B/R Experts Predict the Champions League Final
Real Madrid face Juventus in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday knowing victory will make them the first side to defend the trophy since the tournament was rebranded in the 1990s.
Will Zinedine Zidane's men get the job done, or will Max Allegri's side thwart them?
Our experts have been poring over the form book, and their views are below.
Karl Matchett's View on Juventus vs. Real Madrid
This should be one of the most intriguing Champions League finals in years, without the derby factor when Atletico have met Real Madrid, but still with a side with the same defensive solidity and star quality in attack in Juventus.
Real won't change a thing from how they usually play; they'll look to be on the front foot without necessarily dominating possession or pressing high upfield, with most of their best work against quality opposition coming in midfield transitions and getting players forward quickly.
Isco hasn't just been good enough of late to win a place—he's helped force an entirely different tactical arrangement, one that gets the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo but may leave Real vulnerable to Juve's attacks down the wings.
It's plausible that the main protagonist of the game is Juan Cuadrado as an outlet for Juve, and how Real's full-backs cope defensively will determine whether they can become the first team to retain the Champions League-era trophy.
Juve, for their part, must learn lessons of previous finals and not be too withdrawn, too patient or afford Real too much respect.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Paulo Dybala
Lars Pollmann's View on Juventus vs. Real Madrid
Famously, the UEFA Champions League crown has never been defended. Real Madrid have earned the right to attempt this feat against Juventus on Saturday, even though many would still argue Los Blancos are merely a very good side, not a historically great one.
Real's road to Cardiff was much bumpier than that of the Vecchia Signora, having failed to win their group and relying on luck more than anything to get past Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Juventus, on the other hand, have been almost flawless in the competition this season and have their own chance at making history; Allegri's team is aiming for the first treble in the rich history of Italy's superclub.
Real often struggle to control matches, even against lesser opposition, as evidenced by the number of come-from-behind wins it took Zidane's team to capture La Liga this season. Coming back against Juventus, who boast arguably the best defence in Europe, would be a daunting task. Then again, Madrid may be the one side with enough swagger about them to manage just that.
The Italians will rely on their near-perfect organisation and entertain the idea of stopping Real's incredible scoring run—Los Blancos have scored in each of their past 64 matches across all competitions.
Surely Gianluigi Buffon's career will not end without the legendary Juve goalkeeper hoisting the Champions League trophy.
Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Alex Sandro
Adam Digby's View on Juventus vs. Real Madrid
Juventus will take on Real Madrid knowing a victory will validate the quality of the team.
They have won six consecutive Serie A titles—a feat no other Italian side has accomplished—but without a Champions League triumph. That achievement would perhaps be seen as more of an indication of the weakness of their domestic competition rather than the strength of the Bianconeri if they lose on Saturday.
History is difficult to read, as Real Madrid have won just one of their past six meetings with Juve, but they also emerged victorious the last time they met in UEFA's showpiece event. That 1998 defeat was the second of four consecutive final losses for the Old Lady, a record coach Allegri and his players will be looking to end.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Mario Mandzukic
Dean Jones' View on Juventus vs. Real Madrid
It is not always the case that we have Europe's two best teams in the Champions League final, so this is a mouth-watering tie.
Juventus have been the best team over the course of the season, but Real Madrid have a winning mentality that gives them something special.
The amazing defence that Juve have built their season on should not be underestimated. After all, they played 180 minutes of football against Barcelona in the quarter-finals and did not concede a goal.
It will be great to see Paulo Dybala on this stage. It's a fantastic opportunity for him to outshine Cristiano Ronaldo in front of a worldwide audience.
But even when thinking about the brilliant back line and the Dybala goal threat, I cannot help but fancy Madrid to win this final.
They are versatile. They have game-changers from the bench. They are chasing history as the first team to win this trophy in successive seasons as part of the tournament's current incarnation.
I can see Zidane starting with Isco, who's deserving of his spot in the team, then bringing Gareth Bale on midway through the second half.
Just imagine Bale scoring the winner in Cardiff to grab the headlines.
Prediction: Juventus 1-2 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
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