Written by Karan Dewan, New Delhi, India. Follow Karan on Twitter @karan13dewan.
The date is decided, the time has been fixed. The ball is set to roll and the players are ready. The question is simple. Are you ready to get surprised? Are you set to witness two Lions of different jungles battle it out?
Courtesy: insidesportworld.sportsblog.com
Yes, the Blaugranas collide with La Vecchia Signora (The Old Lady) in the Champions League Final, 2015. Berlin is set to witness an encounter that certainly promises to enthrall millions of football aficionados around the globe. But the clash guarantees a lot more than just being a Champions League final. This clash will be about supernatural dribbles, key face-offs, unbelievable passes, skills, nerves, and emotions that will touch football fans forever.
It’s about the best attacking trio in the world locking horns with the best defending setup in the world. We wait for such nights of passion and thrill. But what might happen when two different ideologies clash is unpredictable. Who will win the tag of the conquerors of Europe?
Yet, what we know is this: the genius Lionel Messi looks hungry more than ever. His goals against Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich, and in the Copa Del Ray final against Athletic Bilbao. have yet again proved his extra-terrestrial abilities.
Juventus is a much better defensive unit. Aerially, likes of Chielleni, Bonucci, and Evra are capable of out-jumping and ensuring that small-sized Barca players don’t get free headers. Their structure has always been based on a strong defensive line. But, if you get through them, there stands a wall by the name–Gianluigi Buffon–who will be resilient in his approach. although in a press conference he played down Juve hopes of winning.
Courtesy: footballstars123.blogspot.com
Barcelona, on the other hand, has had an even better season than Juventus, a season that a club can only dream of. Each individual has chipped in at vital moments in La Liga, the Copa Del Ray, and the Champions League. There was Rakitic’s goal against Manchester City, a signature Messi ball-in, and Iniesta’s majestic dribble ending in Neymar’s goal against PSG, and Luis Suarez nutmegging David Luiz twice to finish with 2 self-made goals. (And let’s not forget his hand in not being a selfish player when he could have taken shots on goal.)
When you get over all these imperative contributions, there is this little genius (Messi) standing with a smile, waiting for his next prey, pointing fingers to the sky, getting past defenders who absolutely hate facing him. All you hear are chants, “Messi! Messi!” reverberating among those who call themselves grateful to be alive to watch a conjuror on the football pitch.
Then they call him “Inhuman.” Well, he is Inhuman! The guy always manages to bring a smile to millions of football fans, leaving them awe-struck. What he didn’t manage in the World Cup Final was to turn that part of the Brazilian coastline to Leo de Janeiro, but hopes again rest on him to light up the German capital. Will we see that happening? Well, no one knows. We’ll see.
Remember, for the troll communities it’s gonna be a new story as Suarez will also meet Chiellini, the man he bit in the World Cup and Patrice Evra with whom he hasn’t had a good past either. Do expect a series of cartoons looking at the lighter side of the clash. Well, both of them might have to focus more on Suarez’s capabilities as a striker and the game-changing potential that he has in a game. A little loss of concentration might just be the start of a goal-scoring party for the MSN trio who have already broken records this season.
Courtesy: www.santabanta.com
But wait, Le Zebre can’t be counted out so easily. Carlos Tevez has scored 20 goals in Serie A; an Morata has scored when Juve needed the most–that, too, against his former club, Real Madrid, in the Semi-finals. Andrea Pirlo, the architecture of the Juventus midfield, is someone Barca should be cautioned about. His long balls and free-kicks can turn the course of a game in a flash. Pirlo will be playing at the same Olympiastadion stadium where Italy won the World Cup Final in 2006. He played a major role in the victory.
The coaches, too, will be having their eyes set on the treble that’s on offer. Luis Enrique for Barcelona and Massimiliano Allegri for Juventus will be looking to end the season on a high. They’ll bring out their best XI for the tie, hoping their are no injuries. There’s no shortage of talent on both the teams. However, it isn’t talent that wins you finals, it’s mindset. I think every football fan will agree that this Barcelona team has peaked just at the right time. I sense Enrique realizes that fact.
Courtesy: www.neymarjr.info
Finally, the football world should be ready for tears of joy and sorrow at the same moment. Only the best on the night will emerge victorious. One will win the Champions league and the other will win hearts for sure. Xavi Hernandez, who has decided on his future to leave Barca at the end of the season, will have the opportunity to lift the Grand Prize for a third time–if his side wins. Tears are promised either way.
In what has been a rather forgetful week for the football world–where corruption charges against FIFA officials are being probed by the FBI and dark clouds loom over the federation–‘the beautiful game’ will relieve fans across the globe and will, again, leave everyone speechless. That is promised!
So, cancel everything that’s in the way between you and the Champions League Final.
Get ready for the final showdown.
90 minutes (maybe more) of pure enthusiasm and excitement is in store.
Don’t even blink! There’ ll be nothing like this.
Courtesy: Nesn.com
