predictable. But that's because everybody not named Chiellini who was expected to be here is. The only thing left to find out is what Allegri's actual game tactics will look like because the lineup was a piece of cake. Luis Enrique will be lead by the record-setting trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar up front. Between them, 120 goals — yeah, that's no exaggeration — have been scored as Barcelona storms through opponent after opponent. The 4-3-3 is no surprise, neither are the players in both the midfield and defense. Young German Marc-André ter Stegen gets the start he does as is customary in the Champions League for Barcelona, which also sets up an interesting old-school new-school matchup in the two goals between him and Buffon. (Sorry, kid, but I'll take Superman.) Obviously Allegri and Juventus don't want to be the next stop for the Barcelona Express and its South American conductors. The challenge is a big one, with more than just MSN to try and slow down. The starting lineups for both teams are as follows: Juventus XI (4-3-1-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Patrice Evra; Claudo Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba; Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tévez, Álvaro Morata Juventus bench: Marco Storari, Angelo Ogbonna, Simone Padoin, Stefano Sturaro, Roberto Pereyra, Kingsley Coman, Fernando Llorente Barcelona XI (4-3-3): Marc-André ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar Barcelona bench: Claudio Bravo, Marc Bartra, Jérémy Mathieu, Adriano Correia, Xavi Hernández, Rafinha Alcântara, Pedro Rodríguez

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Legendary Juventus Defender Offers Advice On How To Mark Barcelona’s Messi Jun 6, 2015 Legendary Juventus defender Claudio Gentile has offered advice on how to mark Lionel Messi ahead of the Champions League final against Barcelona. Renowned as one of the toughest and uncompromising defenders in football during the 1970s and 1980s, the six-time Scudetto winner memorably marked Diego Maradona out a match during the 1982 World Cup. “What would I do against Messi?: The same things I did at the Sarria against Maradona,” the 61-year-old told Marca. “Above all, to not let him get the ball and if he does, in the worst conditions possible. “It must never be him that starts off a move with the advantage. “You need to mark Messi in a special way, to keep him away from the rest of the team. “Juve need him to feel out of sorts, to feel isolated; they need him to raise his head and not find any Barcelona shirts nearby. “That’s the only way to limit the effectiveness of his moves. “I say ‘limit’ because there is no way to completely stop him; that’s impossible. “A defender has to be strong. That’s something very different to being dirty and going in to do harm. A defender is a defender, not a dancer.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Romulo: 'Juve are confident' Jun 6, 2015 Romulo insists Juventus are “sure everything will go well” in the Champions League Final with Barcelona. It kicks off tonight at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. “It was wonderful to win Serie A and the Coppa Italia, but it’s even better to play the Final of the Champions League 12 years later,” full-back Romulo told FootMercato. “We are sure everything will go well. The squad is motivated, confident and concentrated. We are aware of how important this game is, we must reach it in the best possible shape – well rested, well trained and well fed to give our best. “We can’t know what will happen. Many consider Barcelona to be the favourites, but anything is possible. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win. The fans in Turin have faith and so do we.” Max Allegri has already beaten Barcelona in the Champions League while at Milan, neutralising Leo Messi, while he had an excellent record against Luis Enrique as Roma boss. “Everyone knows we are tactically disciplined,” continued Romulo. “Juventus are a compact squad who are difficult to face. “I think that Paul Pogba will become one of the best players in the history of football. He is very quick, has technique and is physically strong. “It is difficult to find all three of those characteristics in one player, but he has it all. He’s just extraordinary. “Pogba is also a little bit Brazilian, as he’s always smiling and joking.