Juventus vs Real Madrid: Five talking points

Sport360 staff 13:45 30/05/2017
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  • Real Madrid and Juventus head to Cardiff for the Champions League final on June 3.

    The Spanish champions have managed to claim Europe’s top prize twice in the last three seasons while Serie A winners Juve are looking to clinch the trophy for the first time in 21 years.

    Here, we identify five talking points ahead of the showdown in Cardiff.

    CAN ZIDANE TOP LA LIGA WIN WITH EUROPEAN SUCCESS?

    When Zinedine Zidane guided Real to glory against Atletico Madrid at San Siro last summer, there were critics who said he only deserved partial credit as he had taken over from Rafael Benitez just months earlier.

    The former Juve midfielder has since silenced most of his detractors by steering Real to a first LaLiga title since 2012 and he will not only enter an exclusive club if he wins a second Champions League crown, he will become the first coach to ever retain the trophy.

    HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE RONALDO?

    Key to Zidane’s success at the Bernabeu has been his careful treatment of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who despite a slight decrease in overall figures has undeniably enjoyed one of his best campaigns with Los Blancos.

    He was weary throughout last year’s final against Atletico, only stepping up at the end of extra-time to fire the decisive penalty, and Zidane will not let him go to Cardiff in a similar state. Juve are the defensive masters but resisting 90-plus minutes of Ronaldo is a tall order.

    LAST-CHANCE SALOON FOR BUFFON?

    Even at 39 Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon still has a few years left in him and he can already boost an almost-complete set of trophies, having won eight Serie A titles, three Italian Cups and in 2006 he was a world champion with Italy.

    The former Parma stopper – he won the UEFA Cup with the Gialloblu – has lost the Champions League final on two occasions, in 2003 and 2015. Juve are good enough to get to the summer spectacle again, before Buffon retires, but he may never have a better chance.

    THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME

    When Cardiff’s National Stadium of Wales was chosen as the host venue for this year’s showpiece, Real winger Gareth Bale had further incentive to reach his third final. However, ahead of what could be the greatest night of the former Tottenham man’s career, he is facing a battle to make Zidane’s team.

    Despite recovering from injury the Welsh was left on the bench for Real’s title-winning triumph at Malaga and he has not scored since February, allowing his regular place to be taken by others.

    ALLEGRI TO THE MAX

    Antonio Conte’s surprise resignation from Juve in July 2014 left a gaping void in the Bianconeri dugout and many supporters were less than impressed when the board turned to former AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri.

    Any suspicions about the Tuscan’s suitability for the job have evaporated, though, and he is targeting a treble after winning his sixth and seventh trophies for Juve in May. Allegri will not discuss his future in Turin until after the final – will the outcome determine his decision?

    Provided by Press Association

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