When players from Real Madrid and Juventus take to the pitch in Cardiff on Saturday evening, they will have history in their sights.
Zinedine Zidane, who outmuscled Barcelona to win the La Liga title a few weeks ago, will be looking to complete the Double in just his second season as manager of Los Blancos.
Also, the Frenchman who led Madrid to the Champions League title last year, will be seeking to win it for the second consecutive year. No other club has achieved this feat in the modern era.
For Juventus, a Treble is on the horizon. Massimiliano Allegri’s men have already clinched the Serie A and Coppa Italia titles, but will be keen on lifting the big one. Two years ago, the Old Lady got to the final, but lost out to a Barcelona team that boasted of a rampant Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
However, this year, Juventus have already proved their mettle and have eliminated Barca enroute the final. In the semi-final, Allegri’s men brushed aside surprise of the year Monaco in emphatic style, with a ruthlessly mature performance.
So then, here’s the last hurdle. Not just for Juventus, but for Gianluigi Buffon, who half of the world is rooting for, to finally win this competition. And standing in the way, is the brutal efficiency of Cristiano Ronaldo and the quiet brawn of Zidane.
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