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Nedved: 'Juve can win this' Jun 6, 2015 Pavel Nedved hopes Juventus can tonight make up for his 2003 Champions League Final disappointment. “We can win this.” The Czech star was suspended for that Final against Milan at Old Trafford, much as Giorgio Chiellini is ruled out by injury to face Barcelona in Berlin. “It was a huge disappointment for me in 2003,” Nedved told Tuttosport. “Now Juve are back at the top, are dominating football in Italy and are holding their own in Europe, even if four clubs can consider themselves stronger. “The lads strongly wanted this Final. Of course, with Leo Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, some people – who in my view are over the top – say that Barcelona start from 2-0. “Yes, they are difficult to stop, unpredictable, creative and strong, but we can win this. “Barça are the favourites, fine, but the Final is a different thing. Anything could happen in a one-off game. “We must block off Barcelona’s initiative and attack them.” Nedved has a particular eye out for his old teammate Gigi Buffon, who was in that 2003 Final. “The Champions League is the only trophy missing from his career.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Bartomeu: 'Juve can hurt Barca' Jun 6, 2015 Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu admits “we want to make history, but Juventus can hurt us.” The Champions League Final is tonight in Berlin and whatever happens one of these clubs will complete the Treble. “We want to make history with another Triplete,” Barteomeu told Sport Mediaset. “However, Juve can hurt us. They have a great collective and set the example in terms of planning. “I am friends with President Andrea Agnelli and we have an excellent rapport.” Barça are believed to be interested in Juve midfielder Paul Pogba and agent Mino Raiola was spotted this morning talking to Blaugrana director Ariedo Braida. “Pogba? He’s a great player,” smiled Bartomeu.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Ferrara: 'Juve need Italian mentality' Jun 6, 2015 Ciro Ferrara said Juventus should “play with an Italian mentality” against Barcelona in the Champions League Final. The former defender was on the pitch when Juve last won this trophy, beating Ajax in 1996. “If you take them as individual players, then Barcelona are stronger, but their forwards stay in advanced roles and do not chase opponents,” Ferrara told Sky Sport Italia. “Juve are a very compact side. They have to play with an Italian mentality, the way Inter did against Barcelona in the semi-final of 2010. “Everyone is tied to their era. I played in a Juve that made history, not just by winning the Champions League, but for the other finals, the Scudetti won and all the rest. “This is a winning Juve side that needs that step up in quality for a definitive consecration on the European stage.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Low: Juventus know how to deal with Messi, Suarez & Neymar The World Cup winner believes that the Bianconeri can curb the Blaugrana's attacking threat but he still expects the Catalans to prevail. Jun 6, 2015 Germany coach Joachim Low believes that Juventus are up to the challenge of stopping Barcelona’s prolific triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. The two sides are both hoping to secure famous trebles in Saturday’s Champions League final in Berlin, with both already having claimed domestic league-and-cup doubles. Barca arrive in Germany as favourites but Low is expecting a tight affair. “Everyone believes that Barcelona is favourite but it will be very difficult. Juve know how to react to players like Messi, Neymar and Suarez," Low told Uefa in Berlin. "Barcelona are in good shape, with no injuries. I think in the end they will prevail narrowly. They are full of world-class players.” The 2014 World Cup-winning coach went on to add that he is looking forward to an intriguing tactical clash in which both teams will take a very different approach. "It will be a bit of a struggle of systems,” he said. “An Italian team with a good defensive organisation against a Spanish team with great offensive quality. Although Juve are a team that don’t only defend – they can attack, too."

