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JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Allegri: 'Historic Juventus season' Jun 1, 2015 Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri believes this season “will go down in history” ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final. The Old Lady face Barcelona in Berlin on Saturday with both clubs looking to secure a treble, having won the league title and domestic cup in Italy and Spain respectively. “This season will go down in history,” Allegri said at a pre-match Press conference on Monday. “It’s not often a team gets to this point in three separate competitions. Winning the Champions League final would be a more than extraordinary feat. “It’d be the perfect way to round off a magnificent season. The final could go to penalties, even though I think that’s unlikely. We’ll be prepared for any eventuality. The Bianconeri Coach acknowledged the difficulty of facing Barcelona and in particular Lionel Messi, and outlined how his side will approach the match. “Barcelona play a different brand of football to that of other teams,” he said. “We’ll need to be compact and keep it tight. We need to focus exclusively on knuckling down and working hard, not on what might happen. “Marking Messi while he moves is a near impossible task. We must be smart in working around him. “We’re aware of how good we are and know we’re capable of giving a decent account of ourselves. “We know we’ll have some decent spells in the game. We must be calm and avoid letting anxiety creep in. “There’s a great mood in the camp and only five days to go. Let’s see if we’re able to make this season even more extraordinary.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Buffon: Juventus chances slim Jun 1, 2015 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes that his side only have a slim chance of defeating Barcelona in the Champions League final. The two clubs face off on Saturday evening in the same stadium where Buffon won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, but the 37-year-old underlined his respect for the opposition. “Against Real we might have had a 35% chance of making it past them, so I guess the chances of now winning the trophy against this Barcelona side are even slimmer,” he said in an interview with UEFA.com. “We are aware of this and we can't deny it – because it's just obvious. So we certainly have an abundance of respect for the Barcelona squad, for what they have achieved and for the players they have. “But like I said about Real, we have a few weapons to compete and ways to try to make things difficult for them. So we will play based on that. “I'm going back to Berlin after nine years. And I am curious to see whether the feelings and sensations will be the same. But I don't think there will be big differences to nine years ago.” The veteran goalkeeper has never won a Champions League title and described his joy at winning the semi-final against Real Madrid. “I just felt a great happiness that I have only really experienced a few times, because when you are not the favourites or the stronger team and you still make it through to the next round, that is something very rewarding,” he said. “For me personally, this is a big goal. It's a big goal because my career has been a long one – and obviously during all those years there have been a lot of complicated and difficult decisions to take. “I took those decisions based on my feelings and based on my way of life. And I have to say that after nine or ten years – some of which have been really difficult – to come here again and make it with the whole team, the whole staff, the whole club and all our fans, that is just something great and something really rewarding.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Boy in Month-Long Coma Wakes Up, Asks If Juventus Still in Champions League Jun 1, 2015 A 14-year-old boy has survived an extraordinary ordeal, which saw him spend more than 40 minutes trapped underwater and a month in an induced coma—and top of his priority list upon waking was to find out if Juventus were still in the Champions League. Italy's Milan Chronicle (via Victoria Richards of the Independent) reports that he and five friends jumped off a bridge into a canal near Milan. Stuck in the canal, his heart stopped. Remarkably, he showed no signs of brain damage and not only woke up but wanted to know what was happening in football. After four weeks in hospital in San Raffaele, he is said to have woken, spoken to his parents and asked whether his favourite football team, Juventus, was still in the Champions League. Juventus were not among the favourites to go deep into the tournament, but they ousted Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Real Madrid in the knockout rounds to reach the final. Presumably, the boy, named only as "Michael" in the Italian press, will now be able to see his team in action in Saturday's final against Barcelona.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Andres Iniesta Injury: Updates on Barcelona Midfielder's Calf and Return Jun 1, 2015 Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is a doubt for the Blaugrana's Champions League final showdown with Juventus after suffering a calf injury during the side's Copa del Rey final win over Athletic Bilbao on May 30. Iniesta to Undergo Tests Monday, June 1 AS reports the extent of Iniesta's problem will be determined after he undergoes tests on Monday. He played 55 minutes during Barca's 3-1 win over Bilbao before being replaced by Xavi. The classy midfielder was "given an icepack for a knock on his right calf," per AS, but boss Luis Enrique remains hopeful he will be fit for the tie against Juve on Saturday. "I hope it's not serious and that he can play in Berlin," said Enrique, who provided a hint of encouragement: "I saw him jumping during the cup celebrations," per AS. Iniesta appeared sprightly enough when receiving the Copa del Rey trophy in a video tweeted by Barca. The 31-year-old has made 39 appearances across all competitions for the Catalan club this season, per WhoScored.com. Although he isn't as creative as he used to be, Iniesta remains a leader both on and off the pitch. With Xavi leaving at the end of the season, his experience will become even more valuable to the side. Iniesta has won the Champions League three times, scored the 2010 World Cup winner for Spain and remains a big-game player for Barca. As such, Enrique will hope his midfield maestro can shrug off his problem in time for the trip to Berlin.

