Italy's biggest club Juventus takes on Spanish giants and defending champions Real Madrid tonight in Cardiff in the Uefa Champions League final, which promises to be a mouth watering encounter for all soccer fans. There is no doubt that two of the best teams in the tournament have made it to the summit clash and it is expected that it will be a clash for the ages.
Big game big players
Real Madrid, whose attack would be led by Isco, Karim Benzema, and super star Cristiano Ronaldo, hardly ever fail to score. However, on the other hand, they would be faced with a famously stingy Juventus back line, marshalled by Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
To put this into perspective, Juventus have conceded only 3 goals in a total of 12 games in the Champions League this season, while Real Madrid have not failed to score even once. So, it is the classic unstoppable force meets immovable object scenario and the matchup presents the makings of an intriguing tactical battle that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats. That said, the Real Madrid defenders and Juventus attackers are no pushovers either and one can expect a lively game when the likes of Higuain and Dybala run at Sergio Ramos and Marcelo. There are no fitness issues concerning either of the two teams and the teams will field their first choice line ups tonight.
The men in the dug out
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri sounded extremely feisty in his press conference yesterday as the club looks to end their 21 year Champions League drought. He said that Juventus simply needed to win and also stated how his players should approach the game. Allegri said, "We have to have the belief that we can bring that cup home and we have to be fiendish to strike when Real offer us an opening." The hurt of losing the final against Barcelona two years ago must also be a huge motivation for the players who ended as runners up on that day.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, who guided the club to the trophy in 2016, does not have many selection headaches going into the game. The only issue is whether to play the now healthy Gareth Bale or stick with Isco, who has been one of their best players over the past few weeks. It is widely believed that Gareth Bale will not be in the starting eleven. Reacting to the constant speculation regarding the two players, Zidane said, "They're both very important players and everyone can give their opinion but it won't influence me."
