#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.