Grading Massimiliano Allegri on Juventus' 2014/15 Serie A Season Jun 1, 2015 There is little doubt that the 2014-15 season has been hugely positive one for Juventus, the club winning a fourth consecutive Serie A title with ease. Having also lifted the Coppa Italia for the first time since 1995, and with the Champions League final still to play, the Bianconeri have already enjoyed great success. Whatever the result against Barcelona on June 6, there is little doubt that the Old Lady and her supporters will look back fondly on this campaign for years to come. Yet it did not begin in such happy circumstances, with the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri initially met with widespread derision among fans and neutral observers alike. "He joined the club amidst a great deal of scepticism but he's succeeded in keeping this team moving forward,” director general Beppe Marotta said of the coach back in March, per the club’s official website. Appointed the day after Antonio Conte quit the role, Allegri had very little time to prepare and arrived with his reputation at an all-time low following his dismissal by Milan just six months earlier. Wisely starting the season by changing very little of the team he inherited, he retained both the formation and line-up favoured by his predecessor. Sticking with the 3-5-2 framework that had been central to the success of the Bianconeri over the previous three seasons proved an intelligent decision, as they recorded seven wins and one draw in their opening eight fixtures. Wins against newly promoted Empoli and Palermo followed, but sandwiched between them was a disappointing loss to Genoa. That compounded defeats to Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos in the Champions League, and prompted Allegri to make changes and finally make the team his own. Switching to a back four brought immediate results, not only restoring focus to a side in danger of becoming stale, but also making them much more threatening in attack. That was evident in their 3-2 win over the same Greek opponents, before a 7-0 demolition of Parma reinforced the point. From there, Juventus have played with remarkable consistency, conceding just 24 goals this term as the champions kept a remarkable 18 clean sheets in the league alone. Also leading all teams thanks to a tally of 72 goals, there is little doubting the impact the coach has made, leading them to the title by a margin of 16 points. It is difficult to judge Allegri solely on the Serie A campaign alone, as he has often rested players ahead of key Champions League fixtures, his skilled rotation of the side allowing them to compete on three fronts for the first time in recent memory. That has allowed Juventus to benefit from sustained excellence from players such as Patrice Evra and Carlos Tevez, while also nursing Arturo Vidal back to full health following his summer knee surgery. Evra is one of many new signings to be successfully integrated by the Livorno-born tactician, who has also proven his ability to develop young players throughout the season. The quality of Alvaro Morata was evident in his fleeting appearances at former club Real Madrid, but an increase in playing time has seen the Spaniard make a huge leap forward in 2015. Allegri deserves immense credit for that, and he is also at least partially responsible for the rapid progress of Roberto Pereyra. Now good enough to be a member of Argentina’s Copa America squad, the utility player signed from Udinese has blossomed under the coach’s guidance in Turin. His running on the ball has been a neat addition to the Bianconeri attack, while his defensive diligence has been vital in the biggest matches. Stefano Sturaro has also shone, the 22-year-old making an impact following his January move from Genoa, Allegri calling upon him more and more as the season reached its climax. Tactically astute, with a firm grasp of what lays ahead for his team and how each of his players was performing at all times, there is little doubt Max Allegri has been a major factor in Juve’s success this season. Allegri’s Grade for Serie A 2014-15: A

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus-Barcelona: Marco van Basten's Champions League verdict Ahead of Saturday's Champions League final between Barcelona and Juventus, we spoke to Marco van Basten, Nissan's ambassador for their UEFA Champions League Final activity in Berlin, to get his take on the game. Jun 1, 2015 The three-time Ballon d’Or winner was part of the AC Milan team that won the European Cup back-to-back in 1989 and 1990, a feat no team has repeated since. Van Basten shared his views on why Juventus are the exception in Italian football, how Barcelona can be stopped and why he’s surprised that Luis Suarez is now flourishing at the Nou Camp… Suarez surprise Van Basten was head coach at Ajax for part of Suarez’s three-and-a-half year stay at the club and remembers the Uruguayan forward’s extraordinary desire to succeed. “He’s very emotional,” Van Basten told Sky Sports. “He’s a real winner too. He wants to make goals, he wants to play and he wants to attack. He has developed himself in a very good way so he’s a big striker in world football at the moment. “I knew that he was a winner and that he was a very good player, always creating chances, threatening the goal and causing problems for the opponent. He made a good impression at Liverpool but he’s getting stronger and stronger.” Even so, Van Basten did not envisage Suarez fitting in quite as effectively as he has at Barcelona given the team’s unique style of play. “I was expecting him to be a really good player but I didn’t think of him playing for a team like Barcelona,” added Van Basten. “I felt he’d be more suited to a team like Juventus or Inter because the football in Italy is a bit different to the football they play at Barcelona. “Barca play a really clever type of football, close together with everybody at a high level technically. I think he is more of an opportunistic forward who should just go forward and see what happens. He does that in a marvellous way but it’s not the way he plays at Barcelona.” That man Messi… Van Basten played with Johan Cruyff at Ajax, faced Diego Maradona during his Napoli pomp and coached his country against Lionel Messi at a World Cup. It puts him in a unique position to rate the Barcelona man. “I think he’s a truly great player. He’s on the level with Pele, Cruyff and Maradona. “I think Maradona was more of a fighter. Maradona was strong and mean. He could be a really difficult person as he tried everything to win. Messi is just a fantastic player. I think he’s a little bit quieter than Maradona was but they both have unbelievable skills.” So can Barcelona be stopped? With Suarez adding another dimension to an already talented Barcelona side, the debate continues regarding how best to stop the Spanish champions. Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola tried it his own way with a high line and man-for-man pressing against his old team in the semi-final only to lose 5-3 on aggregate and Van Basten has some sympathy for those tactics. “I think that Pep Guardiola had bad luck because he was not able to use his best line-up,” said Van Basten. “He was not able to field Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery or David Alaba. They were not fit against Barcelona. That’s a pity because I really wanted to see a good game between these two teams. But it wasn’t like that. “If you want to make Barcelona have a difficult evening then you have to defend really well. You have to make sure you don’t give a lot of space to Lionel Messi or Andres Iniesta and also make sure they don’t get any time. So you should be very compact and close to each other, remaining alert while they have the ball. On the other hand, you also have to go on the attack too.” So does he feel the Italian champions have a chance? “I don’t think Juventus are as good as Barcelona but they are also able to attack as they have shown in winning the double in Italy. They can create as well. “The good thing for Juventus is that they are a team that understands and reads the flow of the game. So if they feel they need to defend they have the discipline to defend, but if they have the possibility to attack they will go forward. That’s what gives them the chance to beat Barca.” What’s happened to Italian football? It’s been a difficult time for Serie A but Van Basten believes the team from Turin are a unique case. “Juventus are an exception. They have had a new start since they came back from Serie B. They are organised and they have their own stadium. If you compare that to Milan, Inter, Roma or any of the other clubs, they all still have big problems. In that case, Juventus is an example for all Italian clubs.” So does it sadden the former Milan hero to see his old side – the seven-time European champions no less - struggling in mid-table? “Sad is a big word. I have a lot of sympathy for Milan but if you look what’s happened in the past 10 years they have gone down so much. When I was playing you had 85,000 every week in the San Siro. Now you have maybe 30,000. The level of the players is just poor. “It’s also a matter of money. It’s a pity that 20 years ago Italy had everything. All the money, all the players and all the attention was in Italy. But there have been so many different stories with corruption, referees and money that everything went out of their hands. Now it’s difficult to come back, but Italy is still a great football country. You can see how important it still is for every Italian.” Can anyone replicate Milan? One thing that Milan fans can still boast is that, a quarter of a century on, they remain the last team to lift the European Cup in back-to-back seasons and Van Basten thinks a repeat in the near future is far from inevitable. “We were the last team to do it and it’s not easy,” he said. “Winning the Champions League is the most important cup you can win as a player in club football and to do it twice you need to be the best for two years in a row. You can’t afford a bad game because that’ll be the end of the road. “I think that football is also a little bit more predictable than it was 20 years ago. If you look at the last eight of the Champions League, it will include the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus so you probably have to play against one of these big clubs. “I think 20 years ago it was not like that. You maybe had three or four good teams but with a little bit of luck you could reach the semi-finals a little bit easier. That’s an important point in understanding why it’s a little bit more difficult to win it two years in a row.” So who does he want to win? Van Basten concluded: “If Barcelona are allowed to play their game – that means nice football in an attacking way – with nice moments from Messi and Iniesta then I hope Barcelona win. But I lived for 10 years in Italy so I am half Italian. I hope that for the Italian people, Juve win the Champions League. That would be good for Italian football. But mainly I hope the best team wins the cup.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Nedved: Juventus Must Not Sit Back Against Barcelona Jun 1, 2015 Pavel Nedved has advised Juventus not to sit back and defend in the Champions League final against Barcelona at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on June 6. The former Bianconeri midfielder, turned director, also acknowledged the immense talent that will come from Barcelona’s attacking trio of Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suarez, but still believes that the match still hangs in the balance. “They have so much talent, it’s hard to think about how to stop them,” Nedved said to Isport Blesk. “We have to defend well and not only that, we want to create problems for their rearguard. What we must not do is be passive, to leave Barcelona the absolute initiative.” The Czech recounted his glorious moments with Juventus in European competition, adding his hopes that the club will find victory after a 12 year absence from the Champions League final. “The 2003 final was the match marked the high point of my career,” said Nedved. “Winning the Champions League would be very meaningful to me. We did not expect to be here, but we deserve it.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Massimiliano Allegri & Luis Enrique: Field marshals for the Battle of Berlin The two teams that have arguably played the best football this season meet on the ground of sweet memories for Italians Bianconeri: Juventus and Barcelona face each other in the Champions' League final. Jun 1, 2015 Just a day into the summer preparations for the new 2014-15 season, Juventus were finding themselves in a delicate and unexpected position. For the numerous family of tifosi Bianconeri, the news that emerged came as a devastating cyclone. After three years and as many consecutive Scudetti won, manager Antonio Conte announced his resignation. "When you are at a club as prestigious as Juventus, which boasts such an illustrious winning tradition, there is an obligation to win and that can be tougher than elsewhere," said Conte in his official statement for the club’s YouTube channel. Few were those who believed at that particular moment that in less than a year, Juventus will have already sealed another Scudetto, fought their way to the Coppa Italia final and, most impressively, made it all the way to their first Champions League final in 12 years. That small minority disappeared altogether the day after. Less than 24 hours after the initial announcement, such a performance became inconceivable when Mssimiliano Allegri — sacked by AC Milan in January of that year — was named as Conte’s replacement. Yet Allegri took Conte’s "obligation to win" literally and guided his new team towards the unthinkable — the Champions League trophy just 90 minutes away and Barcelona the partner for Old Lady’s last dance. Pragmatic, tactically disciplined and relying on the force of the group, Juventus finished second behind Atletico Madrid in their group, before seeing off Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco and defending champions Real Madrid on their way to the final. Allegri slowly managed to implement his preferred 4-3-1-2 formation but the capacity to switch back to 3-5-2 whenever the circumstances were demanding it was perhaps the key of this already successful season. A highly experienced, rock-solid defence boasting the likes of Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Patrice Evra and Stephan Lichtsteiner, led from between the posts by World Cup winner and club captain Gianluigi Buffon, contained opposite attacking threats admirably throughout the season. Its ultimate challenge, however, is waiting in the final. Barcelona’s formidable front