A real clash of the titans awaits us in Cardiff on June 3. The cliched ‘immovable object against the unstoppable force’ metaphors will be trotted out for the Real Madrid v Juventus Champions League final epic but, in truth, never has a match been more deserving of that moniker.
Los Blancos have been relentless in their pursuit of success throughout 2016/17 and have relied upon an incredible front six to keep on hammering the door down until the last possible moment.
A La Liga triumph was a stated aim at the start of the season and just 90 minutes separates them from their first domestic title in five years. European success has come as a bonus – but their biggest test is still to come.
Although Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain, in particular, have been firing the guns loaded by Dani Alves, for Juve, their reliance is the reverse of Real. Built on an incredible defensive line, the Bianconeri will be happy to take all that the Spaniards can throw at them.
With only three goals conceded in the entire competition, it promises to be an intoxicating match at both ends of the pitch.
Let’s take a look at five things that we can hope to look forward to in the final.
#1 Ronaldo’s frustration
If there’s one thing that Cristiano Ronaldo hates more than any other, it’s the inability to affect a game, particularly by scoring the game winner.
It’s been 63 games since Real Madrid were last held goalless, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they couldn’t hit the target in Wales. An accomplished Juve back line will look to frustrate Real’s forward line in the same way that they did Barcelona’s and when the Portuguese doesn’t get what he wants, there’s only one default action.
Hitting the deck.
Any way to gain an advantage over defenders that don’t give an inch. Fall to the floor, bang your fists in frustration and berate the officials. The Bianconeri will love that if they see it because they’ll already know that they’ve won the mental battle.
This could be Ronaldo’s crowning glory...or one of the worst 90 minutes of his season.
#2 Battle of the full-backs
Both teams have their own bombastic Brazilian rampaging down the line who also happen to be in red-hot personal form.
What’s more, friends off of the pitch, Marcelo and Dani Alves, will be in direct competition with each other in the final. Whoever gets the upper hand in that particular battle could largely author where the trophy is heading.
Alves has really come into his own in the last few games, scoring a worldie against Monaco in the second leg and setting up Gonzalo Higuain for a brace in the first. Another volley in the Coppa Italia final has really shown Barcelona what they are missing.
If he’s able to get forward into the danger areas here, Marcelo’s own forays will be limited, and that could be fatal for Real’s chances. The left-back has provided immaculate support for his attackers this season, weighing in himself on the scoresheet when it mattered.
Whoever comes out worse off in Cardiff, it won’t be for the want of trying.
#3 Ramos vs Higuain – Defence vs attack
A real old school match up as Gonzalo Higuain returns to play against the team that let him leave, prematurely it must be said. Sergio Ramos continues to grow as a captain and player, but Higuain will have a point to prove.
The Argentinian certainly won’t have any problems in pushing the defender’s buttons and if he can get Ramos carded early, the former Sevilla player will really have to watch his step. Holding back isn’t really in his locker, and that plays right into Higuain’s hands given that he’ll more than happily take the rough stuff for the good of the team.
Indeed, his work at the sharp end is likely to give Paulo Dybala more room to manoeuvre and do damage, similar to the first leg against Barcelona.
Higuain isn’t quite as fit and mobile as he used to be, but if truth be told this is his one shot at European glory. Arguably it’s Gianluigi Buffon’s last chance as well. The blood will be pumping, adrenaline rushing...
However tired the striker may feel, there’s no way he’ll be looking for an early finish to this one.
#4 Isco’s free rein
When you look at just how influential Isco has been over the last few weeks, it’s a wonder that Zinedine Zidane has kept him on the sidelines for so long. Particularly when you consider that the player was most definitely putting the feelers out to other clubs for a potential summer move.
The former Malaga player was seeking a way out and only Zidane’s change of heart looks likely to have changed Isco’s mind.
Thankfully, we haven’t got to the point where his contributions have been too little, too late, for the midfielder has been decisive in just about every game he’s played in.
He’s not known as Magia (Magic) in the dressing room without good reason. Isco is a match winner and a first-class team player and he’s at his creative best when he’s given free reign to do damage. At the tip of a midfield diamond behind an expected front two of Ronaldo and Benzema, we could have the difference maker in the final right here.
#5 Zidane to finally get the credit he deserves?
A common theme running throughout this season is that Zinedine Zidane is, somehow, a lucky manager. Those refereeing decisions always go the way of his teams, when other teams hit the bar or post, Real’s shots go in...
Frankly, that’s a non-argument. Real are on the verge of history precisely because of Zidane’s nous, game management and the way in which he is respected by his staff. His rotation policy has arguably been the best of any manager and the squad have bought into it because it works. Clearly.
However, now he’s up against a manager in Maximiliano Allegri who has brought Juve consistent success but had to do it with essentially two separate squads.
June 2015, Berlin. The Bianconeri were up against Barcelona at this stage of the competition. Pogba, Pirlo, Tevez, Vidal, Evra, Morata...all left. And yet, within the space of two years, here we are again. Coppa Italia in the bag, another Scudetto sown up...treble chance perhaps?
If Zidane manages to outwit Allegri here, both with his initial set-up and then changes throughout, he deserves a lot more than a simple ‘hat tip.’
