FT: Juventus 1-3 Barcelona

FT – JUVENTUS 1-3 BARCELONA

GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-2 BARCELONA (NEYMAR)

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Luis Suarez is replaced by Pedro.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Rakitic is replaced by Mathieu.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: There will be five minutes of added time…

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Save! Marchisio fires a shot goalwards and it needs an excellent save from Ter Stegen to keep it out.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Coman is on as Evra limps off.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Suarez is down and clutching his knee after an awkward fall. After a few minutes of treatment he’s back on his feet.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Morata is replaced by Llorente as Juve go in search of an equaliser.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Chance! Barcelona should wrap things up. Rakitic’s cushioned pass picks out Pique, but the defender’s shot is wild.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Pereyra is on for Juve and Vidal is the man being replaced.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Chance! Pogba climbs above Pique but his header drifts over the bar.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: It’s time for Xavi! Iniesta is the player to make way and he hands over the captain’s armband.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Free-kick! Messi strikes it but the ball sails over the bar.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: Chance! Ter Stegen makes a mess of of his punch as the ball bounces off a defender and just over the crossbar.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: It’s Barcelona who now appear to be in the ascendancy. They are looking to kill this match off.

JUVE 1-2 BARCA: NO GOAL! Barcelona think they have a third as Neymar heads home from close range. However, the ball appears to come off the forward’s hand after making contact with his head. It’s a let off for the Juventus.

GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-2 BARCELONA (Suarez) Barcelona have the lead and it’s come against the run of play. Buffon cannot hold Messi’s shot and palms the ball into Suarez, who makes absolutely no mistake.

JUVE 1-1 BARCA: Penalty Appeal! Pogba goes down in the box under the challenge of Alves. the Frenchman calls for a penalty but gets nothing from the referee.

JUVE 1-1 BARCA: Cross! Another cross gets whipped into the Barcelona box but it’s just too high for Tevez. The Italian side are well on top.

JUVE 1-1 BARCA: Save! Pogba unleashes an effort from distance but Ter Stegen makes a comfortable save.

JUVE 1-1 BARCA: Will Xavi be Barcelona’s hero? The Spanish midfielder is warming up ahead of what could be his final appearance for the club.

JUVE 1-1 BARCA: Chance! Juve are playing with real authority now. They work the ball to Tevez on the edge of the box but his shot curls wide of the post.

JUVE 1-1 BARCA: Barca break forward but Messi’s stab forward is out of the reach of Suarez and runs through to Buffon.

JUVE 1-1 BARCA: Chance! Pirlo swings in a free-kick and Morata rises highest but he cannot direct his header on target.

JUVE 1-1 BARCA: Iniesta fires a pass into Suarez, but the striker cannot bring the ball under control. It’s not been the former Liverpool man’s night so far.

GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-1 BARCELONA (Morata) Ter Stegen makes a superb save to deny Tevez but the rebound falls to Morata, who tucks the ball home to level the scores.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: The start of the second half has begun in a similar pattern to the first. Barcelona are enjoying the lion’s share of possession and they look the more likely.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Shot! It’s the first time we’ve really seen the Barca front three combine as Messi exchanges passes with Suarez and Neymar. The ball is back with the Argentine forward as he drives into the box but his shot rises over the bar.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Save! Barcelona immediately go on the attack through Rakitic and they have men over. The midfielder finds Suarez, whose toe poked effort is brilliantly saved by Buffon at his near post.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Corner! Pirlo swings it in but Surez heads clear.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Free-kick! Tevez draws a handball from Pique. Pirlo steps up to take it but his cross is headed behind by Pique.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Barcelona get us back underway in Berlin!

