Zidane: I Have Lived and Been at Juventus..
Zidane: I Have Lived and Been at Juventus..
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CARDIFF - Real Madrid have an "appointment with history" when facing Juventus in Champions League final in Cardiff on Saturday (3/6).
Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos says, eleven-time champions Real are aiming to become the first team since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to retain the trophy. Italian side Juventus are looking to win the crown for the third time, while Real can extend their own record.
"We never dreamed of this opportunity but the stats are there. It is a wonderful chance to take the cup home, then history speaks for itself. We are extremely excited about the chance to have two successive Champions League trophies," said this Spain international defender.
"We have been very solid. Every time we have had the chance to fight for a trophy, we have done that. We are going to be extremely focused, very concentrated so we make as few mistakes as possible," he said.
Real Madrid won La Liga ahead of Barcelona this season and have scored 169 goals in all competitions this season. In a repeat of the 1998 final, which the Spaniards won 1-0 in Amsterdam, Real come up against a side who are unbeaten in this season's competition
Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, who played for opponents Juventus between 1996 and 2001, said: "We know all about pressure at Real Madrid,".
"We are not favourites, nor are Juventus. It is 50-50. But we are in the final again, and everything is possible. I expect an open game on both sides. I have lived and been at Juventus, in Italy there is the famous Catenaccio, but Juve do not just have that," he said.
"We are going to try to play our game, we know we are going to play against a great team. What everyone who likes football wants to see is to see a great final - and I think we will see that," Zidane told.
Meanwhile, Zidane also must decide whether to choose between Gareth Bale and Isco in what seems like his only selection issue before final match. Bale has not played since 23 April but is fit, while in-form Isco has scored five goals in his last eight games.
"I am not going to tell you who is going to play on Saturday," said Zidane.
Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri also has a fully-fit squad to choose from. His side defeated Monaco 4-1 on aggregate to reach their second final in three seasons. Real knocked out city rivals Atletico with a 4-2 aggregate win and are looking to defend the title they won last year.
Allegri has won three Serie A titles and three Coppa Italias since joining Juventus in 2014 Treble-chasing Juventus clinched a record sixth consecutive Serie A title this season and beat Lazio in the Italian Cup.
Juve have been European Cup winners twice, in 1985 and the last in 1996, but have been defeated finalists on six occasions, most recently against Barcelona two years ago.
They have conceded just three goals in 12 games so far, while Real have scored in every single one of their 12 games - a total of 32 goals.
"We have worked hard all year and the wins this season have been all about reaching this game. But on Saturday we need to win and we need to understand when will be the moments to attack and when to defend. We have to have the belief that we can bring the cup home and we have to be fiendish to strike when Real offer us an opening," Allegri said.
Allegri also has a fully-fit squad to choose. Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro, Mario Mandzukic and Leonardo Bonucci were all rested when Juve ended the Serie A season against Bologna last Saturday, while Dani Alves was suspended. Former Real man, Sami Khedira played in the match - making his return from injury and now expected to feature in Cardiff.
The Italian side will be skippered in Cardiff on Saturday by 39-year-old Gianluigi Buffon, who has never won the Champions League.
"It would mean a lot for me," said the veteran, who has won 168 caps for Italy.
"It would be the greatest joy of my career, together with the World Cup, because it would almost be a reward - the end of a very difficult road paved by bravery, stubbornness and hard work," he added.
Juventus defeated Monaco 4-1 on aggregate to reach their second final in three seasons. And Real Madrid knocked out city rivals Atletico with a 4-2 aggregate win and are looking to defend the title they won last year.
Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos says, eleven-time champions Real are aiming to become the first team since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to retain the trophy. Italian side Juventus are looking to win the crown for the third time, while Real can extend their own record.
"We never dreamed of this opportunity but the stats are there. It is a wonderful chance to take the cup home, then history speaks for itself. We are extremely excited about the chance to have two successive Champions League trophies," said this Spain international defender.
"We have been very solid. Every time we have had the chance to fight for a trophy, we have done that. We are going to be extremely focused, very concentrated so we make as few mistakes as possible," he said.
Real Madrid won La Liga ahead of Barcelona this season and have scored 169 goals in all competitions this season. In a repeat of the 1998 final, which the Spaniards won 1-0 in Amsterdam, Real come up against a side who are unbeaten in this season's competition
Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, who played for opponents Juventus between 1996 and 2001, said: "We know all about pressure at Real Madrid,".
"We are not favourites, nor are Juventus. It is 50-50. But we are in the final again, and everything is possible. I expect an open game on both sides. I have lived and been at Juventus, in Italy there is the famous Catenaccio, but Juve do not just have that," he said.
"We are going to try to play our game, we know we are going to play against a great team. What everyone who likes football wants to see is to see a great final - and I think we will see that," Zidane told.
Meanwhile, Zidane also must decide whether to choose between Gareth Bale and Isco in what seems like his only selection issue before final match. Bale has not played since 23 April but is fit, while in-form Isco has scored five goals in his last eight games.
"I am not going to tell you who is going to play on Saturday," said Zidane.
Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri also has a fully-fit squad to choose from. His side defeated Monaco 4-1 on aggregate to reach their second final in three seasons. Real knocked out city rivals Atletico with a 4-2 aggregate win and are looking to defend the title they won last year.
Allegri has won three Serie A titles and three Coppa Italias since joining Juventus in 2014 Treble-chasing Juventus clinched a record sixth consecutive Serie A title this season and beat Lazio in the Italian Cup.
Juve have been European Cup winners twice, in 1985 and the last in 1996, but have been defeated finalists on six occasions, most recently against Barcelona two years ago.
They have conceded just three goals in 12 games so far, while Real have scored in every single one of their 12 games - a total of 32 goals.
"We have worked hard all year and the wins this season have been all about reaching this game. But on Saturday we need to win and we need to understand when will be the moments to attack and when to defend. We have to have the belief that we can bring the cup home and we have to be fiendish to strike when Real offer us an opening," Allegri said.
Allegri also has a fully-fit squad to choose. Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro, Mario Mandzukic and Leonardo Bonucci were all rested when Juve ended the Serie A season against Bologna last Saturday, while Dani Alves was suspended. Former Real man, Sami Khedira played in the match - making his return from injury and now expected to feature in Cardiff.
The Italian side will be skippered in Cardiff on Saturday by 39-year-old Gianluigi Buffon, who has never won the Champions League.
"It would mean a lot for me," said the veteran, who has won 168 caps for Italy.
"It would be the greatest joy of my career, together with the World Cup, because it would almost be a reward - the end of a very difficult road paved by bravery, stubbornness and hard work," he added.
Juventus defeated Monaco 4-1 on aggregate to reach their second final in three seasons. And Real Madrid knocked out city rivals Atletico with a 4-2 aggregate win and are looking to defend the title they won last year.
(rnz)
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