trio Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez has torn apart every defence it came across, the three superstars scoring an astonishing 113 goals between them so far. But to achieve such feats, Barcelona had to pass through some darker times. Blaugrana were still searching for the best replacement for Pep Guardiola when the miserable condition of Tito Vilanova, that eventually led to his mournful passing away in 2014, and the fruitless year under Gerardo "Tata" Martinez left them close to disarray. It was Luis Enrique who managed to steady the ship in the end, as his appointment last summer turned out to be a most shrewd one. After a first part of the season with problems of all sort, Barcelona slowly started to run on all cylinders coming January this season. And when the phrase "all cylinders" is mentioned, I daresay just three are meant — and indeed, needed. Messi, Suarez and Neymar are playing some fantastic kind of football, one which recently seems to be governed by the Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno motto. One for all, all for one. Surely Alexandre Dumas never thought his philosophy could be at one point applied in football. Perhaps the fact the sport as we know it now was not yet played at that particular time counted towards that as well. Yet, because of Enrique, it is working and the almost effortlessly way Barcelona overcame Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Guardiola’s Bayern Munchen on their way to the final proves just that. The title in Spain has been secured and Athletic Club de Bilbao were handily beaten in the final of the Copa del Rey. A situation much similar with the one of Juventus, with both clubs aiming for the most prestigious treble there is. Barcelona may be the favourites, but la Vecchia Signora has the maturity and, at the same time, the vivacity to give the Spanish giants a good run for their money, through the exquisite midfield of Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. Strikers Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez have also managed to develop a prolific relationship, one that is responsible with the goals, completing the industrious profile of Allegri’s team. Berlin — the host city of the Champions League final — is also a place close to the hearts of Buffon, Pirlo and Barzagli for that was the venue where the three of them won the World Cup with Italy in 2006. "Mind you, we mustn’t go there [to Berlin] as tourists," said Buffon after Juventus booked their place in the final. And they surely won’t. The best attack in the world will be facing the best defence in one epic final in Berlin. Surely, Max Allegri and Juventus’ players would very much want and, indeed, deserve all that.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Enrique: 'Juve-Barcelona battle' May 31, 2015 Luis Enrique believes the Champions League Final between Barcelona and Juventus will have “two teams fighting for the ball.” The former Roma boss spoke to uefa.com ahead of next Saturday’s showdown in Berlin, where one of the two clubs will complete the Treble. “Three seasons ago I was lucky enough to be the Roma manager. So for the last two years I have been following Italian football. At home I watch lots of Roma games and Juve games, as a fan ... I follow Italian football. “I watched Juventus in recent years with Antonio Conte. They were a very hardworking team who I think played good football. “Maybe they were unlucky in Europe, but they had the ability to go a lot further in the Champions League. They are the Italian team who have been playing at the highest level in recent years “So get ready for a final between two teams fighting for the ball. Juventus are able to shut down and play their own way without being punished. They can maintain possession. They are capable of counterattacking. “I think they are a very well-rounded team. And I think you can see what the manager brings to the table.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Jordi Alba wary of Juventus May 31, 2015 Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has commented on the quality of Juventus's attack ahead of the Champions League final. Barca and Juve will meet in the final of the European Cup on June 6, and the Spanish champions will enter as the favourites. Alba, however, has warned his team of the dangers posed by Juve, who have two Spanish forwards in their ranks. "Juventus are defensively one of the best teams in the world. They have Fernando Llorente, Morata and Carlos Tevez, all of whom are very dangerous and understand each other well," Alba told reporters. "They're very hard to beat. Tevez and Morata are two players who complement each other very well, yet are very different from one other. Tevez is quicker and more skilful, while Morata holds the ball up well and has a great shot." The showpiece event will take place in Berlin.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Pique: Champions League win would be perfection The Barcelona defender was elated after his side won the Copa del Rey and hopes they can complete the treble with European glory. May 31, 2015 Gerard Pique says that Barcelona can reach "perfection" if they complete their treble win by beating Juventus in the Champions League final. The Catalan side defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in the Copa del Rey on Saturday to add to the Liga title they previously claimed. Luis Enrique's men take on Juve in the European final on June 6, as they seek to win their first Champions League title since 2011. Pique says the campaign has been excellent thus far, but the side can make it perfect next Saturday. "After the league and the cup, if we win the Champions League, it'd be reaching perfection. It's already a great season, but the Champions League would make it brilliant," he told reporters after the game. "We got ready for the Copa del Rey final as if it were against Real Madrid or Atletico. They pressured us for the ball hard at the beginning, but we made good use of the spaces." Neymar courted controversy with some Athletic players due to a perceived lack of respect towards the end of the game, but Pique insisted it was not significant. "It's no big deal. Maybe Neymar shouldn't have been showboating so much and perhaps the Athletic players were already a bit wound up because they were losing."

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Enrique: 'Perfect Barca-Juve timing' May 31, 2015 Luis Enrique believes the Champions League Final against Juventus arrives at “the perfect time” for Barcelona. The Blaugrana won La Liga with a round to spare and last night beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 for the Copa del Rey. That means either Barça or Juve will achieve the Treble in Berlin next Saturday. “We had a great performance against an excellent Athletic side,” the former Roma Coach told reporters. “We’re in good shape and it’s the perfect time to reach a challenge like the Champions League Final. “Now we will enjoy this Double, but from Sunday will immediately put our heads towards Berlin. “We’ll see if we can beat Juventus too, though it will certainly be a tough match.” There were some reports of injury concerns around Andres Iniesta after he was substituted due to a muscular problem during the game. He had ice placed on his calf after coming off, but seemed to be moving without pain during the trophy ceremony.