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Evra: I will shake hands with Luis Suarez The Juventus defender says he expects no repeat of the moment the Uruguay international snubbed him during their racial abuse feud. Jun 6, 2015 Juventus defender Patrice Evra says he will shake hands with Barcelona’s Luis Suarez in Saturday’s Champions League final. The two were embroiled in a race row during their time in England when Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing the then Manchester United defender during a clash with Liverpool at Anfield. Suarez was handed a ban but, upon his return, caused more controversy by snubbing Evra in the pre-match handshakes. “I will shake his hand – I am a professional,” the Frenchman told Sky Sports. “Like I’ve said many times, I’m proud of my colour and it doesn’t matter. I’m playing against Barcelona, I’m not playing just against Luis Suarez. “Every player in the team, they will feel me, because I will play a really important game.” Evra also revealed his surprise at the workload expected of players in Italy, insisting he has never felt better. “It was a shock at the beginning because, to be fair, I did not expect the way Juventus Football Club were working," the 34-year-old added. "They work really hard. “I think the training sessions are more difficult than the game. In pre-season I remember the manager [Massimiliano] Allegri always asking me ‘Pat, are you OK’ – I was always saying ‘for the moment I’m still alive’. And it was true, because it was difficult. I’d never worked so hard in my life. “It’s a great experience because, even for my age now, I feel like I’m more powerful than when I was younger. I qualify myself like a bottle of wine – the more I get older, the more it tastes sweet!” Both Juventus and Barcelona are on the hunt for a treble after both earned domestic league-and-cup doubles.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Boniek: 'Barca not better than Juve' Jun 6, 2015 Zbigniew Boniek expects an open final: 'Juventus have the better defence, Barcelona the better attack'. The Polish football legend won the Champions League final in 1985, though that occasion was tarnished by the Heysel Stadium disaster. Asked by Gianluca Di Marzio to forecast tonight's game, he disagreed with the consensus that saw Barcelona as favourites. “It's going to be a great match, between two excellent teams,” he said. “Allegri has a brilliant group, and some brilliant players. “I believe the match is going to be open, because Barcelona isn't so much stronger than Juventus. “The Bianconeri's goalkeeper and defence have the edge, while the Blaugrana are stronger upfront.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus €222m v Barcelona €345m – the wealth gap between the Champions League finalists The two clubs have put together first-team squads of very different compositions in the transfer market. Jun 6, 2015 By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent When Juventus and Barcelona face off in Berlin in Saturday’s Champions League final, it will be a clash of not just two differing football philosophies but also of opposite spending tendencies. While many have pinpointed the contrasting styles of play as a key component of the European showpiece, it is fair to say the two clubs have already gone about constructing their first-team squads in very different ways. Despite basing their side around a large pool of home-grown talent, Barca have spent huge amounts in putting together the squad which has already secured the Primera Division title and the Copa del Rey. Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets number among nine players trained in their own youth ranks who have gone on to be key members of their Champions League run. And yet for every local boy there is a big signing. Luis Suarez’s €81 million move from Liverpool ahead of the 2014-15 season followed an even bigger and more controversial transfer involving Neymar 12 months earlier. The Brazilian cost €86.2m in the end, with the club admitting the full extent of their total spend on the ex-Santos player months after claiming the cost had been around €30m less. Add in hefty fees for the likes of Dani Alves, Javier Mascherano and Ivan Rakitic and Barcelona's squad value surpasses the €340m mark. Over in Turin, the Bianconeri have spent significantly less on building a side to challenge in Europe, but they have laid out money for a far greater number of players in the process. Their cheaper €222m squad conversely includes only five players who cost the club nothing, with Claudio Marchisio the sole product of their youth system to have remained with them throughout. The key is that they haven’t splashed out on nearly as many big-money signings, with only Gianluigi Buffon’s phenomenal €52.9m 2001 deal costing them more than €20m. Elsewhere around the squad, the Italian league and cup winners have been able to find top players for reasonable fees and have been topped up with free transfers for the likes of Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo. The Champions League doesn’t come cheap these days, with mega money involved in building a side worthy of a final, but Saturday’s interesting clash of approaches suggests there is more than one way to construct a winning outfit.