Juventus FC vs Real Madrid C.F.
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Saturday, June 3rd    2:45PM EST    FOX

The culmination of Europe’s 2016-17 club season is nearly upon us as the Champions League Final is set to take center stage in Cardiff, Wales!  It’s Juventus and Real Madrid that will be taking on Millennium Stadium this Saturday for the gold.  Being two of Europe’s “Super Clubs”, the Zebras and the Whites are poised to put on a spectacle for the ages as the squads are littered with world class, era defining and defying players.  In addition, regardless of who lifts the iconic “bunny ears”, club history will be made.  Juventus is chasing a treble of trophies this campaign.  They’ve won Italy’s domestic league and cup already, with the Champions League being Juve’s final task.  Only eight times in history has the feat of winning a treble been accomplished.  Barcelona won it last in the 2014-15 season.  Conversely, Madrid is seeking a record 12th European championship.  In doing so, the Whites would become the first club to win back-to-back European titles since the inception of the Champions League’s current format, which was introduced over 20 years ago.  So without further ado, let’s get you pumped and primed for this instant classic!

Road To The Final

Juventus FC

Upon winning Serie A, Juventus gained automatic entrance to the Champions League Group Stage.  Juve was drawn to Group H, met by competitors Sevilla (ESP), Lyon (FRA), and Dinamo Zagreb (CRO).  On paper, the Zebras appeared to be heavy favorites to win the Group.  Back-to-back-to-back Europa League champions Sevilla were likely Juve’s only serious threat, and still the Zebras took 4 out of 6 points from their two encounters.  In the end, Juventus won Group H by claiming 14 of a possible 18 points on way to the Knockout Stage.  In the Round of 16, the Bianconeri faced off against a gritty, but undisciplined Porto (POR) side.  This lack of coolness was the Dragoes undoing as they played short-handed in both legs, with Juve wining 3-0 on aggregate.  Then came the Quarterfinals.  It was a rematch of the 2014-15 Champions League Final against mighty Barcelona.  Two years ago, Gigi Buffon saw three balls hit the back of his net en route to a 3-1 loss and his second Champions League Final defeat. But this go round was different from the jump.  Paulo Dybala took matters into his own hands as he produced a first half double.  There was no looking back.  Juventus would go on to win the tie 3-0.  Shutting out the MSN for all 180 minutes.  Next up, it was the young guns from Monaco who would try to crack Juve’s iron clad back line in the Semifinals.  Teenage phenom, Kylian Mbappe did just that in the second leg, but by that time the writing was already on the wall.  Gonzalo Higuin netted an away brace in the first leg, while ex-Barca star Dani Alves put his offensive prowess on display in the second leg, as the Zebras romped to the Final via a 4-1 aggregate.

Real Madrid C.F.

Unlike the Italians, Real Madrid’s route to Cardiff wasn’t as straight forward.  Not by a long shot!  Despite being the reigning European champions, Real Madrid were truly tested in the Group Stage.  The Galacticos were drawn to Group F with Borussia Dortmund (DEU), Sporting Lisbon (POR), and Legia Warsaw (POL).  In truth, the Vikingos should have won the group handily.  However, they drew to a valiant, but well under-qualified Legia side 3-3 in Warsaw. They also had two 2-2 draws to Dortmund, on way to finishing behind the German side in second place.  Thus, Madrid were paired up with another Group winner, Napoli, for the Round of 16.  The Italian side, featuring former Whites in Jose Calijon and Abidol, performed admirably as they scored in each leg.  But captain Sergio Ramos and legendary hitman, Cristiano Ronaldo were simply too much as Real rolled to a 6-2 aggregate win.  Then came the Quarterfinals against Bayern Munchen.  Controversy ran rampant in this tie as Bayern found themselves playing down a man in both matches.  Despite that, Bayern still would have gone through to the Semifinals if it weren't for several offside Ronaldo goals that were counted, resulting in an extra time 6-3 aggregate final in favor of the “King’s Club”.  Next it was a much anticipated Madrid Derby Semifinal against Atletico.  The first match opened with Ronaldo scoring yet another offside goal, leading Madrid to a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu. So, the two-legged, “fingers crossed,” extra time drama that the neutrals expected, was thrown out the window after the first 90 minutes. The second leg provided some intrigue, as Atletico went up 2-0 early, but by half time the tie was officially sealed as Karim Benzma worked with Isco for a crucial away goal.  In the end, Real would lose the game 2-1, but win the tie 4-2 and earn a title game berth.

Cardiff Key Performers

Juventus FC

For the Old Lady, we must begin with Gianluigi Buffon!  The Zebra and Nerazzuri #1 has been plying his trade between the posts for 22 years. The club and country captain is not only the best goalkeeper this season, but the best of his generation, and perhaps the best shot stopper in the history of the sport.  He’s broken countless records, and has won a bushel basket of trophies.  But one major award has remained elusive after all these years, the Champions League winner’s medal.  Gigi has been to two prior Finals, but has lost both times.  This go around, perhaps, his future will be brighter.  Buffon is getting a little long in the tooth now, as he is 38 years old, but that hasn’t resulted in a dip in form this season, and I’m sure it won’t come Saturday.  Rather, I expect him to perform as intensely and intently as he has ever done before.  Gigi knows this could be his last rodeo at the summit of European club football,  and he’s surely going to make it count.  Regardless of what Cristiano and company have to say about it. 

Meanwhile, up front, for Juve, the combination of Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain could cause fits for a Real backline that has a hard time keeping clean sheets.  The duo has combined to net 44 goals in all competitions this term, including 9 in the Champions League.  Plus, Higuain will be keen on putting one past his former club, while Dybala might sneak one past his future club.

Real Madrid C.F.

As for the Galaticos, four time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo will once again be in the spotlight.  The all-time Champions League goalscorer has netted 10 times this campaign, one goal behind his biggest competition, Leo Messi, for most strikes this term.  In addition, whether the goals were legal or not, 7 of Ronaldo’s 10 goals have come during the Knockout Stage.  Thus he’s heated up when the games have mattered most.  The question is, will Ronaldo be able to keep his red hot form against Italy’s starting defense?  Yup, Juventus’s defense of Buffon, Bonucci, Barzagli, and Chellini are all Italian national team starters.  Thus, Ronaldo has his work cut out for him, but the all-time great surely has the class to get it done.

In terms of a supporting cast, Real’s collection of Galaticos shimmer as much as a set of Galway crystal.  World class quality can be seen from Madrid on every edge of the pitch and every seat on the bench.  However, two men are poised to play a deciding role in this Final.  First, Sergio Ramos.  The White’s starting center back and club captain have a propensity to pop up on the biggest stage via set pieces.  So, keep an eye on Ramos during every Real corner and free kick.  Second,  has to be Gareth Bale.  Despite being taken off injured in the first half of Madrid’s recent El Clasico loss, Bale will be participating in a homecoming of sorts.  Not only is Gareth Welsh, but he was born in Cardiff and is the country’s National Team captain.  Thus, he’s destined to take to the pitch as a second half substitute and perhaps produce a little magic for the de-facto home supporters.  

LSB Prediction

For the reasons above, this year’s Champions League Final will be filled with superstars and sub-plots.  Whether, it’s witnessing Ronaldo vs Buffon, homegrown Bale coming off the bench, Higuain and Dybala taking on the past and future, or Sergio Ramos stunning us all with a towering header, this Final will be one for the ages.  When it’s all said and done though, it’ll be Gianluigi Buffon and his ballyhooed bundle of men who will finally hoist the iconic “Bunny Ears”.  2-0 Juventus FC