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JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Barcelona do the Double May 30, 2015 Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in the Copa del Rey, so they or Juventus will win a Treble in the Champions League. Whatever the outcome in Berlin next Saturday, one of the two clubs will enjoy a Triplete – securing all three major trophies in a single season. Juve have the Scudetto and Coppa Italia sewn up, while Luis Enrique’s Blaugrana now grip the Liga title and Copa del Rey. Tonight’s Final was one-way traffic, as Leo Messi bagged a brace in the 3-1 triumph, including a stunning slalom past four players to net at the near post. Barcelona also set a new Spanish record of 120 goals in a single season, while they became the first club since 1954 to win every game in the Copa del Rey.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) When is the Champions League final? We've got all the key details ahead of the biggest game in European club football next weekend. May 30, 2015 Barcelona and Juventus will battle it out in the Champions League final in Berlin on June 6, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45 CET. The game will take place at the iconic Olympiastadion and will see nearly 75,000 supporters cram into the venue to see who will be crowned the best team in Europe. Real Madrid won the trophy last season but the Bianconeri overcame the Spanish club in the semi-finals, while Barca saw off Bayern Munich to seal their place in the showpiece. Taking charge of the game will be Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir. The 38-year-old has officiated 70 Uefa matches, including four Champions League and three Europa League games this season. He will be assisted by fellow Turks Bahattin Duran and Tarik Ongun, while the fourth official will be Jonas Eriksson from Sweden. Two additional assistant referees have also been appointed in Turkish pair Huseyin Gocek and Baris Simsek.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Lionel Messi: Juventus test won't be easy, but Barcelona are ready May 30, 2015 Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi admits that "anything can happen" in next weekend's Champions League final, while Juventus attacker Carlos Tevez has hailed the Blaugrana's attacking trident as the "best in the world." Barca are big favourites going into the final in Berlin, having already eliminated the champions of England, France and Germany on their way to the showpiece event. Juve have reached this stage of Europe's top competition for the first time since 2003, but impressed especially when dispatching last year's champions Real Madrid at the semifinal stage. The two Argentines were interviewed ahead of the game by Premium Sport, giving quotes picked up Mundo Deportivo. "We know it will not be easy," Messi said. "But we have the chance to be champions again and that is what the club and everyone is hoping for." The Barcelona striker also praised his countryman, while saying anything could happen in the game, despite his side being favourites due to their last two Champions League final triumphs in 2009 and 2011. "Tevez is a great player and Juventus are a difficult opponent, physically strong," he added. "It is a final and anything can happen. But we are ready as we were in the previous ones." Tevez -- who has been recalled to the Albiceleste squad to play alongside national captain Messi in the summer's upcoming Copa America in Chile -- revealed he would not be thinking about the personal head-to-head battle in Berlin. "Messi and I will think more about the game than meeting face-to-face," he said. "We are teammates with Argentina and we both want to win the Champions League." Tevez was fulsome in his praise of Barca's all-South American front three of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, who have already contributed a total of 117 goals this term between them. "Barca is the strongest team in the world, and they have the three best forwards on the planet," he added. "So we must work a lot and play a perfect game."

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Why Juventus Should Play with a Back 4 in Champions League Final May 30, 2015 After a 13-year absence, victory over Real Madrid saw Juventus at last return to the Champions League final. The story of that semi-final triumph was undoubtedly the two goals scored by Alvaro Morata, the 22-year-old netting in both legs against the club he left only last summer. Yet beneath the young Spanish striker’s headline-grabbing performances, another major factor was undoubtedly at play. Massimiliano Allegri has had an incredible impact since being appointed by the Bianconeri, his decision-making proving especially crucial throughout the Old Lady’s surprising run in Europe’s elite competition. As they prepare to face Barcelona on June 6, it could well be that the choices made by the man in the dugout prove to be crucial. Chief among them is something else that was on display in that clash with Real Madrid earlier this month, leading to a tactical question that could be central to events at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. In the first leg against the reigning holders at Juventus Stadium, a 57th-minute strike by Carlos Tevez handed the home side a crucial but fragile 2-1 lead. Just seven minutes later, Allegri sent on Andrea Barzagli, simultaneously switching the side into a hugely familiar 3-5-2 formation for the remainder of the match. It was a reversal of the shift made earlier in the campaign, the coach moving to a back four after three seasons in which the three-man defence had been the preferred framework of his predecessor Antonio Conte. Barzagli had missed a huge portion of the season injured, but since his return in early March, he had provided Juventus with a formidable tactical weapon. The 34-year-old has now made 16 appearances, with the team winning on all but three of those outings. They also kept no fewer than nine clean sheets in those games, the former Palermo and Wolfsburg defender once again providing guaranteed solidity every time he takes to the field. His performances—and those of the team with him in it—have led to speculation that the Bianconeri may line up that way against Barcelona. The 3-5-2 is seen as an antidote to the potent attacking talents of Neymar, Luis Suarez and the incomparable Lionel Messi, but the choice to use it may not be that simple. The alternative is what Allegri dubbed “4-3-and then we’ll see” in an interview with La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) earlier in the campaign. Within that formation, Juventus have been in devastating goalscoring form themselves, providing far greater support to the newly formed partnership between Tevez and Morata. It has also allowed the likes of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Roberto Pereyra much more freedom, making the Bianconeri increasingly dangerous going forward. That stands in some contrast with the way the team can look when deployed to protect the three-man defence, often looking particularly stale if opponents can keep wing-backs Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra occupied. A back four ensures that other weapons are available higher up the pitch, and it is vital that Juventus do not simply sit deep and allow Luis Enrique’s team to attack them while dominating and dictating the tempo. Club director Pavel Nedved stressed that the team are acutely aware of that, telling Isport Blesk (h/t Football Italia): "Barcelona have a great attack but we defend well and not only that, we want to create problems for their back line. What we mustn’t do is be passive and hand Barca the initiative. They are used to playing in that situation. We must be careful, otherwise it won’t end well." Allegri’s decision may also have been made much more simple earlier this week, after the club announced that Barzagli was suffering with a thigh injury. With his availability for the final now in doubt, Angelo Ogbonna perhaps offers an alternative, but handing him a starting berth in such a huge tie would clearly be a massive gamble. Yet the coach has shown throughout 2014-15 that he is not averse to making bold choices, as he proved in fielding Stefano Sturaro against Real Madrid. The 22-year-old had only made six previous starts since arriving in January, but he repaid the faith of Allegri by turning in an assuredly mature performance. The three-man defence—particularly in the event that Barzagli recovers in time—offers greater security, but the Bianconeri may once again opt to begin their first final since 2003 with a more traditional back four. It provides an intriguing question that will hang over the buildup to this huge encounter of two of the continent’s most prestigious clubs, and one that could yet decide the destination of the Champions League trophy.

