The Champions League final Saturday between Real Madrid and Juventus (1:45 p.m., Ch. 9) is the reason European competition exists — to match the best against the best. It's the reigning European and newly crowned Spanish champion against the team that has won six consecutive Italian titles.
Madrid is, as always, an all-star team, with some of the biggest names in soccer at every position on the field. Juventus can't match it for star power, but may have the more cohesive squad.
You can expect Real Madrid to have the ball for much of the game. The Spanish side is packed with offensive talent, beginning with striker Cristiano Ronaldo. In previous years, Ronaldo has played mostly on the left wing, but this season, coach Zinedine Zidane has moved him to a more central role. Alongside center forward Karim Benzema, and with either Isco or possibly a returning Gareth Bale playing out wide, Ronaldo will be constantly attacking the Juventus back line.
It should be a fascinating battle because the Italian champions have perhaps the game's best defense. In 12 Champions League games this year, Juventus has given up only three goals. The "Old Lady," as Juventus is nicknamed, has trailed for barely a half hour in all of its Champions League matchups.
At age 39, Gianluigi Buffon is into his third decade of being among the best goalkeepers on the planet. Center backs Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will provide the toughest test yet for Real Madrid's attacking superstars.
The true battle might be the one in the center of midfield, though, where both teams are accustomed to winning — and keeping — the ball.
Given the teams' styles, Juventus is unlikely to follow the same plan in this game, and likely will play more of a counterattacking game. That means the onus will be on their midfielders to identify breakout opportunities without giving up meaningful space to the Real Madrid attack.
Similarly, though, the Madrid midfielders could be lulled to sleep by constant possession, and will have to work hard to get back into position when they lose the ball. If the don't, the Juventus front line, with free-scoring Gonzalo Higuaín and tireless Mario Mandzukic, could punish them on quick-fire opportunities.
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