On a heavily tarnished federation filled with allegations of corruption the Champions League final provides a chance to allow fans all over the world to put aside the controversial fifth term re-election of Joseph Blatter for awhile and focus on what made the sport admired and followed fervently, in that fashion, a few things to remember before watching the game on Saturday.
Barca is favourite to land its fifth continental crown while Juve is chasing its third, this season Barcelona’s free-scoring attack has come in for plenty of praise, it’s much-improved defence has often been overlooked, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has provided much-needed assurance in goal while Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano are playing the best football of their careers, which might explain why Barca has conceded only 21 goals in 38 league matches this season. last year it gave away 33 goals in finishing second to Atletico Madrid. Juve’s hopes will rest on the experience of goalkeeper Gigi Buffon and the cultured right foot of playmaker Andrea Pirlo.
The two Azzurri heroes have fond memories of a summer’s evening at the same Olympiastadion in July 2006 when Italy won the World Cup. main striker Carlos Tevez, too, will have a key role to play as Juve tries to beat the odds and take the trophy back to Italy for the first time in five years. this 60th European Cup/Champions League final has all the makings of an Italo-Hispanic classic, It brings together two form teams with enough stars in their ranks to provide plenty of magic moments to remember.
