Champions League Final: Barca or Juve?

The Serie A and La Liga champions also won their domestic cups, with Juventus looking for their first-ever treble, while Barcelona are aiming to repeat their feat under Pep Guardiola in 2009.

Barcelona’s run to the final has seen them beat the reigning champions from three of Europe’s big leagues, with the Italian champions the only ones standing in their way of a second treble

They  should have Luis Suarez available after he recovered from a hamstring injury to play in their 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in last week’s Copa del Rey final.

Lionel Messi has credited Barcelona for developing him as a player

Luis Enrique will be sweating over the fitness of Andres Iniesta, who picked up a calf injury in Saturday’s game, but the midfielder returned to training on Thursday and looks set to start, while compatriot Xavi says farewell with his final appearance before leaving to join Qatari side Al-Sadd.

Juventus have lost their last three Champions League finals since winning on penalties against Ajax in 1995/96.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have won their last three finals – the last one they lost was against AC Milan in 1993/94.

Nine goals in single champions league season

This will be the 7th European Cup/Champions League final between an Italian side and a Spanish one: Italian teams have won only twice.

So far Barcelona have won only two of their eight European meetings with Juventus (D2 L4).

Three of the last four Juventus goals in the Champions League have been in the 57th minute.

Barcelona have scored eight goals in the last 15 minutes of Champions League games this season – more than any other side

However, Juve are yet to concede a goal in that period of their games in the Champions League this season.

For the first time in the Champions League, a team has two players with at least nine goals scored in a single Champions League season (Neymar and Lionel Messi for Barcelona).

A goal for Messi would see him overtake Cristiano Ronaldo and become the competition’s all-time top scorer. They both currently stand on 77.

Patrice Evra could become the second player to take the field in Champions League final with three different teams (Monaco, Manchester United and Juventus), after Clarence Seedorf achieved the same feat. (With Milan, Ajax and Real Madrid

Juventus are very solid, compact and can hit you on the break with Alvaro Morata, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba. Then Claudio Marchisio can play and we know all about what Andrea Pirlo can do.

Courtesy: Sky News