Real Madrid vs Juventus: 5 reasons why Los Blancos will win the Champions League final

Finally, the day has come. Today Real Madrid will take on Juventus in the marquee Champions League final clash and the whole footballing world will be tuning in to watch the anticipated encounter between the Spanish and Italian champions.

While any neutral fan will be hoping that Buffon wins the final tonight, Zidane, Ronaldo and co will be determined to create history of their own and become the first team to defend a Champions League title.

While the match looks pretty even on paper, we take a look at 5 reasons why Los Blancos can (and most probably will) cause further heartbreak for Buffon and Co in Cardiff tonight:

#5 Real Madrid’s pedigree in Champions League finals

11-time European champions and easily the most decorated and pedigreed team in Europe, Los Blancos almost feel like it is their right to win Europe’s Premier competition every year. Real Madrid really seem to bring their ‘A’ game in the big matches and this can be seen by the astounding fact that they have won all 5 Champions League finals they have competed so far.

Add to this the fact that Juventus have lost the final more than any other club (4), we can see that history is very much on the side of the All Whites. Some might call it luck, while others might call it destiny, but say what you may, there is no denying the fact that there is a special romance between Real Madrid and the Champions League trophy.

While Real Madrid have been there and done that, Juventus will arguably feel more pressure to claim this elusive trophy. Madrid know what it takes to cross the finishing line and that in itself will play a huge role in a match of this magnitude.

#4 Superior bench strength

Juventus have one of the biggest and best squads in Europe, but even the Old Lady’s squad depth pales in comparison to Real Madrid’s star-studded bench. With the likes of Bale, James Rodriguez, Morata, Kovacic and Marco Asensio to call on from the bench, Zidane has a plethora of options to impact the game and turn it in his side’s favour.

While the Serie A champions themselves have players like Marchisio and Lemina on the bench, there is no arguing as to who has the better bench strength. With Isco, most likely to start tonight, Bale will be fresh and itching to make an impact in the final.

Add to the fact that it is his hometown, the Welshman will be definitely be determined to have a telling impact if he gets the chance. Real Madrid have a bench which is full of players who would be starters in any other team and this might well make a telling difference in a gruelling and taxing final like this one.

#3 Marcelo and Carvajal negating the effects of Dani Alves and Alex Sandro

Dani Alves and Alex Sandro vs Marcelo and Dani Carvajal.

While many people will be looking forward to the battle between Ronaldo and Dybala, the match will most probably be won by the flying full-backs for their respective sides. While Alves and Sandro have been simply brilliant for Juventus this season, the one full-back pairing which is probably better than that of Juventus is Marcelo and Carvajal.

Blessed with boundless energy, Marcelo’s continuous foray forwards will definitely keep Dani Alves occupied while Carvajal’s defensive solidity will help in cutting out Alex Sandro’s incisive passes and crosses.

Alves, in particular, can cause plenty of havoc while going forward and with Ronaldo and Marcelo to contend with, the Juventus star might just have too much on his hands defensively to focus on the attacking part.

The battle between the two best full-back pairings in world football at the moment will definitely make for compelling viewing tonight.

#2 The presence of Isco and the 4-3-1-2 formation

With Isco in stunning form, it is an all but accepted fact that the Spaniard will start ahead of Bale in the final. The talented playmaker is at his best when playing at the centre and Zidane’s formation of 4-3-1-2 or a narrow 4-4-2 diamond has brought out the best in Isco in the last few months.

Looking much more cohesive in attack since Isco’s inclusion, Real Madrid’s attacking pattern of play has become much more unpredictable and the formation has also got out the best in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Isco and Ronaldo have formed a potent combination and the Spaniard’s ability to pick the right pass has helped in unlocking many a stubborn defence. While the almost impregnable Juve defence stands solidly against most direct attacks, Isco’s tactical nous and passing ability might just be the things required to get past Buffon in the final.

There are some concerns about Madrid’s defensive shape with Isco in the side, but the stats don’t lie and Los Blancos have in fact conceded only 26 times in 24 games, which is four goals less than with Gareth Bale in the starting line up in the same number of games.

Juventus are adept at defending against the 4-3-3 formation and this tactical change by Zidane in the last few weeks might just make the difference in this marquee matchup.

#1 The Zidane and Ronaldo effect

You might love him or you might hate him (Fine who am I kidding, Zidane has no haters), but you definitely cannot argue with Zidane’s numbers after he has taken over at Real Madrid. Winner of the Champions League in his very first season, the legendary Frenchman this season has guided Los Blancos to the League title and is on the verge of becoming the first manager to win back-to-back Champions League titles.

While people consider Zidane to be an excellent man-manager, there have been questions asked about his tactics. However, the former World Cup winner has proven time and again that he is tactically very astute as well.

Whether it be the introduction of Casemiro in midfield last year or the change in the role of Ronaldo this season, the Real Madrid legend has dealt with all tricky issues brilliantly. Always one step ahead of the opposition, Zidane seems to have instilled the never-say-die attitude to his squad and it can be seen from the number of goals scored after the 80th minute since he took over.

It will not be much of a surprise if we see Zidane tactically outwit the opposition once again on the biggest stage in club football.

One player who definitely has some haters is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid forward might not be universally liked, but there is no denying the fact that he is one of the greatest footballers of all time. Capable of winning the game singlehandedly, the Portuguese superstar has hit his best form at the business end of the season.

Add this to the fact that CR7 has scored against Buffon in every appearance against the legendary goalkeeper so far, the stage is set for Ronaldo to claim an emphatic double and cement a record-equalling fifth Ballon d’Or trophy.

Quite simply put, the combination of Ronaldo and Zidane do not lose important matches and with the Madrid star at the peak of his game, he is primed to grab all the headlines once again tonight.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 (AET)

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