8/8/2019 Champions League Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/champions-league-final 1/6

Champions League final: Neymar hailsBarcelona strikers' bond 

By Phil McNultyChief football writer in Berlin 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

  Venue: Olympic Stadium, Berlin 

  Date: Saturday, 6 June

  Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Live commentary BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website

Barcelona's Brazilian striker Neymar believes his friendship with fellowSouth American superstars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez is the keybehind the season of success that has led them to the ChampionsLeague final.The attacking trio - labelled "The Trident" in Spain - have scored 120 goals this term asBarcelona now set their sights on beating Juventus in Berlin on Saturday to add Europe'selite trophy to La Liga and the Copa del Rey. He said: "Leo and Luis are just extraordinary players, extremely high-quality players. I thinkthe main factor is our friendship on the field and also outside. We are all very good friendsand that helps a lot."

 After an early period of adjustment, Argentina's Messi and Uruguayan Suarez have left atrail of devastation among opponents both in La Liga and the Champions League.

Neymar claimed the clash in Berlin's Olympic Stadium was the biggest of his career, with the23-year-old saying: "Ever since I was six or seven I have been dreaming about this

possibility and now the time has come."

8/8/2019 Champions League Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/champions-league-final 2/6

He suffered injury agony when he carried the hopes of Brazil in last summer's World Cup ashe was ruled out with a back injury before they suffered their humiliating 7-1 loss to Germanyin the semi-final."I have played many finals but I think this is the most important one of my career to date,"said Neymar. "It is the most important match of my life. It has been my dream since I was achild and I really hope to enjoy this game."

What threat do Juventus pose?

The common perception is that Saturday's final will showcase the aforementioned Barcelonaattack against Juventus's typically efficient Italian defence.Play media 

Jump media player  

Media player help 

Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. 

How do you stop Barcelona's attack?

Juventus do indeed have a stubborn backline, with the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, PatriceEvra and Stephan Lichtsteiner operating effectively in front of experienced goalkeeperGianluigi Buffon and behind playmaker supreme Andrea Pirlo.But this overlooks the ability Massimiliano Allegri's side have going forward.Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal are two of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe, formerManchester-based striker Carlos Tevez is one goal shy of 30 for the season and Barcelonawill be aware of the threat posed by his likely partner, former Real Madrid forward AlvaroMorata.It is plenty to justify Buffon's assertion that his side are not heading to Berlin to "be thevictims" and back up defender Leonardo Bonucci's claim that the game "can't just besummed up by saying it's a strong Barcelona attack against the Juventus defence".

Has the bite been taken out of the contest?

Luis Suarez (right) was banned for four months for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup

Saturday's final has been stripped of arguably its most fascinating sub-plot, with an injury toGiorgio Chiellini meaning he will not be tasked with facing Uruguayan Suarez, the manwho bit the Italian defender at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Putting aside such soap opera intrigue, Chiellini's loss is a blow for Juve as he has been akey figure in a side that has conceded just 35 goals in 55 games this season.

8/8/2019 Champions League Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/champions-league-final 3/6

 Andrea Barzagli is likely to deputise for Chiellini in Berlin, but with Luis Suarez having scored24 goals since returning from the four-month ban given to him for that bite in Natal, Juvecould have done with any possible factor to distract him from his game.

So what is at stake?

The winner of Sunday's final will complete a domestic and European treble this season, withboth clubs having already claimed their respective league titles and main national cupcompetition.Two points separated first and second in La Liga this campaign, with Barca taking the crownfrom fierce rivals Real Madrid courtesy of a 1-0 win over 2013-14 champions Atletico Madridin the penultimate game of the season.They followed this up with a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp in the Copa DelRey final to leave the Catalan club, in the words of defender Gerard Pique: "90 minutesaway from perfection".

Barca claimed their 23rd la Liga title this season

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, who survived early criticism after taking over at the start ofthe season, said: "The team is where we wanted to be, with two titles won and the chance towrite history by winning the Champions League."Juventus led Serie A from the fourth round of fixtures onwards and sealed their  fourthstraight league title and 31st Scudetto with four games to play before beating Lazio 2-1after extra time to win the Coppa Italia. The Old Lady now have a chance to complete a treble and cap their revival as a Europeanforce in the year that marks the 30th anniversary of one of the club's darkest moments - the

Heysel Stadium tragedy, in which 39 fans lost their lives. 