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) 'Juve, here's key to beat Barca' Jun 6, 2015 Angelo Di Livio recommends “fast breaks” and a clamp on Leo Messi for Juventus to beat Barcelona. The respective champions of the Italian and Spanish leagues square off tonight to take home the Champions League, an opportunity that hasn't presented itself for the Bianconeri in 19 years. “It's hard to say how this game should be prepared,” former Champions League-winner Di Livio told Gianluca Di Marzio. “Games such as these aren't prepared, they prepare themselves. “It's a single match, and Juventus are up against the best team in the world. “They'll have to keep an eye on all the details and try and double down on [Leo] Messi. “The tactical key for Allegri is going to be ball possession and fast breaks, because Barcelona will look to dominate from the outset.” The 48-year-old was also asked how important the absence of defender Giorgio Chiellini was for Juventus. “It matters a lot. And I'm sorry for Giorgio too, I know him and I played with him, and I know how keen he was on playing this game. “It makes for an influential absence in terms of character, but also because of his leadership skills. He'd have played even on one leg if he'd had that option, I expect.” Finally, Di Livio was asked to compare the current Juventus squad with that which snatched the Champions League trophy in 1996. “It's hard to compare two teams of such excellence. I can say that I recognise my own Juventus in terms of personality. They have the right spirit. “I haven't heard [Gianluigi] Buffon and Chiellini, to be honest. But I can wish them the best of luck. “If there's a message I want to send out it's that Juventus have a great opportunity and they mustn't let it slip. “The game must be lived without pressure. They must play with a free and open mind to make their dream come true.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Spanish papers fear Morata Jun 6, 2015 Spanish papers note Barcelona are “clear favourites” in the Champions League Final, but fear Alvaro Morata for Juventus. The showdown kicks off in Berlin this evening at 20.45 CET). In conjunction with our sister site Football Espana, we bring you the front page headlines from Spain’s media this morning. Marca leads with Lionel Messi walking out on to the turf and the headline: ‘The man of the Final.’ It points out Barça “rely on a full-fledged Messi to win their fifth Champions League. Clear favourites against a versatile Juventus, who also aspire for the Treble.” The biggest concern seems to be Spanish striker Morata, whose goals already eliminated Real Madrid in the semi-final. Indeed AS have Morata on the cover given equal billing with Messi: ‘Treble or Moratazo.’ “Barcelona are favourites in the betting,” but Juve have their own Spanish weapon. Mundo Deportivo has the trio of Luis Suarez, Messi and Neymar charging across the Brandenburg Gate like the statues of horses. “Forca Bar5a” is the headline, reminding readers this would be the club’s fifth Champions League as well as a Treble and seeing Berlin painted in Azulgrana colours. Luis Enrique explains “we have the best players in the world, but we’re a team.” Max Allegri counters by telling fans “not to expect 0-0.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Champions League Final, Juventus vs. Barcelona: Five keys to the Battle of Berlin Jun 5, 2015 Barcelona's front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suárez has contributed 120 goals so far this season. The South American trident represents the end-level boss of this season's Champions League, and Juventus will have to be at her absolute best on Saturday. Below are five things that could be key to determining which side lifts the big-eared cup. One of the many subplots of Saturday's Champions League final is that the last game of the season will also be Xavi Hernández's last in Blaugrana. It may be Andrea Pirlo's last in Bianconero, possibly others as well, but none of the players on either side represent a style in the same way Xavi does. Xavi represents midfield possession and positional play of the highest level, seeking to control the match first and create goalscoring chances through that, prioritizing safety and preventing counters through careful management of turnovers. But Xavi is all but gone. This is Ivan Rakitić's Barcelona, tailored to the directness of Luis Suárez and Neymar. Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta, for their dribbling brilliance, seem to fit well in any style of play. Luis Enrique deserves credit for embracing a shift towards a more direct, punch-and-counterpunch Barcelona that wants to get the ball to its forwards quickly and in space, no matter what that means for potential loss of possession and positional balance. But most of the merit must go to the players, who made it work and got the results to keep the pressure off. At least since the turn of the year. So yes, Barcelona is very good. But, and this is maybe a forgotten point in much of the media, so is Juventus. With that in mind, here are five keys that may determine which side lifts the European Cup. 1. Lionel Messi The Argentine magician has been in some of the best form of his career in recent months, at times making world-class stars like Neymar and Suárez look like third-rate chancers by comparison. Returning to the wing but retaining his complete centrality to Barcelona's attacking play, Messi has taken on a greater importance to the team's buildup, occasionally dropping to collect the ball from defense. He is of course most dangerous when he starts dribbling past you -- Juventus will have to be very disciplined, keeping the Argentine in front of them and presenting him safe options, preventing the number 10 from accelerating play, because when he does nobody else can keep up. Giorgio Chiellini would have been a vital piece of the Messi plan, and without him there is some uncertainty as to who will be Messi's most direct opponent. Whoever is tasked to stop him, Messi's performance (or, more accurately, how many goals Messi creates) will be vital in determining the champion. 2. Andrea Pirlo The bearded maestro has had ups and downs this season, with this match possibly representing his last in Italy. But the talent that marks him out as perhaps the best ever in his role remains, the ability to put a teammate in on goal with a perfect ball at any moment, or to effortlessly curl a free kick past wall and goalkeeper. Having Pirlo in your team of course also means a certain level of defensive vulnerability. He has never been the best at tracking runs, and age hasn't helped in that respect. Barcelona will certainly try and test the defense by running across Pirlo. The success they have attacking Pirlo's zone, and Pirlo's ability to create chances at the other end, could have a big impact on the scoreline. 3. Paul Pogba or Ivan Rakitić? Whichever midfielder can put his stamp on the game will put his team in pole position. While neither is a Xavi- or Pirlo-style dictator of a game's tempo, both are versatile and can hurt you in several ways -- getting wide to put in a cross, running into the box to support the forwards, playing the delicate through ball, or crashing in shots from distance. If Massimiliano Allegri and Luis Enrique each choose the players in their most frequent starting positions they will be put face-to-face, and whoever gets the better of their battle will create real problems for the opposing defense and goalkeeper. 4. High Pressing Barcelona's game is not as reliant on suffocating possession and positional rigor, ties closely to a very aggressive press, as they once where, however the old Pep Guardiola method still shows up now and then when the opposing defense sits back. Ivan Rakitić has brought a new energy to the press when it is employed, eliminating one of the weaknesses that cost Barcelona under Tata Martino and during the too-short tenure of Tito Vilanova. Juventus, for their part, are also occasionally very aggressive with their pressure, with Arturo Vidal especially among the best in the world when asked to get aggressive further up the pitch. Both teams have had some difficulty playing out from the back this season (another element of the Rakitić-for-Xavi swap in central midfield), so whichever team is more effective with its press, and more able to generate the good opportunities that come with winning the ball high up the field, will have a great chance to win. 5. Set-Pieces and Aerial Play Barcelona have mightily improved their set-piece defense this season, one of the keys to their league success, but they still fundamentally only have about three guys who you would trust to win their defensive headers-- Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, and Suárez. Javier Mascherano is as tough a customer as you're ever likely to see, but he, like fullbacks Jordi Alba and Dani Alves, can be regularly beaten in the air, which is something Juventus must look to exploit. At the other end, a major part of Barcelona's success in transition has been the forwards' ability to win the high ball and start the quick counter. Suárez and Messi are fantastic at reading the flight of the ball, even against bigger opponents, and if they are allowed to make good first contact on high balls out from defense it will be a very long night. Just ask Bayern Munich. It's a final, after all, and these things tend to come down to small margins. By competing in these key areas, and maybe getting the better of a couple of individual matchups, Juventus can overcome the odds and lift a historic third European Cup.