The wait is over. We are exactly just a few hours away from the gala UEFA Champions League Final 2017 between the two stalwarts of the game: Juventus and Real Madrid. Juventus beat Monaco in 4-1 (aggregate) in an almost one-sided manner at the semi finals to set up a mouth-watering grand finale against the in-form Real Madrid.

UEFA Champions League Final 2017: Juventus vs Real Madrid – Preview

Real Madrid have also shown its temperament at both the Madrid derby semi-finals beating its neighbor Atletico Madrid with 5-1(aggregate). It brings the imminent face-off between Buffon and Ramos. It is after a long 19 years that Blancos will lock horns against Juventus. Last time, Real Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 to claim the title. Can they repeat history one more time?

The plus point for the team Juventus is its defense. In 42 matches, Captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has conceded just 28 goals this season. On the contrary, despite storming into the finale, Real Madrid has conceded 49 goals in 42 matches. Key defenders like Ramos and Carvajal have failed to assist Navas to block a possible goal attempt by the opponents.

Team News for Real Madrid

Carvajal has has now fully recovered from the nasty hamstring injury that he sustained a few days back. He has performed brilliantly throughout the season, and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane must be expecting one more brilliant performance from the 25-year-old at the gala title match.

Captain Ramos and his deputy Varane will control the defense line while Marcelo will operate as a left-winger. Some crunchy actions are expected from Marcelo-Alves fight which will eventually decide which way the game tilts. Isco is likely to be in the playing XI replacing Gareth Bale. Similarly, Varane will get an opportunity to represent Real Madrid in Cardiff as Pepe is suffering from rib injury.

For Christiano Ronaldo, expectations are bound to be plenty. He is the leading goal scorer for Real Madrid and knows how to perform at big games under pressure. This is the record 15^th time that Real Madrid have reached into the finale of this Coveted championship with 11 titles in their kitty.

Team News for Juventus

On paper, Juventus look far stronger than Real Madrid this season. Coach Allegri has built a strong defense unit involving some of the team’s best names likes Buffon, Chiellini, Bonucci, Alves and Sandro. Zidane’s players won’t find it a cakewalk to dent the defense of The Zebras.

The good news for Allegri’s men is how they successfully defended the Serie A title and gave a fantastic performance at semi final clashes against Monaco.  Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira’s return is likely to boost the team’s confidence at the final match.

Juventus will expect a sublime performance from Gonzalo Higuain as he is in a good form scoring five goals at Champion’s League this season. Juventus are already two-time UEFA Champions League title winner, and unarguably having a very balanced side this season. It’s going to be a 90-minute burst of heart-stopping thrill and exhilaration.

Predicted Line-Ups of Both Teams

Juventus XI: Buffon (Captain), Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alves, Pjanic, Khedira, Sandro, Dybala, Mandzukic and Higuain.

Real Madrid XI: Ramos (Captain), Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Marcelo, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Benzema and Ronaldo.

Head to Head: Both teams have 8-8 Records against each others with 2 draws.

Match Result Prediction: Juventus will win 2-1.

Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales (UK). The Match will telecast live on Fox Sports (USA) and Ten Sports Network (India) at 02:45pm EST, June 3^rd and at 00.15 AM (IST) on June 4^th respectively.

Tags: Cardiff, Champions League, Final, Juventus, Millennium Stadium, Real Madrid, UCL, UEFA Champions League