Who Will Win The UEFA Champions League?

Real Madrid and Juventus face off in the Champions League final on Saturday.

Cardiff will be a 19th meeting for the two clubs — all in the European Cup — and there is nothing to separate the two teams as they have eight wins, three draws, apiece. Ed Alvarez (Real Madrid) and Mina Rzouki (Juventus) preview the showdown.

Tell us why your team deserve to be champions of Europe…

Eduardo Alvarez: They don’t just yet. The tournament has been very consistent so far, and their consecutive eliminations of a fantastic offensive side (Bayern Munich) and a terrific defensive one (Atletico Madrid) prove that Zinedine Zidane’s squad can successfully face different types of tactical challenges.

Their bench, as deep as they come, has helped them more than any other club in the tournament. And Cristiano Ronaldo has emphatically made his mark in the knockout stages when it mattered. But they now face the smartest team in Europe, and they will only fully deserve the title if they manage to defeat Juventus.

Mina Rzouki: A perfect project, brilliant management structure and a well-balanced side coached by a world-renowned tactician, Juventus absolutely deserve to be the champions of Europe. Undefeated, Juve muzzled Barcelona’s impressive attacking line-up, frustrated Europe’s most prolific side in Monaco, and exploited every defensive weakness to ensure complete control during each game they’ve played.

Captained by beloved goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who has won everything but the Champions League in a stellar career, Juventus deserve to be honoured and celebrated by winning the trophy that has eluded them for 21 years to secure the treble.

Who has impressed more in the competition so far?

EA: Hard to choose. In previous seasons, one of the teams that reached the final always enjoyed an easier run in than the other. However, both Juventus and Real Madrid have crossed their paths with the best teams in Europe this season, and have disposed of them all, in most cases with impressive ease.

MR: Real Madrid are an awesome force but sorry Eduardo, this is not a difficult choice. Juventus have been the more consistent side in Europe this season. They didn’t come second in their qualifying group to Germany’s third ranked side nor did they overcome a tough opponent in the quarterfinal with the help of a few offside goals. Real Madrid must be admired for their unity and ability to play with intensity in the big matches but Juventus have proved their strength at every turn and against every opponent.

Tactically versatile, offensively fluid and defensively perfect, Juventus have only conceded three goals in Europe this season and never once wobbled. They never offered the opponent even a sliver of hope or provoked nervousness. Compact and united, Juventus are the most complete side in Europe.

Juve’s defence vs Madrid’s attack: who has the edge?

EA: Juve’s defence. Again, they managed to stop Barcelona’s front three for two full matches, and Real Madrid will probably miss Gareth Bale. That said, Zidane’s team will prevail only if they make this match about the midfield battle, and not a simple attack vs. defence filled with high crosses while Juventus sit deep. If Real Madrid get Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Isco involved, life will be easier for their strikers and a lot more complicated for Juventus’ defensive line.

MR: I agree, Juve’s defence is mesmeric. With the full-backs pressuring and wide forward Mario Mandzukic recovering possession better than any defender, Juventus defend as a unit, intelligently and in numbers. Like Eduardo said, Barcelona were effectively muzzled for 180 minutes while even Europe’s most prolific side, Monaco, could only manage a consolation goal when Juve dropped their guard. The only way to hurt Juve is through pace and speedy exchanges and they have looked vulnerable at set pieces on occasion. Isco will be one to watch while those crosses must never reach Sergio Ramos’ head. What is the main thing standing between your team and the trophy?

EA: To use one of Zidane’s favourite words: intensity. To be exact, 90 minutes of intensity. The only moments during which Real Madrid have looked vulnerable this season all have one thing in common: loss of focus and concentration, especially at the beginning of matches. The second leg of the semifinals against Atletico is a great example, as 15 aloof minutes almost cost them the tie. Even though they can often dig themselves out of huge holes, they won’t be able to pull that off against Juventus.

MR: Juventus love nothing more than to lose a final, unlike their opponents. They were odds on favourite to beat Real Madrid in 1998 to claim their third Champions League trophy and lost, like they did to Borussia Dortmund the year before and to Milan in 2003. Mental fragility stopped the side from playing to its potential against Barcelona in 2015 resulting in yet another lost final and there’s every chance they will choke once again despite boasting a project and a team that will be admired for years to come.

Key battle

EA: Toni Kroos vs. Miralem Pjanic

The clash over possession and control of the game should decide this match. The influence of Kroos in Real Madrid’s attack has grown as the season progressed, and his passing is now key for his side’s counterattacks, switching flanks, set pieces, patiently built attacking moves. If the German gets to participate often, Real Madrid’s offensive stream should end up hurting Juventus. But if the Bosnian maestro manages the match, it will become an uphill battle for Zidane’s team.

MR: Marcelo vs. Dani Alves

It’s OK Eduardo, you can take Miralem Pjanic out of the game, there’s Leo Bonucci behind him and Paulo Dybala ahead of him who can produce the passes and launch the attacks. As for Kroos, Sami Khedira can neutralise his compatriot. The real battle is between the Brazilian full-backs, Marcelo and Dani Alves, arguably the best full-backs in the world and players who have enjoyed a remarkable season.

Both are better going forward then defending and it appears Juventus will deploy Alves further up field, allowing him to indulge in his favourite pastime: attacking football. Both will be tasked with neutralising the opponent, both can deliver the passes and crosses that launch the attack, and both can succumb to a moment of distraction. Whomever succeeds will hand control to their team.

Prediction

EA: Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus. Real Madrid defeat the most complete side in Europe and conquer their 12th Champions League title.

MR: Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus. Juventus lost six finals and are set to face a side which never feels more at home than on the biggest European stage. It will be cagey and it will be tight but Real Madrid might have enough.

Source> ESPN