Juventus v Barcelona
Saturday 6th June – Kickoff 1945hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League Betting
The European football season comes to an end on Saturday as two giants of the continent clash in the final of the 2015 Champions League. As if the meeting of Juventus and Barcelona in the biggest game of the club season is not big enough, there is even more significance attached to this game as whoever wins in Berlin on Saturday night will compete a historic trouble – following the two winning their respective domestic league and cup troubles. For Juventus it is a return to this stage of the competition for the first time in 12 seasons, and a further seven years since they won it. Barcelona – on the other hand – are contesting their fourth final in nine seasons, winning the previous three. All eyes of the footballing world will be fixed upon the German capital and hoping that the beautiful game makes headlines for all the right reasons having been dragged through the mud in recent days following the corruption and bribery scandal which has rocked the game’s governing body.
Few would have expected Juventus to reach the final of this year’s Champions League at the beginning of the season, particularly as they had parted company with Antonio Conte as manager. His replacement, Max Allegri, was not the most popular of choices having failed to impress in his time at rivals AC Milan. That opinion has proven to be completely unfounded as the 47 year-old has led The Old Lady to only their second domestic treble in their history, and in with a chance of making it an unprecedented treble. His man-management skills have been brought to the fore as well, especially with Carlos Tevez. The temperamental Argentinian has been pivotal to Juve’s success, and his improved for has been one of the main reasons his club have progressed in this tournament compared to recent campaigns. With his future still undecided, the striker will be looking to outshine his fellow countrymen in the opposition team.
Like Juventus, Barcelona are also playing under a manager in his first season at the club. Similar to the doubt raised about Allegri’s appointment, the Barca supporters were not completely sure of Luis Enrique when took over last summer. Although he enjoyed a lot of success at the club as a player, his managerial record did not inspire too much confidence and it looked like it would be a short tenure in the first half of the season. That seems such a long time ago now, however, as the Catalans have looked imperious since the turn of the year. It is always difficult to compare teams and era’s, but the dominance Barcelona have shown in the last four months is as close as anybody as come to matching the magnificent Pep Guardiola led side who sweeper to two Champions League triumphs in three seasons between 2009 and 2011. Capturing that same trophy would deservedly put them alongside that group of players, and possibly be the beginning of usurping them.
Juve showed tremendous quality to get the better of Real Madrid in the semi-final, besting them in Turin before drawing the return leg in Spain. They displayed an abundance of resilience over the course of the tie and will have to do similar again on Saturday as it is a game that Barcelona are likely to dominate, certainly in terms of possession. Their star midfield of Andre Pirlo, Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal will have to maximise the ball they do have and try to take advantage of the occasions when the play is in transition as it is those times when Barcelona can look fragile.
The brilliance of Lionel Messi has been a real highlight of this season. From his goals in the first leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich, to his wonderful solo goal against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey final, the magician is playing at as a high a levels he has ever done and can make more history on Saturday. Should he score he will not only finish top goalscorer in the competition for a record-breaking fifth season, he will also become the first player to have scored in three finals.
Juventus v Barcelona Betting Tips
Until the last few days, I felt this would be a close contest as the best defence in the world comes up against the best attack. Unfortunately for the Italians they will be without their best defender, Giorgio Chiellini. The centre half has lost his battle to be fit and having starred throughout this season, will be a huge loss. Barca’s front three will be looking to exploit his absence. Neymar, Luis Suarez and Messi have combined for 120 goals this season – a quite frankly ridiculous number, especially when you consider Suarez was suspended until October. The understanding they have is remarkable having been together for a little over six months, and it is that trio who I think will ultimately prove to be the difference once again. Had Chiellini been fit then I think Juve could frustrated their opponents but I would still have sided with the Spanish champions. My main selection is for Barcelona -1 on the Asian handicap. A one goal win would see stakes returned and anything greater than that would be a winning bet. If – like me – you feel the margin of victory will be greater than one, it could also be worthwhile to play some correct scores. I think Barcelona are more than capable of scoring at least three goals (a feat they have achieved 31 times already this season) but they are also liable to concede. For small stakes, 3-1 (14/1 @ Betfair) and 4-1 (30/1 @ Betvictor) are appealing to me.
Finally, as mentioned above, Messi is on the cusp of history and it would be a brave man to back against it – something I will not be doing. Only three players have ever scored a hat-trick in the European Cup final, with the last of those occurring in 1969. With the form he is in, 20/1 @ Bet 365 is enough to interest me, whilst 9/2 @ William Hill should also be considered.
More than anything, however, let’s hope we do see something that has us talking about football for all the right reasons.
Barcelona -1(AH) 11/10 @ Paddypower
