Juventus and Real Madrid face-off in the Champions League final on Saturday night.
Zinedine Zidane’s men are looking to become the first team in the Champions League era to successfully defend their crown.
Meanwhile, the Italian outfit are searching for a first triumph in the tournament since 1996, one that would complete a historic treble this season.
Given Madrid’s star-studded attack and Juventus’ dominant defence, the final is a contest almost too close to predict… almost.
Here, our writers predict how they see European football’s showpiece event unfolding.
JAMES PIERCY | EDITOR
Madrid have that Champions League aura and the match-winners in finals that makes them impossible to ignore. But I just don’t think they have enough variation in attack – bar Isco – to trouble this Juventus defence.
Cristiano Ronaldo circa 2012 would, but his frightening dribbling ability no longer exists while Karim Benzema is too one-dimensional and will be gobbled up. Juve, on the other hand, have so many different attacking weapons.
Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Real Madrid
ALEX REA | ONLINE DEPUTY EDITOR
They did it to Barcelona and they will do it to their Spanish rivals too. Juve’s masterclass at the back has made even the most primitive observers appreciate the defensive art form.
They are among the best in the world when it comes to game management and given Real’s soft underbelly, the Italians will gain an advantage early and shut down Cristiano Ronaldo and co. for a first Champions League triumph since 1996.
Prediction: Juventus 1-0 Real Madrid
ANDY WEST | CORRESPONDENT
This final is going to be a cracker, one of the best for years, and Real Madrid will edge it because of their superior firepower. Sure, Juventus possess an outstanding defence, but Madrid have scored in every game for
more than a year and, with Cristiano Ronaldo in top form, they won’t stop now.
Los Blancos are vulnerable defensively and Juve will punish them, but a Sergio Ramos header will win it. Seriously.
Prediction: Juventus 2-3 Real Madrid
ADAM DIGBY | CORRESPONDENT
While Juventus have lost their last four trips to the final of this competition, Real Madrid will be hoping to become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League.
The Bianconeri appear to have found the perfect gameplan to neutralise their opponents’ counterattacking style, drafting in Andrea Barzagli as a right-back and allowing Dani Alves to play in a more advanced role. If Max Allegri’s men perform their best – just as they did in demolishing Barcelona 3-0 in the quarter-finals – it is theirs to lose.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid
ALAM KHAN | CORRESPONDENT
A clash of titans and clash of styles, this promises to be an intriguing encounter between the best attack and the meanest defence. Juve’s high-pressing, aggressive approach belittled Barcelona and Monaco’s qualities in the previous rounds, and Real could crumble in similar fashion against a more efficient all-round team and one with perhaps the greater motivation.
There’s Gonzalo Higuain out to prove a point against his old club and every neutral desperate to see Gianluigi Buffon lift the trophy.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid
MATT JONES | REPORTER
In the land of song it will be the Old Lady rather than the fat lady having the final say in Cardiff on Saturday. Juventus made free-scoring Barcelona look ordinary in the last eight before out-shooting Monaco’s exciting young guns in the semi-finals.
Zinedine Zidane has performed admirably in his first full season at Real’s helm but he is no master tactician. Max Allegri is exactly that, and his nous and experience will see the Bianconeri go one better than their previous final defeat to Barca two seasons ago.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid
BRENDON NETTO | ONLINE JOURNALIST
On merit, Juventus probably deserve it. They’re unbeaten in the competition and boast a ridiculous defensive record. With the treble on the line and possibly Buffon’s last shot at the trophy, they’ll be up for it. Madrid
haven’t been tactically inspiring but have players who rise to the occasion.
If they play a 4-4-2, they could be undone by Juventus’ full-backs. But they get the job done nearly every time, whether it is confidence or just a sense of entitlement having won 11 of 14 finals and all of their last five.
Prediction: Juventus 1-2 Real Madrid
CHRIS BAILEY | SUB-EDITOR
In some quarters it has been billed as BBC defence versus BBC attack, only with Isco swapping in for Gareth Bale. But to think Juventus’ fate rests squarely on the watertight triangle of Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini – in
front of the imperious Buffon – is to do them a great disservice.
Juventus’ turning point at the start of the year came after Max Allegri took the leash off his attack. Paulo Dybala would fit into any Real team and there is an argument that Gonzalo Higuain should still be in one. A more balanced Juve side will win.
Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Real Madrid