HT – JUVENTUS 0-1 BARCELONA And that’s half time. The perfect start for Barca and they have largely controlled matters, although there has enough here for Juve to think all is not lost in Berlin, if they can keep their heads.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Messi dances his way into the penalty area. he beats one man, then another before getting to the byline. However, the ball just runs out of play before he can get his cross away.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Buffon’s misplaced pass is picked up by Neymar. He dinks the ball into the box for Suarez but the cross is too high.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Messi breaks forward for Barcelona but Pogba’s having none of it. He brings down the Argentine forward and picks up a yellow card. That’s one way of stopping Messi.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Shot! Suarez beats the despairing dive of Buffon but the ball rolls inches wide of the far post. Seconds later, the former Liverpool striker curls an effort on target but Buffon beats the ball away from goal.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: It’s Juve’s turn to harass in the middle of the park and they win the ball back well.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Pogba goes down on the edge of the box and Juventus want a penalty. Firstly, there is contact outside the box but Alba does get a touch on the ball.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Cross! Another Evra cross into the centre of the box but Pique is well placed to make the clearance.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Plenty of Barcelona possession in the last few minutes. Juve cannot seem to keep hold of the ball as the Spanish side continue to press forward.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Free-kick! Bonucci goes in hard on Suarez and Barcelona are awarded a free-kick. the set piece is thrown into the box but Buffon is off his line to claim the ball.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Stat! According to Opta, Ivan Rakitic’s goal was the first Barcelona goal from open play without a Messi, Suarez or Neymar goal/assist since February 28.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Save! Evra’s poor header is picked up by Neymar. He cuts inside on his right foot but his shot is easily saved by Buffon.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Shot! The ball falls to Marchisio on the edge of the Barca box and he hits it first time. However, it’s always rising and creeps over the bar.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Chance! It falls to Morata but his curling effort drifts wide of the far post.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Cross! Tevez creates some space on the left flank but his cross is over hit and runs out for a goal kick.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Vidal is walking on thin ice. He gives away a free-kick for grappling with Alves before pushing the Brazilian full-back’s heads with his hands. Alves stays on his feet and the Chilean goes unpunished.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Cross! Juve win the ball back in midfield and break quickly through Pogba. He attempts an early ball to Tevez but Mascherano makes a vital interception.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Cross! First sign of Pogba as he ghosts past Rakitic. he picks out Morata down the left but his cross cannot find Tevez in the centre. Barcelona clear the danger through Pique.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Vidal needs to be careful here. He steams into a challenge on Neymar and gives away a free-kick. luckily for his side he avoids a second booking.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Save! Suarez picks out Alves on the edge of the box and the full-back side foots an effort towards goal. However, Buffon is on hand to make an excellent one handed stop.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: It’s another free-kick for Barca and this time it’s Evra the culprit as he goes through the back of Messi.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Vidal is throwing his weight around and the referee is not impressed. He goes into the book for a late challenge on Busquets.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Chance! Neymar nearly doubles his side’s advantage but his shot sails inches past the upright.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: Chance! Morata breaks down the right for Juve and beats Mascherano for pace. He cuts inside and picks out Vidal in the penalty area, but the Chilean’s shot fails to hit the target.

JUVE 0-1 BARCA: After the early scares of the opening minutes, Barcelona’s passing has settled after the goal. They are now knocking the ball around with great ease.

GOAL! JUVE 0-1 BARCA (Rakitic) It’s a stunning team move as Messi picks out Alba with a cross field pass. He lays the ball off to Neymar, who plays the ball into the path of Iniesta in the penalty area. He then plays the ball inside to Rakitic, who sweeps the ball past Buffon to give Barcelona the perfect start.

JUVE 0-0 BARCA: Juve press high and Mascherano gives the ball away in a dangerous position. The Italian side cannot capitalise as Tevez’s shot fails to trouble Ter Stegen.

JUVE 0-0 BARCA: Kick-off! Juventus get the 2015 Champions League final underway…

The teams are in the tunnel! We are just moments away from kick-off in Berlin!

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Juventus XI: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra, Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba, Vidal, Tevez, Morata.

Here’s a reminder of the starting line-ups…

Merson predicts: Messi to score first and Barcelona to win 2-1 – 18/1 at
Sky Bet.

Paul Merson’s prediction: “Juventus have got to be on top form to hurt Barcelona but I just don’t see how they can stop them. They are good defensively, the Italians, but you’ve got to be better than good to stop this side from scoring. If Barcelona score first they can’t lose, and I’ve got to go with Lionel Messi to get it – he’s in unbelievable form. Some of the defending in La Liga is shocking so Juve will offer a more difficult test for Messi and Barcelona, but I’m just not convinced they’ll have enough.”

Barcelona are Sky Bet’s overwhelming favourites to clinch Champions League glory when they face 5/1 shots Juventus. The Spanish giants are 8/13 to win in 90 minutes while the draw is priced 3/1. Juve have had the better of previous meetings between the sides, winning four of the eight games and drawing two, and they are 21/10 to score the first goal of the game.

STAT! For the first time in the Champions League, a team has two players with at least nine goals scored in a single Champions League season (Neymar and Lionel Messi for Barcelona).

We are just under 45 minutes away from kick-off in Berlin…

Thierry Henry thinks Barcelona are heavy favourites for victory but warned surprises can happen: “All the signs will tell you that for Barcelona it’s their year again but also the history of the game will remind you to be careful. Surprises can happen.”

STAT! Patrice Evra could become the second player to take the field in Champions League final with three different teams (Monaco, Manchester United and Juventus), after Clarence Seedorf achieved the same feat. (with Milan, Ajax and Real Madrid).

