Juventus v Barcelona, UCL Final, 6th June k/o 7.45pm - See mod warning in OP

GavRedKing

For the first time in 12 years Juventus will contest a European final, theyre 2 time winners, last winning it in 96 beating Ajax in Rome, they went on to lose the next 2 finals before again losing out to Milan on penalties in 03.

Barca are looking for their 4th title in little under 10 years following victories against Arsenal and Man Utd twice.

Both teams are aiming to complete a treble on the back of impressive domestic seasons.

I cant see past Barca in this one myself even though I'd like to see Juve do it.

Barca 3-1 Juventus

MOD WARNING 6/6: Can we not turn this into another boring Liverpool vs United ****storm?

There's potential for a great match tonight. Don't ruin it with attempts to start up this idiotic problem again.

Just a little Samba

Alegri's sides have put the sh!ts up.Barcelona in European competition in the past, but that was when Barcelona played Sterile Guardiola Ball, with the new system of fast breaking wide play and quick release I can't see the tactics he used with Milan a few years ago working. That said he's proven himself to be an astute tactician and I don't expect it to be a walk in El Parque for Barcelona.
Narrow Barcelona win for me, hope both teams go for it and give us a game.

kfallon

Please God let Juve win, I don't want another Messi wankfest (we've all had one of those )

Don't care who wins.

Hope it's a decent game

Will I Amnt

A walk in the park for Barca unfortunately seems to be the most likely outcome.

Cookiemunster

Chiellini is out of the final with a calf injury.

LuckyLloyd

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Chiellini is out of the final with a calf injury.

Well that's not good.

Delighted to see Tevez playing in a CL final. Methinks he will have an impact of some sort on the game, irrespective of whether it proves enough (which is obviously unlikely).

Hank Scorpio

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Chiellini is out of the final with a calf injury.

Huge blow for Juve

Less theatrics too with the Suarez angle

Cookiemunster

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Well that's not good.

Delighted to see Tevez playing in a CL final. Methinks he will have an impact of some sort on the game, irrespective of whether it proves enough (which is obviously unlikely).

It's the second CL final for Tevez. He started for Utd in 2008.

Johner

Comfortable Barca win, can see them being as dominant as they were in the 2011 final.

duffman13

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Chiellini is out of the final with a calf injury.

Think most Juventus fans see Chiellini as a liability in recent times and would rather Barzagli in there. Might be a blessing in disguise for them

Cookiemunster

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Chiellini is out of the final with a calf injury.

Chickened out of a Suarez rematch

LuckyLloyd

Cookiemunster wrote: »

It's the second CL final for Tevez. He started for Utd in 2008.

Ah, had forgotten that. Great to see him back there all the same, a player I've always admired for his undying on the field commitment.

keeponhurling

Barcelona to get a win, Messi to be the difference between the teams.
Maybe 1-0.

Shane St.

OptaJoe ‏

71.1% - Juventus have won 71.1% of their games with Giorgio Chiellini in 2014-15 (all comps) & only 45.5% without him.

Shane St.

Shane St. wrote: »

OptaJoe ‏

71.1% - Juventus have won 71.1% of their games with Giorgio Chiellini in 2014-15 (all comps) & only 45.5% without him.

Those stats can be incredibly misleading. Sly Sports use them all the time

How many games did he play v games he didn't play?

Skylinehead

They'll miss Chiellini's leadership more than anything - Barzagli isn't quite as good, but he's still a fine defender.

snowblind

duffman13 wrote: »

Think most Juventus fans see Chiellini as a liability in recent times and would rather Barzagli in there. Might be a blessing in disguise for them

Kind of. He's been error prone this season for sure, and sometimes overdoes it when he gets in the BEAST MODE. But then again he's been great at man to man battles and often his BEAST MODE is game saving stuff.

Barzaglis is much more calm and wall-like. With Bonucci already a bit of a hot head, this might be a good thing....or we might miss Chiellini's leadership and drive.

GreNoLi

Looking forward to this even though I fear for Juve, 4-1 to Barca.

Just a little Samba

GreNoLi wrote: »

Looking forward to this even though I fear for Juve, 4-1 to Barca.

You mean tomorrow no?

Caovyn Lineah

All I want is a Barca win and for Suarez to celebrate and dance in front of Evra.

keith16

Caovyn Lineah wrote: »

All I want is a Barca win and for Suarez to celebrate and dance in front of Evra.

Celebrate what? Having the same amount of Champions league medals as Evra?

Turtwig

Dammit Gav stealing my thunder.

