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The stage is set for the biggest game of the season as Juventus and Real Madrid go head to head to secure Big Ears.
The National Stadium in Cardiff hosts undoubtedly the best two teams in Europe and Juventus v Real Madrid promises to be an absolute barn stormer of a game.
Juventus head to Wales looking to complete a treble, having won the Scudetto for a sixth successive time.
Real Madrid are looking to complete the double, after securing the La Liga title on the final day of the Spanish season.
Going into the final pitting the best defence in the competition versus the most prolific attack, there is something of an elephant in the room.
Whilst Real Madrid have won the European Cup/Champions League a whopping 11 times, Juventus have lifted the trophy just twice.
This is not through a lack of trying or not due to having phenomenal teams, The Old Lady have contested this final nine times previously.
Compared to their epic title successes in Italy, Juventus have often choked in European Cup finals.
In 1998, Juventus met Real Madrid in the Champions League final with The Old Lady having a stronger side on paper that included current Los Blancos coach Zinedine Zidane.
Pedrag Mijatovic grabbed the only goal of the game to secure Real Madrid another Champions League and this historical factor could come into play in Cardiff.
Whilst Cristiano Ronaldo is the undoubted favourite to reclaim the Ballon d’Or, this match looks set to decide the 2017 player of the year awards.
Gianluigi Buffon could well win a sentimental award after an incredible career, if Juventus can win this one.
Whilst there have also been calls for Dani Alves to win the Ballon d’Or as well, due to his brilliant semi-final displays versus Monaco.
Ultimately, it would be a surprise if Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t take the bull by the horns and win this one all on his own. As he did against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in previous rounds.
Ronaldo has scored five goals, from six shots, against Gianluigi Buffon, in the Champions League.
Team News
Juventus
The big injury news for Juventus is that Sami Khedira has recovered from injury and is expected to start the Champions League final against his old side.
As a result, Massimiliano Allegri will almost certainly start the first choice XI we all expect, with Claudio Marchisio and Juan Cuadrado on the bench.
Key to the Juventus side is Mario Mandzukic in a “defensive” left sided attacking position.
Real Madrid
Los Blancos have both Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal back from injuries that threatened their spots in the Real Madrid starting XI for Cardiff.Carvajal has declared himself “200%” ready to play and the Spaniard is expected to start at right back.
Bale has undoubtedly been usurped in the Real Madrid starting XI by Isco, who has been phenomenal of late.
The Welsh Express himself seemed to recognise that he won’t start on home turf. But, it would be a surprise if he didn’t play some part in the final.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon; Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira, Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic; Gonzalo HiguainReal Madrid: Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Isco; Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
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