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Nedved: Barcelona big favourites May 30, 2015 Juventus director Pavel Nedved believes Barcelona are big favourites in next Saturday’s Champions League final, but that his side stand a chance. Nedved was part of the last Bianconeri team to reach a Champions League final in 2003 and explained that he fears Barcelona’s talented attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. “I am superstitious, so I have to say that Barcelona are big favourites,” he said to Isport Blesk. “The favourites tag often gives teams more pressure and I think we have a good chance. “Anyone who has that front three in their team begins every match 2-0 up…They have so much talent that it’s hard to know how to stop them. “They are unpredictable and can do anything, but the match is open. “Barcelona have a great attack but we defend well and not only that, we want to create problems for their backline. “What we mustn’t do is be passive and hand Barca the initiative. They are used to playing in that situation. We must be careful, otherwise it won’t end well. The former Czech Republic international reflected on the differing emotions as a player and director and also the changes the Bianconeri have experienced in recent years. “To be honest, there are maybe more emotions now. As a director you feel the value of the club more. “When I was a player I knew what to do and the emotions were on the pitch mainly. Now I feel responsible for the whole club. “Winning the Champions League would be very significant for me. We didn’t expect to get this far, but we deserve it. “Juventus have changed a lot in the course of the last five years, first of all we’ve returned to the summit of Italian football. “I’d say that in Italy we dominate, while in Europe it’s not so simple. This season we’ve gone far in the Champions League, but there are still three or four teams stronger than us. We still have work to do.”

JUVENTUS - BARCELONA - FINAL Saturday, June 6th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Olympiastadion, Berlin Referee:‬ Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey) Eden Hazard backing Juventus to beat Barcelona in Champions League May 30, 2015 Chelsea forward Eden Hazard says he will be rooting for Juventus legends of the game in the Champions League final, and hopes he will get his hands on the trophy himself soon. Gianluigi Buffon has what might prove, at the age of 37, to be his last chance of getting his hands on the Champions League trophy, while Andrea Pirlo could touch the prize for the third time after winning it twice with AC Milan. "For champions like them, it would really be the cherry on top," Hazard told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "They have had extraordinary careers, above all winning the World Cup with Italy in 2006. "I don't know when they will retire, but it would be fantastic if two players like Buffon and Pirlo could succeed in triumphing together in the Champions League. "They are the champions of everybody who loves football." Barcelona may be the favourites, but over 90 or 120 minutes, Hazard feels the Bianconeri have a chance to crown their season and complete a treble. "Juve have already won the Double with the scudetto and the Coppa Italia, and these successes have given [Max] Allegri's team more self-belief," Hazard said. "In a final, it comes down to details and the Italians have always been capable of springing surprises."

VERONA - JUVENTUS 2 - 2 Roberto Pereyra (42') Luca Toni (48') Fernando Llorente (57') Juanito Gómez (90'+) Saturday, May 30th, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium, Verona Referee: Marco Di Bello Juventus understandably distracted in Hellas Verona draw with Barca next May 30, 2015 Mistakes were made, the concentration wasn't there and the rhythm was off, but Juventus still managed a 2-2 draw against Hellas Verona, a side that simply refused to be defeated by the Old Lady yet again this year. Deployed in a 4-3-3 formation, Andrea Mandorlini's men seemed determined to attack, attempting to exploit the fact the Bianconeri were not too interested in another league triumph. With Luca Toni chasing the capocannoniere title, the team played for him to ensure he would grab the necessary goals to outdo his competition and become Serie A's top scorer despite being 38 years of age. A Mauro Icardi brace on Sunday left Toni in a tie for the prestigious award. True to his word, Massimiliano Allegri did not rotate the squad fully and played many of his starters to ensure they are match fit and raring to go on Saturday evening when they play Barcelona in the Champions League final. Yet despite the talent on show and the desire to maintain a competitive edge, numerous little mistakes were made to allow Verona a chance to play a great game and grab a point at home. Two particular players disappointed, which raises a few concerns going forward. Neither Carlos Tevez nor Paul Pogba exhibited their talent and were guilty of making silly errors and losing concentration when Allegri needed them to prove themselves on the pitch. The coach proceeded to criticise the young Frenchman in his post-match comments asking him to stop showboating while several critics labelled his performance arrogant. Pogba is indeed a magnificent talent, but he has begun to stagnate in his development and his difficulties in recovering his form after the injury suffered are only exacerbating the problem. The problem with the midfielder is his mind -- his emotions dictate his every performance. At times he is guilty of belittling the opponent, as he did on Saturday afternoon. On other occasions, his desire to make an impact results in him overthinking every move when he should learn to trust his instincts more. This was hardly the performance Allegri wanted from the man, especially considering the coach is deciding on who to play against Barcelona. By contrast, Roberto Pereyra ahead of him played a magnificent game and scored a goal that will be remembered for its beauty. A playmaker that consistently looked to get forward, he wasn't offered as much help as he would have liked yet still put his team in the lead just before half time. Once a player that could barely finish, the midfielder has since honed his skills and produced some wonderful goals in the latter stage of the season. More importantly, his decision-making skills have improved while he has learnt how to make the most out of his special talents, offering the attack a new dimension. It remains to be seen whether he will be starting in the final but he certainly played a match that will force Allegri to consider his options. Juventus had the chance to make it 3-1 but Tevez, who played an uncharacteristically selfish game (perhaps in his attempts to overtake Toni in the goalscoring charts), missed his penalty. Verona instead equalised a minute later to snatch a celebrated point at home. It's difficult to be too critical of the Bianconeri considering the fact they had nothing to play for and have their minds firmly focused on next Saturday. The concentration levels were not where they needed to be, yet from a physical point of view, the squad was both energetic and dynamic. They are not quite yet exhausted and seem just as fit as ever. Considering the manner in which Barcelona won the Copa del Rey on the same night, Juventus will need all their might to stop a Catalan side in fine form, one that perfectly combines physical tenacity with technical beauty. The chances of a win are slim but an Italian side can never be underestimated. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

