UEFA Champions League final:Treble glory at stake for Barca and Juve

By Laolu Olugbenga

Barcelona and Juventus will go to battle this evening in search of treble glory when they face off in the Champions League final in Berlin. It wasn’t too long ago that the whole world thought a first-ever Clasico final was inevitable. That was until Alvaro Morata smoked out those thoughts with the crucial equalizer which took Juve to the final at the expense of his former team. It will also be the first time the two giants will face off in the Champions League final.

Both teams were not expected to make it this far. Last season, Barcelona were flushed out in the quarter finals by Atletico Madrid, while Juve could only manage a round of 16 finish. With new managers at the helm, they have, however, gone on to defy the odds. Luis Enrique, sarcastically dubbed the ‘Spanish David Moyes’, was able to shake off Barca’s early season crisis and thanks to Real Madrid’s injury woes, they were able to clinch LA Liga. Their success is largely credited to the goal scoring trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar Junior. The former and the latter will also have their eyes on the golden boot, with Messi tied with Cristiano Ronaldo on 10 goals, while Neymar is one behind on 9. There is no doubting the fact they will prefer the trophy itself however.

Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked by AC Milan, was appointed to succeed three-time Serie A winner, Antonio Conte. Like how most people show their disgust at how Rafael Benitez was appointed Real Madrid boss, Allegri’s appointment was greeted with scorn and laughter. Fast forward to today and Allegri has done what Conte couldn’t do in the past three seasons. He has made the whole of Italy look like fools. Allegri had stated his target was the quarter finals, but he now wants the top prize.

Juve are more sound defensively, but Barcelona’s trio have scored a total of 120 goals altogether in all competitions this season, marching into the game as the clear favourites. In Carlos Tevez though Juve have a man who will cause the Barca backline some trouble, but the midfield duel should serve us a treat. It will be Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo against Ivan Rakitic, the fit-again Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. All eyes will also be on legendary goalie Gianluigi Buffon who has never won a Champions League medal in his brilliant soccer career.

Giorgio Chiellini will be a huge miss in the final. The defender injured his calf while training and will be replaced by Andrea Barzagli if fit, or Angelo Ogbonna. Undoubtedly Juve’s best centre back, Allegri will hope his absence wont prove to be too costly. Barca have no injury worries.

Barcelona have won the crown four times, meaning a win will hand them their fifth, as well as their second ever treble in the history of the club. Juve have won the crown twice, and will be desperate to complete the much-anticipated treble.



It is expected to be a Barcelona victory, but don’t rule out the Old Lady just yet.