Glory awaits FC Barcelona

The wait is over. Everything is set up and ready to go in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin for tonight’s clash between Juventus and FC Barcelona to decide the outcome of the most coveted and eagerly anticipated game on European footballing calendar: the grand final of the UEFA Champions League.

Having already won Liga BBVA and the Copa del Rey, los blaugranas have travelled to the German capital with their chances of celebrating the club’s second ever treble still very much intact, an incredible achievement that would see them cap off what has already been an extraordinary season. The Catalans, who last lifted the title in 2011, will be looking to clinch their fifth European crown by making use of their strongest weapon: their attacking trio. Between them, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar have scored 25 of Barcelona’s 28 goals in the Champions League this season.

Standing in their way are an Italian side also looking to secure their own hat-trick of titles, having already won Serie A and the Italian Cup. The Turin team, which have lifted the title on two occasions, are taking part in their first final in the competition in 12 years.

Team news

Barcelona have a full squad of players available, including Xavi Hernández who will be togging out for los azulgranas for the very last time. Having made 150 appearances in the top European club competition, the Catalan midfielder has a great chance to bow out in style.
Meanwhile, the Italians will have to deal with the absence of one of their stalwarts in defence, the centre back Giorgio Chiellini, who will miss this game after sustaining an injury in the soleus muscle in his left leg.

Views from the dugouts

"We are where we wanted to be as a team. We already have two titles in the bag and are on the cusp of making history for the club. There is a sense of euphoria among our supporters and we completely understand how they feel. Our focus as a team is on approaching this match as seriously as possible", stated Luis Enrique Martínez, the Barcelona manager.
Elsewhere, the Juventus boss, Massimiliano Allegri, emphasised the importance of this game and spoke about his players’ mission: "This is the biggest match of any of our careers up until now. We have to have the attitude that things won’t finish 0-0, so we’ll need to try and get a goal. Each player has to give it all he’s got".