#UCLFinal Everything you need to Know about today’s Final – Part 1
Today is the UCLFinal, and there are a lot of questions on everyone’s mind – topmost will be
– Will Juve complete a treble, first since 1996
– Will Real Madrid win back-to-back, first time ever such will be done
However way tonight goes, and whoever wins – history will still be made, all the more exciting for fans and of course for each team because there is something to fight for.
Pre-match Highlights
Juventus have “been building all season” for Real Madrid, who are bidding to become the first team to retain the UEFA Champions League and are “used to pressure” according to Zinédine Zidane.
– Juventus and Real Madrid meet in Cardiff final at 19:45WAT on Saturday
– Madrid aiming to become first team to retain UEFA Champions League
– Madrid looking to win the third title in four years
– Juventus aiming for third European title, first since 1996
– Bianconeri have lost their last four UEFA Champions League finals
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Juventus: WWWLWD
Real Madrid: WWWLWW
Possible line-ups
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanić; Dani Alves, Dybala, Mandžukić; Higuaín.
Out: Sturaro (thigh), Pjaca (knee)
Doubt: Rugani (leg)
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.
Out: None
Doubt: None
Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus coach
How we’re going to tackle tomorrow’s game is with total tranquillity and serenity. We’ve worked all year for this. It won’t be easy because Real Madrid is the defending champions, but we know what we’ve built over the season and we’ll try to give that little bit more than Real Madrid.
We have worked for a whole year. All the trophies, and all the victories we’ve had this year have been a sort of training for tomorrow. We have to win. It’s one game; you need to analyse the game and see when to attack when to defend and, if we’re able to do that, we have a chance. But we need to feel relaxed and confident that we’re able to win the trophy.
In 2015 we got to the final and deserved to, but at the same time perhaps we were not really strongly motivated – maybe we didn’t feel confident enough after struggling for a few years in the Champions League. We didn’t get to the final by chance, but we didn’t expect to win. This year is different. Last year we had a good season in the Champions League and lost to Bayern in the last minute. We’ve been growing gradually. Now it’s completely different.
Zinédine Zidane, Real Madrid coach
We’ve done a lot of work all season, to win the Liga and to get to this final. What’s most important is that we’re all prepared, and we are. In football, you have to give it your all. I’ve lost many matches, so I know it’s possible to lose. It’s the same for Juventus. We’re going to try to play our game; we know we’re going to play against a great team. What everyone who likes football wants to see is to see a great final.
We know all about pressure at Real Madrid. We’re always favourites, but in reality, in a final, there are no favourites. We’re not favourites, nor are Juventus. It’s 50-50. But we’re in the final again, and everything is possible. I expect an open game on both sides. I’ve lived and been at Juventus, in Italy there’s the famous catenaccio, but Juve doesn’t just have that. I expect an open game.