VERONA - JUVENTUS 2 - 2 Roberto Pereyra (42') Luca Toni (48') Fernando Llorente (57') Juanito Gómez (90'+) Saturday, May 30th, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium, Verona Referee: Marco Di Bello Juventus 2-2 Hellas Verona: Bianconeri finish Serie A season with their minds in Berlin May 30, 2015 Juventus went into this match with one major objective and two relatively minor ones. The most important thing was to avoid injuries at all costs while keeping match sharpness. Of lesser importance was Carlos Tevez's capocanoniere record and Pirlo's free-kick record. In the end, no player was injured, Tevez and Pirlo didn't get their records, and Juventus suffered a meaningless 2-2 draw. All of this in a game that clearly showed the Bianconeri minds were already in Berlin. MATCH SUMMARY Juventus started the match strong, creating a few chances and making their physical presence felt. With that being said, Verona did not want to be the sacrificial lambs and were determined to put up a fight. A few minutes into the game, one of Verona's attacks resulted in an Angelo Ogbonna hand that was not whistled. After that it was Juventus controlling possession but doing little with it. This was until around the 30 minute mark when Fernando Llorente's volley was denied by the woodwork. Llorente continued to have chances as he was a few seconds behind from scoring on an open net from a Tevez assist. After all of this pressure, the goal really came out of nowhere. Roberto Pereyra must have been watching Alessandro Del Piero's replays because he curled it just like Il Capitano. The Argentine moved into the edge of the box and put the ball in the top right corner. Seeing the young 24-year-old get into the score sheet more regular will make a case for Max Allegri to bench Andrea Pirlo more regularly in the future. No, I don't mean the Champions League final but next season, but I digress. Everything was looking up at that point, Juventus could now focus on giving Tevez his chance to be the league's top scorer. Unfortunately, "young" Luca Toni did not get that memo and scored the equalizer shortly after the second-half began. It was a potent strike on Gigi Buffon's near post from cross-range. This goal would make it almost impossible for Tevez to catch-up with Toni. This could be a great reason for Tevez to stick around for another year (maybe not). Juventus will take the lead back a few minutes later courtesy of a beauty from Pirlo. The Italian put the ball over the top of the defense into an unmarked-four-scudetto-winner Simone Padoin, who will calmly setup Fernando Llorente to score the Old Lady's second of the night. At that point, you can tell that Juventus didn't want to run or risk injuries anymore and the game lost most of its momentum. Verona tried with everything they had but it was Juventus who would come closest to scoring. A Verona player clearly pushed Llorente in the area and conceded a corner. Tevez stepped up in hopes of reducing the goal gap with Toni but could not put the ball past the keeper. Rafael celebrated that save like he scored a match-winning goal himself. Although I wasn't too impressed with the save, it was nice to see how tightly knit that team is around Toni. Other clubs like Roma, Inter, and even Real Madrid should learn from the comradery in Verona's squad. At the end of the match, Simone Pepe, who came on as a substitute, committed a harsh foul and was shown a straight red. From the resulting free-kick Juanito will make it all level and 2-2. It is unfortunate that Pepe's last game (I am assuming his contract won't be renewed) will finish in such a way. It is also unfortunate that Juventus couldn't win and keep a clean sheet. But if I look at the other alternative: Marchisio, Vidal, Bonucci, or Tevez suffering a serious injury and Juventus winning 10-0, I take the draw any day. LE PAGELLE Who says Beppe Marotta is the only one who can hand bonuses, I also can hand end-of-season pagelle bonuses with the points that we didn't give away during the year. So here we go: Buffon 6 + 4 bonus. Could have done a little bit more today but his defense was not willing to give him a hand. Plus-4 for organizing the best defense in Italy and one of the best in the world. Evra 6.5 + 2 bonus. Solid in defense and had no blame in the scoreline. If anything he was a threat up front. Plus-2 for his major improvement as the season went on. Bonucci 5.5 + 4 bonus. 5.5 for falling sleep on defense today. With that being said, all of this happened after playing some solid 45 minutes at the beginning of the match. Plus-3 for becoming, in my opinion, the most consistent defender in our squad. Plus-1 extra for scoring in so many decisive matches. Ogbonna 5.5 + 0 bonus. Same as Bonucci, played well on the first half and went to sleep on the second half. The only difference is that Bonucci is a starter next week whereas Ogbonna may not even make the bench. No bonus for you for your casual jogs in big matches. Shape up or move on. Padoin 7 + 2 bonus. You ask him to cover Lichtsteiner's spot he does it. You ask him to cover Evra's spot, he does it. You ask him to setup Llorente's goal, he does it. Most importantly, plus-2 because we asked him to help us troll Roma and Totti? He does it. Pogba 6.5 + 2 bonus. Fancy but not a game changer. It is almost as though all this fame is getting to him. He needs to focus to continue to grow. Again, I don't blame him much because he will be playing the biggest game of his match in a couple of days. Plus-2 for some wonderful goals this season. Pirlo 7.0 + 2 bonus. What a pass today to setup the second goal. He also had other great plays that unfortunately didn't amount to much. Plus-2 for the free kicks and the Torino goal. Marchisio 7.0 + 3 bonus. Seven for being Marchisio. Plus-3 for giving Juventus a genuine alternative in the regista role. Pereyra 7.0 + 2 bonus. Dat goal! Oscar would be great, but with Pereyra and Coman we can make do. Plus- for improving his finishing. Llorente 7.0 + 1 bonus. Is it just me or has Llorente been consistently improving towards the end of the season? I am glad he finished the season with a goal. Plus-1 for being such a dressing room presence and helping nurture Morata's talent. A class act. Tevez 6.0 + 4 bonus. Today was not his day, fair enough, but it wasn't all bad, if you forget about the penalty you will realize that he was involved and contributed to the team. During the first-half he looked remarkably selfless. +3 for carrying the team on his back. Plus-1 for the Parma goal. Allegri 6.0 + 2 bonus. The job of motivating his players for this game must have been hard. Whatever he told them in the dressing room worked for the first half, but the team was uncharacteristically distracted in the second half. +2 for shutting me up and giving us all a great Serie A season. Conclusion I don't really have much else to add. Juventus drew a game which they should have won, but walk away without injuries. As long as Luca Toni wins the capocannoniere title, I am all good. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Sí e Orgoglio gobbo ha aggiunto che nel Bari giocava Protti che quell'anno divenne capocannoniere come Toni in questa stagione.