The sad thing about this tie is that Juventus will probably have to fit the stereotype of italian teams defend. That's harsh. They're arguably the most flexible and adaptable team that entered the tournament this season. They've evolved from the 3-5-2 predictive text that was Conte's team into something of a sentinel from the Marvel universe. This team can adapt its shape to just about anything. On Saturday that'll largely be a defensive shape and I worry that if they win the ignorant stereotype will be of a great Italian defensive team. When they're anything but.

The next sad thing is the tagline "how will Juve stop Messi." Messi has been on immense form of late but the award for most consistent player probably goes to Neymar. (Right down to missing a sitter every game.) Suarez it was that killed Manchester City and PSG. Messi is undoubtedly a great player but Allegri knows that stopping Messi isn't actually the priority. Rakitic and Neymar provide far more industry to this Barca side. Shut Rakitic out and Barca are in deep water.

Vidal is arguably the most athletic midfielder in the game today. He regularly covers 14-15 km in a match. He also regularly makes great runs that Tevez fails to spot. In honesty, him or Allegri would be entitled to deck Tevez for that. It's shockingly bad how poor his decision making can be at times. I expect Pique to handle Tevez. Only concern being a recovery dash on a counter attack. Which given Tevez's decision making isn't likely to inflict as much damage as it should. Vidal on the other hand is far more slippery prospect. Vidal should be able to harry both Iniesta, and crucially, Busquets. H e can sustain this for 90 minutes too. Juve's best chances come from the three midfielders of Juve providing a defensive screen to their back four. Vidal will be key to that.

The saddest thing of all though is that if you play this game 100 times Barca will win the vast majority of them. Few games will be draws. Even fewer still will be results that end in Juventus win. To borrow the old cliché if Juve are to win they need to play at 200% while Barca need to play below 100%.
I'd love to see Allegri win the trophy. Possibly even more so than Xavi, a player I adore. He's an underrated manager that really deserves more recognition.

Forza Juve!

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Cookiemunster wrote: »

It's the second CL final for Tevez. He started for Utd in 2008.

His third actually, played in '09 too if I recall.

On the game itself I think it's extremely hard to call. Barcelona have the best attack possibly of all-time, and fantastic defence to match, however Juventus also have a very well-balanced team, with their attack probably being their weak point. However, they won't be attacking for much of the game, I imagine the bulk of the game will be played by Barcelona in Juventus' half. Chiellini injured, going by reports, is a blessing in disguise for Juve, and will enable Bonucci to start alongside Barzagli, something that people here hoped for when they played against Madrid.

For me, it all hinges on how much Barcelona score, which I suppose is stating the obvious. They will score at some point, with a front three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar that much is almost inevitable, it simply depends on how much Juventus can limit them to. Of course, an equally significant factor depends on Juve scoring themselves, and scoring a second on top of that would go a long way to winning, provided their back four have the night of their lives. Is it likely however? No, I don't think so. I think Barcelona have too much firepower to be outscored, and I think their defence is too good to concede 2+ goals to this Juventus team. I think Barcelona will win by 2 clear goals, with at least one coming on the counter, however I would still not be surprised in the slightest if Juventus win this game. If Juventus were to win, I would be surprised if it were by more than one goal.

TLDR: Barca to win comfortably.

marklazarcovic

a suarez hat trick and barca to win a close game will be ideal for me, probably be a suarez hat trick of assists though ..messi and luis,two of my favourite players ever ..and a lotta respect for the old lady too

RasTa

Pffft this is Evra's 5th CL final, however probably going to be his 4th runners up medal.

I'd love to see Suarez lift the trophy.

I'd also like to see Juventus lift it on the 30th anniversary of Hysel. Win win for me personally.

eternal

Barcelona will win by a massive amount I would imagine. I would be shocked to see them beaten.

Jelle1880

Turtwig wrote: »

Dammit Gav stealing my thunder.

The sad thing about this tie is that Juventus will probably have to fit the stereotype of italian teams defend. That's harsh. They're arguably the most flexible and adaptable team that entered the tournament this season. They've evolved from the 3-5-2 predictive text that was Conte's team into something of a sentinel from the Marvel universe. This team can adapt its shape to just about anything. On Saturday that'll largely be a defensive shape and I worry that if they win the ignorant stereotype will be of a great Italian defensive team. When they're anything but.

The next sad thing is the tagline "how will Juve stop Messi." Messi has been on immense form of late but the award for most consistent player probably goes to Neymar. (Right down to missing a sitter every game.) Suarez it was that killed Manchester City and PSG. Messi is undoubtedly a great player but Allegri knows that stopping Messi isn't actually the priority. Rakitic and Neymar provide far more industry to this Barca side. Shut Rakitic out and Barca are in deep water.

