Juventus vs Barcelona - Champions League final combined XI

Forwards: Lionel Messi – Neymar

Neymar and Lionel Messi

Barcelona's front three, who have scored over 100 goals this season, might be the popular choice up front. But I have gone with two of the three and one Juventus attacker sandwiched between them.

Ever since Lionel Messi was moved to the right-side of the attack, the Argentine has had a much better impact on the game. With his ability to go either inside or out, pass or shoot, full backs are left with an impossible question, one which at times looks as though even Messi does not have the answer to. Such has been his goal scoring record over the past few seasons that the fact that he has scored over 50 goals this season has been brushed aside almost as though it is expected.

With the ability to take the game away from the opposition in the blink of an eye, there is no doubt that the 27-year-old is one of the best players in the world and the argument now is simply how long can he keep that going and if Juventus have what it takes to stop the little magician who plays a game of his own at times.

On the left of the attacking trio is Neymar. If the Brazilian was in any team other than Barcelona, he would undeniably be the best player of the side. He has doubled his goal tally from last season and is two shy of finishing the season with 40 goals. But while he has scored plenty of goals and provided plenty of assists, his real value to the side is his understanding with Messi.

While there have been quite a few players who have struggled to flourish in the company of the Argentine, Neymar looks to be getting better and better. Not only does he try and find him at most opportunities, the fact Messi returns the favour as well, means that the pair has developed a strike partnership of sorts from both flanks.

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Striker – Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez has scored a major chink of Juventus’ goals in the Champions League

The final spot in the team goes to Carlos Tevez. While it would be easy to pick Luis Suarez and go with an all Catalan front three, the truth is that the Uruguayan didn't enjoy the greatest of starts to his Barcelona career. In fact, it wasn't until the start of this year that he started to score and assist in equal measure.

With that in mind, Tevez takes the central striker's slot in the side thanks to not only his goals, of which he has scored plenty, but also due to his pace and ability to press and defend from the front - a tactic that has been hugely successful for not just the Spanish side, but the Italians.

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Manager: Massimiliano Allegri

Max Allegri did with the same squad what Antonio Conte couldn’t - dominate Europe

By taking Juventus to the Champions League final, Max Allegri was able to do what Antonio Conte never could, convert domestic dominance into European progress. While Luis Enrique has managed to win over the hearts of fans and players alike after a difficult start, he has had some of the best attackers in the world to help him. But Allegri has brought the Old Lady to a Champions League final with almost the same bunch of players Conte had.

Whether it is proving to be tactically astute in key games or making the best out of players in positions they hadn't previously played in, the fact that the Italian side are near the European elite once again is thanks in no small part to Allegri. That coupled with the side's fourth successive league title means that it is the Italian who is the manager for this combined XI.

Substitutes: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Patrice Evra, Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez, Alvaro Morata

Champions League Combined XI (4-3-3)