Non é vero. Senza gli utenti non ci sarebbe nemmeno lo staff.

VERONA - JUVENTUS 2 - 2 Roberto Pereyra (42') Luca Toni (48') Fernando Llorente (57') Juanito Gómez (90'+) Saturday, May 30th, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium, Verona Referee: Marco Di Bello Toni: 'Verona future not certain' May 30, 2015 Luca Toni celebrated his 22nd goal of the season, hopes Mauro Icardi doesn’t get a hat-trick, but won’t commit to Verona yet. The centre-forward completed his Serie A campaign and is now top of the Capocannoniere charts ahead of Carlos Tevez and Icardi on 20. “Tomorrow I can sit back and relax watching the games. Unless Icardi gets a hat-trick, I’ll be Capocannoniere again at the age of 38. That’s pretty satisfying,” he told Sky Sport Italia after a 2-2 draw with Juventus. The striker turned 38 this week and is set to take the top scorer title nine years after the last. “How old do I feel? 26. No, actually that’s a bit low. Let’s say 30. If I scored all these goals, it is thanks to the whole team. Rafael celebrated his penalty save on Carlos Tevez with me. “It has been an extraordinary campaign for the side and not just for me. Tonight we can celebrate all together. “If I win the Capocannoniere crown then I’ll have to reward my teammates with a gift. I’ll probably receive phone calls with suggestions!” Verona President Maurizio Setti said his contract renewal was “a formality,” but Toni warned he might not sign it. “I don’t know what will happen, as there are directors who are leaving the club. I have a strong rapport with the city and the fans, but we’ll have to see who is the Coach and director next season. “Perhaps the new people who come in will want to lower the age of the strike force. There are many things to resolve first.” It was a friendly encounter with his former teammate – and fellow 2006 World Cup winner – Gigi Buffon. “I’ve known Gigi for many years and now he’s going to Berlin, a stadium that brought good luck to Italy. It would be very important for an Italian side to win the Champions League. “They are facing a very strong Barcelona side, but in a one-off match anything can happen. If Juve win, then perhaps Gigi could be a serious candidate for the Ballon d’Or.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

VERONA - JUVENTUS 2 - 2 Roberto Pereyra (42') Luca Toni (48') Fernando Llorente (57') Juanito Gómez (90'+) Saturday, May 30th, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium, Verona Referee: Marco Di Bello Carlos Tevez Loses out to Luca Toni in Serie A Scoring Race May 30, 2015 Having comfortably won the Serie A title by a wide margin, Juventus travelled to Verona on Saturday with very little to play for. With only a week before they face against Barcelona in the Champions League final, the Bianconeri were clearly approaching their last game of the domestic campaign as preparation for that clash. Their opponents at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi were a Hellas Verona side who began the weekend in 14th place in the table, their top-flight status for next season already assured and no possibility of securing a place in Europe. With both sides somewhat indifferent to the final result, the game began in good spirits, with the visitors particularly pleased to see former team-mate Luca Toni captaining the Gialloblu. The striker—who left Juventus in 2012—was one of few men with anything left to play for, sitting at the top of the Serie A goalscoring charts. Lining up across from Toni, Carlos Tevez was—along with Mauro Icardi of Inter—just one strike behind, and both men were clearly hoping to clinch the honour. The Bianconeri No. 10 had finished three goals behind Torino’s Ciro Immobile last term, but Massimiliano Allegri said he would be given the chance to go one better this time around. “He wasn’t involved last Saturday and will have the opportunity to draw level with and overtake Toni in the Serie A top scorers list,” the Juventus coach told reporters on Friday, per the club’s official website. “Both would be deserved winners for their achievements this season.” Toni, who collected the Capocannoniere crown with Fiorentina back in 2007, was also eager to lift the prize for a second time. Dario Hubner is the oldest man to accomplish the feat, with the 38-year-old Hellas striker already three years his senior and hoping to become the club’s first player to end a season as the league’s top scorer. His coach, Andrea Mandorlini, told RAI Sport last week that he enjoyed a good relationship with the 2006 World Cup winner, saying that the Gialloblu play to create chances for the 6'4” front man (h/t Football Italia): "Toni challenging to be Capocannoniere is a fairy tale for him, his team-mates and his coach. I’m proud to be working with such a great player and the whole team works for him." It would be the home side who seized the initiative once the game got underway, and Toni almost netted his 22nd goal of 2014-15 after just five minutes. Gigi Buffon managed to force his early effort wide, and shortly after, the former Bayern Munich star failed once again when Emil Hallfredsson somehow kept the ball in play a few minutes later. As the match approached half time, however, it would be Roberto Pereyra who would overshadow the scoring race, netting a stunning goal, as he curled a wonderful effort into the far top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance to stop it. Tevez would beat his man only to see his shot deflected into the side-netting, a miss he would rue shortly after the break. A swift Hellas counter-attack saw Hallfredsson pick out Toni, and the striker would make no mistake, beating Buffon at the near post to pull his side level. He almost gave them the lead after a good cross from Jacopo Sala, only for a great piece of interplay from Andrea Pirlo and Simone Padoin to present Fernando Llorente with the simplest of chances. The Spanish star tapped it in and would win a penalty 20 minutes later, after being pulled down by Rafael Marquez. Tevez would see his spot-kick saved by Rafael, and Juve’s afternoon went from bad to worse, as first Simone Pepe was sent off and then Juanito Gomez stole a late equaliser. It is hard to begrudge a man like Luca Toni the top scorer crown, but Tevez will regret not taking the chance he had to close the gap. Both men could yet be overtaken by Icardi, but the Bianconeri will now turn their attention to Barcelona and Berlin. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111