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Zidane: No Team Should Be Favoured Over Juventus Jun 5, 2015 Zinedine Zidane has unsurprisingly revealed that he will be supporting Juventus during Saturday’s Champions League final against Barcelona, also admitting no side should ever be favoured over the Bianconeri. Zidane, twice a Champions League runner up with Juventus during his five seasons with the Turin outfit is hoping to see his former side emerge victorious and has openly admitted his support for Massimilliano Allegri’s team. “Yes, I am supporting Juve even though it is said that Barcelona are favourites,” Zidane told SportMediaset. “But one must remember that no team is favourite against Juve. “The key players for Juventus will be [Carlos] Tevez and [Paul] Pogba. [Lionel] Messi? He never stops.” After leaving Juventus for Real Madrid, Zidane endured greater success in the Champions League, winning the trophy in 2002 after his sensational volley saw Madrid home against Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Cafu: Barcelona Will Have Tough Time Against Juventus Jun 5, 2015 Former Brazil and AC Milan full-back Cafu thinks that Barcelona will have a difficult time against Juventus in the Champions League final, contrary to popular belief. The Bianconeri are preparing for their first European final since their defeat to a Milan side featuring Cafu in 2003 and are hoping to avoid a record sixth defeat in the final and Cafu believes that Massimilliano Allegri’s men can overcome the odds. “I am expecting a very tough final,” the 44-year-old told Sky Sport Italia. “So many people think it will be an easy final for Barcelona but for me it won’t be because Juventus will put up a fierce struggle and the game will be difficult for the Catalans. “Juventus can also win it if they play like they have been playing up until now. “Tactically, Juve are perfect squad, they don’t give space to their opponents and they strike so quickly on the counter attack, if they play this way, they can win.” Turning his attentions to Barca’s Brazilians, Neymar and Dani Alves, he admitted he rates them highly and that the latter could do well for his former side, Milan. “Neymar is so good, I always cheer for him, it will be a beautiful game to see him in. “Dani Alves to Milan? He is one of the greats and one of the strongest full-backs around, he has won everything and could do well at Milan.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) UEFA Champions League Final Preview: Juventus vs. Barcelona Jun 5, 2015 You remember all of those games that we've called 'the biggest game of the season' during this magical 2014-15 run to the Champions League final? Go ahead and throw them out the window. Nothing will match what we are about to witness in Berlin Saturday night. Nothing. This is the biggest game there is no matter what we compare it to. Nothing else can come close outside of what Juventus played in to get to this point. Juventus, the champions of Italy. Barcelona, the champions of Spain. Both teams are looking to win the same trophy and cap off a treble-winning season in the best possible way. Many expected Barcelona to be here. They've got three of the best strikers this game we love has to offer. And it's not like those three guys suddenly caught fire. They've pretty much been like this all season. Juventus, though? Not many expected them to even make it to the semifinals, let alone slay Barcelona's No. 1 rival and defending European champions in the process. A season full of proving people wrong — from the new manager to the ability to get it done in Europe and all the way back again — has been wonderful to witness. (Unless you root for Inter or something.) Saturday night is the final stop in a 2014-15 season where Juventus has firmly put its foot down and squashed talk that they're still on the outside looking in when it comes to Europe's elite. We've seen a massive figure resign on the second day of preseason training only to be replaced by somebody who was fired six months before by Milan. And, as the season has gone on, the managerial change proved to be something that was the perfect ingredient to make this team be great outside of just Serie A. But this test, in the biggest game Juventus has played in years, is unlike any they have seen this season. Makes sense at this stage of the game, doesn't it? JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen .@gianluigibuffon: "Barca are favourites, that's to be expected with the players they possess. But we're not here to make up the numbers." Like San Gigi said, Barcelona are the overwhelming favorites entering the grand finale. And you know what? That's perfectly okay. Juventus has thrived as the underdog this season — especially so in Europe. They've overcome the imposing Westfalenstadion and subsequently silienced it, then took down the reigning European champions in their own house and got to do some dancing on the Bernabéu turf. Good times, man, good times. Maybe it's fate that Juventus are playing the same they beat on their way to the 2003 Champions League final. Or maybe it's simply a coincidence and we can throw it right out the window. As much as it's an accomplishment to even get to this point, winning it would be so, so, so much sweeter. Go right ahead and win it for Gigi, win it for Pavel, win it for ADP, win it for all the Juve players of the past who never got here. Just win it. This is a chance that doesn't come around very often. So why not make the most of it now that we're finally here? JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen .@OfficialAllegri: "We needed to reach Europe's top eight, we're in the top two. Now we must finish first." GOOD NEWS Let me check... Oh yeah, tomorrow is the Champions League final and Juventus is playing in it. BAD NEWS Giorgio Chiellini just had to go and hurt his calf a few days before the Champions League final, huh? Fitting that in the last game of the season that this section of the preview is filled with injury news since it's been like that from Giornata No. 1 back in late-August onward. WHAT TO WATCH FOR 1. Juventus' defense vs. Messi-Surarez-Neymar. Because, let's face it, this is going to ultimately determine whether Juventus heads home with more silverware strapped into a seat on their team plane like after the Coppa Italia final or get second-place medals. It's not so much trying to stop Messi and his friends completely, but more having to avoid complete disaster compared to anything else. As dangerous as Neymar and Suarez can be, Messi is just on a whole different planet. That means the contributions of the left side of Juventus' defense, Patrice Evra and Leonardo Bonucci, will be vital without Chiellini in the lineup. We could sit here and break down the individual matchups, but defending such a talented and dangerous trident isn't going to come down to one single person. Trying to slow them down will be something all four at the back — and probably some saves from Gigi Buffon — as well as the midfield. This is just what needs to happen when you're going against three of the best around. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen .@OfficialAllegri: "Stopping @FCBarcelona's front three won't be enough. It's unlikely the game will finish 0-0, so we'll need to score." 2. The health and effectiveness of Andrea Barzagli. Considering how up and down Chiellini's form has been this season, some folks are thinking that Barzagli coming into the starting lineup for the Champions League final isn't such a disaster like others might perceive it as. I've gone back and forth on it about 20 times while writing this part of the preview, and I think it will be that as the countdown clock winds down to kickoff Saturday night. But I keep coming back to this one central focus: Having a healthy and match-fit Barzagli in the lineup is never a bad thing. Ever. That's why many folks aren't throwing themselves down a flight of stairs because Chiellini is out injured. Barzagli has been Juventus' best defender not named Leonardo Bonucci this season, so it's not like a total scrub is stepping in for Chiellini. And even though he is just getting over his own injury problems, he has been training for most of the week and every indication is that The Great Wall of Barza is ready to roll. That Tuttosport headline of "STATE CALMI C'E' BARZAGLI" definitely seems pretty handy right now. 3. How does Allegri play this one? As we've come to see about Juventus in Europe, a classic counterattack has proven to be their best friend. The same can be said about pressing high and putting the opposition under pressure. But will that really work against a team like Barcelona that can destroy any opponent in what seems like the blink of an eye? I'm not so sure, unless you feel like trying to stop fire with fire. (Or something like that.) Does Allegri go conservative or does he crank up the pressure in an attempt to catch Barcelona off guard? This in lies the external struggle of trying to read a manager's mind before the match actually begins. I guess the only real thing we know is that a late-game switch to a 3-5-2 formation is out of play with Barzagli stepping in for Chiellini. At least we can figure that out, which is better than just sitting here completely clueless. 4. Juventus' midfield vs. Barcelona's midfield. Rewind to whenever you read the Q&A session with our friends at Barca Blaugranes. What's the one weakness they identified within the Barcelona ranks? Yeah, the midfield. The same one that has Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets. But when you can counter with Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba, Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo, you're setting yourself up for a pretty good fight. A lot like the defenders above, a collective effort is crucial here. And it could hinge on Vidal, who will be going directly up against Busquets for most of the night. Even though Vidal will be in his unnatural spot as a trequartista instead of playing alongside Pirlo, he will incredibly important to the cause. And if Pogba plays more like the pre-injury player compared to the post-injury one who is still finding his match fitness, then Juventus winning the always-important battle in the center of the park. It worked against Real Madrid, right? My starting XI (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Vidal; Morata, Tévez

