I love and fully respect Juve's defensive unit, they seem to relish defending, unlike so many other defenders in the modern game, but after seeing Barca tonight, I already feel so sorry for them!
No Chiellini and Ogbonna his likely replacement. Miracle required all right. Feel very sorry for Chiellini.
Barca have had depleted opponents in la Liga (the wheels came off RM with Modric, James and Ramos injuries) and in the CL with Bayern with no Robben, Ribery etc. They're brilliant and lucky.
No Chiellini and Ogbonna his likely replacement. Miracle required all right. Feel very sorry for Chiellini.
Barca have had depleted opponents in la Liga (the wheels came off RM with Modric, James and Ramos injuries) and in the CL with Bayern with no Robben, Ribery etc. They're brilliant and lucky.
Barzagli is in the squad, if fit enough he'll start. Unless Allegri goes for three at the back I'd expect it to be Barzagli/Bonucci as the partnership. Big blow losing Chiellini but thankfully they have Barzagli back in time, just a matter of whether he's fully fit or not.
Still think it'll be a close game and nowhere near the slaughtering that some are saying. Fancy 2-1 to either actually. Easily Allegri's biggest test so far at Juventus, surprised me so far but will need to get his tactics spot on in this one.
Juve at 5-1 is very tempting. Fancy a Morata goal at some point too.
Barzagli is in the squad, if fit enough he'll start. Unless Allegri goes for three at the back I'd expect it to be Barzagli/Bonucci as the partnership. Big blow losing Chiellini but thankfully they have Barzagli back in time, just a matter of whether he's fully fit or not.
Still think it'll be a close game and nowhere near the slaughtering that some are saying. Fancy 2-1 to either actually. Easily Allegri's biggest test so far at Juventus, surprised me so far but will need to get his tactics spot on in this one.
Juve at 5-1 is very tempting. Fancy a Morata goal at some point too.
3-1 to barca i think, as a big serie a fan i would not rule juve out even if they are inferior to inter milan;-)
Pirlo has said he 'might'. Of course I'm biased, I really like Juve and have since I had a great time watching them play in the mid 1980s. Yes, I'm that old.
I hope Marchisio plays well, and Buffon. (and the rest)
I don't think its a coincidence that Messi's biggest moments have come in high profile games this year, he's turned it on in the big games when the whole world has his attention, Man City/Bayern/Copa Del Rey etc. He wants that Ballon D'Or back bad.
So expect him to turn it on while he has the full attention of the world again tomorrow, it will go against the grain if he doesn't. I'm sort of half expecting Maradona's goal in 86 or some free kicks being smashed into the top corner from him, and like I say probably a hatrick, like a comic strip out of roy of the rovers. Who will he nutmeg? Which Juve player will he put on his arse?
2/5 for Barca to win the trophy is practically giving money away, if they turn up (particularly Messi). Only complacency will stop them.
Carragher just said Busquets isn't good at defending. I'm still in shock.
I thought that was odd too. He doesn't run around and throw in loads of last ditch crunching tackles but he reads the game well, which is just as important.
Comments
Just seen Barzagli might miss the final through injury. Hopefully Juve's medics can pull out a miracle for 10 days' time.
Chiellini off the menu;
....... torn calf muscle evidently.
Still expecting the inevitable Messi hatrick and 5-0 Barcelona victory though. Think most of us are to be fair.
I’ve got money on the ‘Vecchia Signora’;
....miracles can happen! ;-)
Barca have had depleted opponents in la Liga (the wheels came off RM with Modric, James and Ramos injuries) and in the CL with Bayern with no Robben, Ribery etc. They're brilliant and lucky.
Barzagli is in the squad, if fit enough he'll start. Unless Allegri goes for three at the back I'd expect it to be Barzagli/Bonucci as the partnership. Big blow losing Chiellini but thankfully they have Barzagli back in time, just a matter of whether he's fully fit or not.
Still think it'll be a close game and nowhere near the slaughtering that some are saying. Fancy 2-1 to either actually. Easily Allegri's biggest test so far at Juventus, surprised me so far but will need to get his tactics spot on in this one.
Juve at 5-1 is very tempting. Fancy a Morata goal at some point too.
3-1 to barca i think, as a big serie a fan i would not rule juve out even if they are inferior to inter milan;-)
sounds quite bias? why not refer to juve as Fiat? also xavi has announced retirement, pirlo has not.
I hope Marchisio plays well, and Buffon. (and the rest)
I don't think its a coincidence that Messi's biggest moments have come in high profile games this year, he's turned it on in the big games when the whole world has his attention, Man City/Bayern/Copa Del Rey etc. He wants that Ballon D'Or back bad.
So expect him to turn it on while he has the full attention of the world again tomorrow, it will go against the grain if he doesn't. I'm sort of half expecting Maradona's goal in 86 or some free kicks being smashed into the top corner from him, and like I say probably a hatrick, like a comic strip out of roy of the rovers. Who will he nutmeg? Which Juve player will he put on his arse?
2/5 for Barca to win the trophy is practically giving money away, if they turn up (particularly Messi). Only complacency will stop them.
If not that result, I think Barcelona will win by a score line of 5-1.
I thought that was odd too. He doesn't run around and throw in loads of last ditch crunching tackles but he reads the game well, which is just as important.
A convincing win for Barca although Juve might get one.
3-1 is probably a good prediction.
Score at the end of normal time?