Won't someone please think of the children...

It will be a joyous occasion for Juventus duo Bonucci and Buffon should their team prevail inBerlin on Saturday, but they will face some tough questions on their return to Italy.Defender Bonucci has revealed he had to give up a day at the beach with his son due to thematch.Play media 

Jump media player  

Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. 

8/8/2019 Champions League Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/champions-league-final 4/6

Champions League final: Carlos Tevez v Luis Suarez, great goals

"When I left home this morning, my son Lorenzo said to me, 'Dad, where are you going?' Itold him I was going to Berlin because I had to go to work. He was disappointed and wantedto go to the beach," explained the Italy international. "I told him, we can go with mummy afterI come back, so I hope I can keep him happy."Meanwhile, Buffon has been placed in a no-win situation because his Juve-supporting sonsare also big fans of Barcelona's star players."I have one son who is a Messi fan and the other one is a fan of Neymar, so I don't thinkthey know what to wish for," said the 37-year-old."In the end, they said they will be very unhappy if Juventus lose, because they are Juvefans. But they would have preferred us to face another team in the final, like Manchester Cityor Real Madrid."

 Also related to this story

  Juventus spurred by Heysel memories 05 Jun 2015 EUROPEAN FOOTBALL 

  Ex-All Black Collins killed in crash 05 Jun 2015 RUGBY UNION 

  Hamilton dominates first practice 05 Jun 2015 FORMULA 1 

   Asher-Smith: Britain's fastest woman 05 Jun 2015  ATHLETICS   Football commentaries 06 Feb 2015 FOOTBALL 

  Listen to audioIn Short: Best of 5 live Sport 03 Nov 2014 SPORT 

  How to get into Football 02 Dec 2014 GET INSPIRED 

Top Picks

  Juventus spurred by Heysel memories05 Jun 2015EUROPEAN

FOOTBALL   Ex-All Black Collins killed in crash05 Jun 2015 RUGBY UNION 

  Hamilton dominates first practice05 Jun 2015 FORMULA 1 

Featured in this story

  Football on the BBC 

  World Football Podcast 

  External siteBBC Sport Facebook 

  External siteBBC Sport Twitter  

  External siteUefa 

  External siteUefa Champions League 

  External siteLa Liga 

  External siteSerie A 

This story around the web  Barcelona vs Juventus live stream free: Watch Champions League 2015 Final online

(Preview)Christian Today 8 hrs agoExternal Link 

  Neymar hails Barca strikers' bondPerspicacious.co.uk 12 hrs agoExternal Link 

  Juventus to dedicate Champions League to victims of Heysel disaster if they beat BarcelonaDaily

Express 15 hrs agoExternal Link 

  Pique: We have an amazing team AOL UK 16 hrs agoExternal Link 

8/8/2019 Champions League Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/champions-league-final 5/6

  Neymar: UCL final a dream come trueESPN.co.uk 16 hrs agoExternal Link 

 About these results 

European Football

European Football 

Live coverage, news, scores, fixtures, results and tables from La Liga and Europe's topleagues.

Today's football gossip 

Football news, debate and analysis 

Live on the BBC

 

Watch videoFootball Focus 

Women's World Cup Special, Sat 6 Jun, 12:10 BST, BBC One

 

Listen to audioChampions League Final Juventus v Barcelona, Sat 6 Jun, 19:45 BST, BBC Radio 5 Live

 

Watch videoWomen’s World Cup: Canada v China  

Sat 6 Jun, 22:30 BST, BBC Three

 

Watch videoWomen’s World Cup: New Zealand v Netherlands 

8/8/2019 Champions League Final

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/champions-league-final 6/6

Sun 7 Jun, 01:50 BST, BBC Red Button

 

Listen to audioRepublic of Ireland v England Sun 7 Jun, 13:00 BST, BBC Radio 5 Live

 

Women’s World Cup: Norway v Thailand 

Sun 7 Jun, 17:50 BST, BBC Red Button

 

Women’s World Cup: Germany v Ivory Coast  

Sun 7 Jun, 20:30 BST, BBC Three

Watch videoSport on BBC iPlayer  

Catch up with Formula 1 on the BBC

  Listen to audioSport on BBC iPlayer Radio