STAT! Barcelona have won only two of their eight European meetings with Juventus (D2 L4).

Barca subs: Subs: Bravo, Bartra, Mathieu, Adriano, Xavi, Rafinha, Pedro.

Juve subs: Storari, Ogbonna, Padoin, Sturaro, Pereyra, Coman, Llorente.

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Juventus XI: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra, Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba, Vidal, Tevez, Morata.

The team news from Berlin is in…

Jamie Redknapp has taken his turn to speak to Andy Burton at pitch-side and like many others, thinks Messi will be the decisive factor: “It’s warm today, you need to keep the ball. The midfields will be crucial. It’s a level game unless you add Messi into the equation. When you throw that little man up front, he just transcends Barcelona to another level. I don’t see it as a spoiling game. Juventus want to entetain. Pirlo will want to play and express himself, so it should be fantastic.”

Thierry Henry is just one of the pundits who will be casting their expert eye over tonight’s proceedings. He’s had his say on what be in store for us: “Juventus are very solid, compact and can hit you on the break with Alvaro Morata, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba. Then Claudio Marchisio can play and we know all about what Andrea Pirlo can do. We know about how good Juventus are at the back, but they can keep the ball too. However, in this final they won’t get much possession because if there is a team that you know is going to touch the ball a lot it’s Barcelona!”

Both teams have scored in six of the past eight meetings between the two sides and
Sky Bet offer 10/11 for that trend to continue at the Olympiastadion.

Graeme Souness, winner of three European Cups with Liverpool, has been pitch-side with Andy Burton and is savouring every moment in Berlin: “It doesn’t get any better. Playing in the European Cup final is as good as it gets. I was fortunate to win three and have special memories of all of them. To play in a stadium like this, with the sun shining, the atmosphere, will be fantastic.

STAT! Barcelona have scored eight goals in the last 15 minutes of Champions League games this season – more than any other side. However, Juve are yet to concede a goal in that period of their games in the Champions League this season.

Barcelona and Juventus supporters have received between 13,000 and 15,000 tickets for tonight’s game. We’ve noticed more Barca shirts around Berlin and the Spanish fans have certainly been more visible. They should be more visible in the stadium too. Each fan in their end will be given a scarf and a placard that will spell out the motto: ‘Mes Que Un Club’.

STAT! The two most common European Cup final scorelines are 1-0 (15 finals) and 2-1 (10).

Back
Charlie Nicholas’ tip as a
40/1 scorecast with
Sky Bet!

Sky Sports pundit
Charlie Nicholas has backed Neymar to score first in a 3-1 win for Barcelona: “I can only see a Barca win, but it should be an end-to-end game and I don’t think they’ll be clear-cut winners until the last 10 minutes or so. I wouldn’t be surprised if an unknown quantity turned out to be a match-winner, someone like Rakitic, or even Pique might pop up with a winning goal at a set-piece. But I’m really looking forward to a tremendous final.”

EARLY TEAM NEWS! There aren’t too many injury concerns for either side. We know Giorgio Chiellini will miss out for Juventus, while Andres Iniesta is the only major worry for Barcelona. He trained last night as he bids to prove his fitness after a calf injury. Will he make it or will he be left on this bench tonight?

STAT! It’s not surprising to see many pundits putting up Lionel messi as the difference between the two sides. A goal for the Argentine forward would see him overtake Cristiano Ronaldo and become the competition’s all-time top scorer. They both currently stand on 77.

Juventus have had the better of the previous meetings between the two sides, winning four of the eight games and drawing two, and they are 21/10 to score the first goal of the game tonight against Barcelona.

STAT! Juventus have lost their last three Champions League finals since winning on penalties against Ajax in 1995/96.

There’s always Gigi Buffon. The famous goalkeeper is aiming to finally win the Champions League final 12 years after losing in a penalty shootout against AC Milan.

Juventus must also do without defender Giorgio Chiellini, a major blow in a game that will surely bring with it plenty of defending.

Sky Bet make Barcelona the 1/3 favourites with Juventus available at 12/5.

Whoever managed it will become the eighth team to do ‘the Treble’.

Both teams will be looking to complete a treble with Barcelona having won La Liga and the Copa del Rey last month.

But Juventus have already done the double in Italy and in the likes of Paul Pogba and Carlos Tevez they have the players to cause problems of their own.

Barca certainly go into this one as the favourites and with a forward line of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar it’s easy to see why.

Will it be a third title for Juventus or can Barcelona join Bayern Munich and Liverpool as five-time winners of the trophy?

Good afternoon and welcome to live and interactive text coverage of the Champions League final between Juventus and Barcelona.