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Pirlo: There Is Great Desire In This Juventus Team Jun 5, 2015 Andrea Pirlo has revealed the desire that burns inside this Juventus side as they take on Barcelona in the Champions League final on Saturday. The 36-year-old joined Juventus from AC Milan in 2011 and since then has gone on to win four straight Serie A titles as well as the Coppa Italia. “I needed a change,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “To find new ideas and Juve was the project that fascinated me most because they hadn’t won anything for years. “Conte put us under a lot of pressure, but there was a great desire among the players because of the two poor years in the championship. “Allegri arrived with great motivation and wanted revenge. We met at Juve we started from the beginning. as though nothing had happened before.” Looking to the final of the Champions League, Pirlo said he is happy to be back with his last outing being the 2007 game in Athens when his AC Milan side beat Liverpool 2-0. “I am happy to be back,” he exclaimed. “I am happy to have these emotions again. The first being the anxiety you have to live with but also the desire, though there was a new one… The expectation. “Now I am calm, but with the same wants and same desire as the first time. When I arrived [at Juventus] I remember a conversation with the president [Andrea Agnelli] whose goal, even then, was to win the Champions League again. “Within us, there was a great anger, we wanted to go further, but something always happened. We took a seat and found that extra energy needed to get us up there. “We knew Monaco would be a tough game, and Real Madrid presented a fascinating challenge, we played at a level where we knew we could hurt them at any time.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Luis Enrique challenges Barcelona's 'unique generation' The club could become the first team two in two trebles if they win Saturday's Champions League final. Jun 5, 2015 Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has challenged his "unique set of players" to rise to the occasion and create history by winning Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus. No club in European football has won the treble twice, but Luis Enrique's men could achieve just that at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. In a quirk of fate, Massimiliano Allegri's Juve are also in the hunt for a treble this season to add another fascinating sub-plot to the biggest game in club football. Speaking at his pre-match media conference, Luis Enrique said: "We've got where we set out to and now we hope to leave an important mark in the club's history. "I think we will have more possession; we hope to spend more time in their half. We’ll have to play at a high level, it's going to be a difficult match. "Juve have a very similar style to ours, they also need the ball. They're very good in defence, they're very resourceful and that's why they're in the same position as us – they can win the treble too. We'll have to see what happens. "We've scored lots of goals in the Champions League but we know finals are very different; there's a lot of tension so we'll have to block that out. "We know that throughout the match we'll find a Juve who wants to have the ball and they're going to pressure us. Who will win depends on who adapts better to those situations. "We have a unique set of players, a unique generation given the number of trophies Barcelona have won. I hope we see a great final, an open fun game – that would be great for football, and the one who wins would be the better side. "I don't think we can compare what we have and the other doesn't – we're both here in the final and can write history for our clubs. "Each team has its own identity, its virtues and weak points. I think this is going to be one of the best matches you can watch – the champions of Italy and Spain. It's going to be a spectacle of football."

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus hope to dedicate Champions League win to Heysel victims - Bonucci Jun 5, 2015 Juventus hope to dedicate a victory in the Champions League final to the victims of the Heysel disaster. The Italian side play Barcelona in Saturday's final in Berlin, 30 years after 39 supporters -- mainly from Juventus -- lost their lives when Liverpool fans rioted in the Heysel stadium in Brussels. Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci told a news conference at Berlin's Olympic Stadium: "As regards the Heysel tragedy, I went to a commemoration last week for the victims. "The memory of what happened there is a further stimulus for us because we hope to dedicate the victory to those who lost their lives that night." Juventus manager Max Allegri added: "Heysel will always be one of the dark pages of football history -- and not just for Juventus but all football. For us, it is important to remember the victims and commemorate their deaths." Bonucci insisted Juventus were not too concerned by the renowned attacking threat of Barcelona's front trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar and that their 3-0 win in Germany against Borussia Dortmund had given the Italians confidence. He said: "It will not be the Barca attack against the defence of Juventus. The game in Dortmund made us realize that we are a great team, gave us that awareness . "We come here knowing that we are probably a rung below Barcelona, but in a final the differences dwindle. "It is up to us to fight for every ball. We will not be the victims here."