Vidal is arguably the most athletic midfielder in the game today. He regularly covers 14-15 km in a match. He also regularly makes great runs that Tevez fails to spot. In honesty, him or Allegri would be entitled to deck Tevez for that. It's shockingly bad how poor his decision making can be at times. I expect Pique to handle Tevez. Only concern being a recovery dash on a counter attack. Which given Tevez's decision making isn't likely to inflict as much damage as it should. Vidal on the other hand is far more slippery prospect. Vidal should be able to harry both Iniesta, and crucially, Busquets. H e can sustain this for 90 minutes too. Juve's best chances come from the three midfielders of Juve providing a defensive screen to their back four. Vidal will be key to that.

The saddest thing of all though is that if you play this game 100 times Barca will win the vast majority of them. Few games will be draws. Even fewer still will be results that end in Juventus win. To borrow the old cliché if Juve are to win they need to play at 200% while Barca need to play below 100%.
I'd love to see Allegri win the trophy. Possibly even more so than Xavi, a player I adore. He's an underrated manager that really deserves more recognition.

Forza Juve!

I would love the collective implosion world wide if Juve shut Barca down by defending like crazy and then winning the trophy by hitting them with 1 counter

L'prof

I have a soft spot for Barca and their style of play and while Juve are no minnows they're certainly firm underdogs today. I'd honestly be happy seeing either team win today, just hoping for a good match.

Talib Fiasco

I'm expecting a very tight game...Barca dominating possession and chances but being constantly frustrated. Maybe a 2-1 win either way, most likely to Barcelona of course.

Cienciano

After the quarters I was reckoned Juve would have the best chance in the semi's against Madrid, and in a one off final anything can happen. But Barcelona are massive favourites, I think Juventus are very weak when a team presses them deep. Madrid did it in their best spells against Juve and Barca do it all the time naturally. Juve need time on the ball and Barca won't give it to them.
Would love to see Juve win it, but they're massive underdogs here I'd go for a 3-0 Barca win

efb

The trophy emoji when you tweet #UCLFinal is cool.

I'm such a nerd

dfx-

Very tight game and evenly matched. I was wary of Juventus in the semi-final and they are more than good enough to win it.

Absolutely delighted it isn't Madrid though.

Soby

Can only really see a Barca win here. Juve's best chance will be peno's probably

gimmick

2-1 Juve with Morata getting a late winner.

martyos121

Juve on penalties, I've been saying it for the last two weeks. Italian sides are notoriously difficult to beat in a final, and that should ring true again today. Chiellini is a massive loss though.

Charlie19

Meanwhile in Madrid.

Billy86

RasTa wrote: »

Pffft this is Evra's 5th CL final, however probably going to be his 4th runners up medal.

Almost sounds like you're implying it's better to get knocked out before the final than to get there and lose?

keeponhurling

5 champions league finals for Evra, not bad.

Fun fact of the day: Paolo Maldini played in 8 finals

Soups123

Messi at 3/1 is a great bet, reckon
Barca will win this 3-1

Turtwig

Iniesta supposedly has a calf strain that would see him rested for lesser games. The more I've thought about this match I've been thinking about Juve's approach. They should in theory be able to match this current Barca side in midfield with their pressing game. If Juve's level isn't high enough it'd be one heck of a risk. As Iniesta and Busquets will just use their portal guns and cut through them. I wonder though if Allegri will try it for a while to see how it fares? The doubts about Iniesta would surely given him some encouragement. Juventus need to score and a defence with something to hold onto is always more motivated and disciplined than one without anything.

Charlie19

Barcelona starting XI: Ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Marscherano, Jordi Alba, Sergio, Rakitic, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar


Juventus starting XI: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra, Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba, Vidal, Tevez, Morata.

posturingpat

Did anyone else hear Jamie C saying Busquets cant defend? Am i missing something?

Soups123

posturingpat wrote: »

Did anyone else hear Jamie C saying Busquets cant defend? Am i missing something?

Yes that Jamie C hasn't a clue

marklazarcovic

alba the only weak link in that line up i feel,if you can even call it weak

miralize

Alba - weak?? Probably Top 2 lb's in the world at the moment

Also really glad Ter Stegen gets the nod. Gives Bravo rest before Copa & shows Luchos confidence in him

cj maxx

marklazarcovic wrote: »

alba the only weak link in that line up i feel,if you can even call it weak

Jessica would be defo in my first 3/4

Iused2likebusts

Barca by 2. Highly unlikely juve will keep that front 3 at bay.

super_furry

Have a funny feeling Juventus could cause a big, big upset. There's a big bang of Liverpool 2005 off them.

posturingpat

Barca to walk it. Don't see it close at all. 3-0 for me