The 2016/17 season in European football is all set to witness an exhilarating climax as the continent’s two biggest powerhouses Juventus and Real Madrid, lock horns in the Champions League final in Cardiff tonight.
Both sides were crowned champions of their respective leagues last month, and having bludgeoned their way through to yet another Champions League final where they will now compete for the most prestigious silverware in European club football.
Bookmark this – Real Madrid vs Juventus Live
Whilst a European Cup final over the years has seen several records made or broken, here are a few that can happen in the lastest one.
#1 Real Madrid can become the first team ever to successfully defend the Champions League crown
Twenty-four teams have tried, twenty-four teams have failed. Ever since the European competition became the Champions League back in 1992, no team has ever been able to retain the title a year after winning it.
The likes of AC Milan (1994,1995), Ajax (1995,1996), Juventus (1996,1997) and Manchester United (2008, 2009) all came within a whisker of defending their crown, but only to lose in the final. Real Madrid have a golden opportunity to break the jinx today.
The Spanish champions lifted the Big Ol’ Ears in Milan last year after ousting city rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties, and can now add another feather to their cap by becoming the first team in the Champions League-era to successfully retain the trophy, should they beat Juventus.
History beckons the Blancos.
#2 Juventus can be the fifth team to win the treble
Speaking of the Champions League era, only four teams have managed to do the historic ‘treble’ of League double and the European title in the same season.
Manchester United (1999), Inter Milan (2010), Bayern Munich (2013) and Barcelona (2009 and 2015) are the sides which hold the distinction, whilst Juventus will be hoping to add their name to the lost soon.
The Bianconeris have although been there, but not done that. The 2015 final pitted them against Barcelona in a match touted as ‘The match for the treble’ as both sides swept a domestic double that season. However, the Turin side lost 3-1 in the end to the swash-buckling Catalans.
Two years on from that heartbreak in Berlin, the Old Lady have another opportunity to write their names in the history books.
#3 Ronaldo and/or Ramos can become the first player to score in three finals
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos have been the inspiration behind Real Madrid’s recent success, and tonight’s final presents them with a chance to create more history. Both players have scored in two different Champions League finals and by netting against Juventus, they can make it three- something that nobody has ever done before.
Whilst the Portuguese talisman has bagged a goal apiece for Manchester United and Real Madrid in the 2008 and 2014 finals, the Blancos skipper has netted in 2014 and 2016 editions for the Whites.
Raul Gonzalez (2000, 2002), Samuel Eto’o (2006, 2009) and Lionel Messi (2009, 2011) are the only players who can match their record of scoring in two different finals, but Ronaldo and Ramos can go one better after today’s game. But who’ll be the first?
#4 Buffon to become the oldest ever Champions League winner
At 39 years and 126 days, Gianluigi Buffon may be in the twilight of his career, but his consistent performances suggest he isn’t going to stop anytime soon.
The Juventus legend is still going strong with no visible signs of decline and will be hoping to add the one trophy that has eluded him in his otherwise glittering career – the Champions League.
Should he finally put his hands on the trophy after today’s final, he will not only add another winners medal to his coffer but also hold the record for being the oldest winner of the trophy.
Dino Zoff (41 years and 2 months in 1983 final) and Edwin van der Sar (40 years and 6 months in 2011 final) are the two oldest players to feature in a European final, however, both ended up on the losing side.
#5 Ronaldo to join Seedorf and others for four Champions League titles
The Old Father Time may be catching up with him, but it might take something special to stop someone like Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid ace bagged another 40 goals this season despite playing the fewest number of games in his Real Madrid career and will be eyeing another one in today’s final.
Score or not score, should Real Madrid win the trophy, Ronaldo would also join the elite group of Clarence Seedorf, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Lionel Messi to have won four Champions League titles.
Whilst Lionel Messi did not feature in the 2006 final due to an injury, Iniesta came on as a substitute whereas Xavi was left unused on the bench. That leaves Seedorf as the only player to have actually won the title playing in all four finals right from the start.
Ronaldo could be joining him soon.
