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An Epic UEFA Champions League Final
May 23 2017 at 04:18pm
http://www.sportthesis.com/2017/05/epic-uefa-champions-league-final.html
Millennium stadium Cardiff Wales is the Venue, June 3rd is the date and history will be in sight when two giants of European football clash for the most glamorous prize on the continent.
Can Real Madrid C.F defend the title or will Juventus win the UEFA Champions league for the first time in 21 years?
No team has ever succeeded in defending the coveted trophy and Real Madrid are seeking to be first side to break the jinx while Juventus will be aiming to win their third European Champions Cup/UEFA Champions league trophy having lifted it 1985 and 1996.
One man who will be eager to taste victory is Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeeper to grace the round leather game. it is hard to believe the shot stopper has never won the biggest prize in European club football, He has suffered heartbreak on two occasions in the final against AC Milan in 2003 and Barcelona in 2015, Buffon will be hoping to erase the painful memory of both occasions.
Real Madrid are unarguably the most successful European club side while Juventus has been the most unluckiest in European cup competitions loosing six finals. Both teams will be high on confidence based on current form with Juventus sealing the SERIA A title and also boasting of the best defensive record in this season's competition conceding just three times in their run to the final.
Madrid have just clinched the La Liga title at the expense of Barcelona their first since 2012. Real Madrid will be banking on the resurgence of their prolific talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to propel them to victory. Ronaldo had a relatively quiet start to Madrid's bid for a 12th European cup triumph, netting just twice in six group-stage appearances but he has made amends in the knockout stage scoring an impressive 8 goals in four matches against Bayern Munich and Athletico Madrid and Real will be hoping he can replicate such form in the final against a very stingy Juve defence.
Juventus are not short of quality either, In Paulo Dybala they have a player capable of winning matches for them. Dybala was very instrumental in the defeat of Barcelona scoring twice in the first leg. The 23 year old forward has been likened to a young Iionel Messi and it was easy to see why he smashed two goals just inside 22 minutes at the Juventus stadium and made Gerard Pique look rather silly.
Juve will also be banking on the ever reliant Dani Alves who has never lost a UEFA Champions League Final while at Barcelona. this Juve side looks a lot more stronger and balanced than the side that lost to Barcelona in the 2015 final.
Samir Khedira and Miralem Pjanic have formed a strong midfield partnership, Juan Cuadrado and Mario Manzukic are playing through their skin at the moment attacking as well tracking back to offer defensive support, Gonzalo Higuain has been banging in goals since his purchase and he will be hoping to overcome his travail of misfiring in major finals most especially with the Argentine National team.
Giorgio Chiellini, Mehdi Benatia, Leonardo Bonucci and Alex Sandro are marshalling the defence well and their record is proof, old warhorse Buffon is always a stumbling block for oppositions. With all this in place Juventus are well equipped to claim victory.
Real Madrid is always an explosive team to play against and of course they won't be an easy nut to crack, the team remain unchanged from the side that conquered Athletico Madrid in last season's final so they have that element of continuity, consistency and experience going for them, the trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casmeiro are always capable of dictating play from the midfield. they have efficient full backs in Carvajal and Marcelo they are both dangerous on the flanks providing assists for their front men, and when it comes to goal scoring no defender does it better than Sergio Ramos, the defender has always proven to be the man for big occasions, scoring vital goals when it matters most.
In the world of football today hardly will you find a team that possess the quality of the Real Madrid bench, Alvaro Morata, Isco, Asensio and James Rodriguez are players capable of walking into the first eleven of any team, yet they warm the substitute bench of Real Madrid but this players have all been impressive whenever they are been called upon.
Isco is even touted to play ahead of Bale in the final, the Welshman has been ravaged by injuries and has also been struggling for form this season.
Real are vulnerable at times at the back conceding cheeky goals with goalkeeper Keylor Navas the major culprit, Madrid need to work on this as Juventus will be looking to take advantage of their defensive frailties.
The game will be very explosive and highly intensive, it's a 50- 50 chance for both sides and it promises to be one of those Glorious nights of European club football.
