Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says it is all very well
having the lethal attacking talents of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez but
it will count for little if his midfielders lose the battle with their Juventus
countertparts in Saturday’s Champions League final against Juventus.
Barca’s star-studded attack of Messi, Neymar and
Suarez have amassed 120 goals between them this season and will be eager to
crown their wonderful season by adding to their record tally at Berlin’s
magnificent Olympic Stadium with a capacity crowd of 74,475 expected.
Messi can become the first player to score in three
Champions League finals after Barcelona’s 2009 — when they swept the league,
Cup and ChampionsLeague treble — and 2011 triumphs and can equal former Dutch
star Clarence Seedorf’s record of four victories in European Cup finals.
Scorching daytime temperatures of over 30 degrees
Celsius are expected in Germany’s capital which could affect the pace of the
clash between Europe’s top two teams.
Barcelona start as favourites, but many neutrals here
hope Juventus will pull off a shock win to claim the first treble in their
history.
Both sides have already captured their domestic league
and cup titles and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon — who experienced the
thrill of winning the 2006 World Cup final in the same stadium — insists the
Italian champions are not here just to make up the numbers.
Enrique cautioned his star attack will only thrive if
the likes of veteran Spanish midfield duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez —
both looking for their fourthChampions League title and the latter in his last
game for the club before moving to Qatar — and Croatian Ivan Rakitic win the
midfield battle against Juve’s silky-skilled playmaker Andrea Pirlo — like
Buffon a World Cup winner in 2006 — France’s Paul Pogba and Chile’s Arturo
Vidal.
“We are aware that our forwards capture all the
attention. Firstly, because we have the best player in the world in Leo
(Messi), but to be here we need to have a full team,” said Enrique who, after a
rocky patch mid-campaign with rumours about his poor relations with Messi, can
round off his first season with the treble.
“It is not fair just to talk about Messi, he is the
best but the games are played as a team.
“I hope to see the best of my team. We have prepared
as a team and we hope to see all the players at their best.
“Everyone is needed. The team has functioned
marvellously, that is why we are playing for the treble, but we’ll need to be
strong in midfield.
“The world of football expects a great final between
two teams that will go out to win. It would be nice to see an open and fun
game.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says it is up to the
present team to prove they deserve to be considered one of the greatest sides
in the world.
“We have Leo, Luis, Neymar and Andres, we have one of
the best teams in the history of the club,” said the 28-year-old Pique, who
like Messi, is seeking to win his third Champions League trophy.
“Now we have to prove we are one of the best teams in
the world and we’re ready to do that.”
Barca or Juve, who will wins today Champion League
final? Do make your prediction!
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