Champions League Final Predictions

Hello. For the first time since I created this blog almost 2 years ago, I will be writing about soccer. I have become a big fan of the game over the past 3 months, and today is the final of the most import tournament between club teams in the world: The Champions League. For those who don't know, this league is a tournament between the best teams in Europe, and whoever wins this game can make the claim to being the best team in the world. The 2 teams that are playing in the final today are Jeuventus(Italy) and Barcelona(Spain). I will first write about the roads that these teams had to take in order to get to the final, then I will break down the projected lineups and predict what I think will happen.

Jeuventus
''The Old Lady'' of Italian football were not expected by many to be here, as they have not been in the final since 2003 and were thought of by many to be an again team. But they have surprised everyone and made it to this point. Jeuventus got off to a rocky start in the Champions League group stage. After defeating the Swedish club Malmo 2-0, they proceeded to lose their next 2 games to Athletico Madrid(Spain) and Olympiacos(Greece), casting doubt as to weather or not they would even make it to the Round of 16. However, Jeuvantas pulled through and won the second legs of games against Malmo and Olympacos before tying Atheltico Madrid to advance to the knockout stage.

They were able to cruise through the round of 16, beating the German club Borussia Dourtmand by a combined score of 5-1 in the 2 games that they played. Jeuvantus would go on to defeat Monaco(France) in the first leg, and when they tied in the 2nd leg, it meant that Jeuventus would move forward due to them having  greater total score in the two meetings. This would set up a semi-final showdown with defending champs Real Madrid. Not many people gave Jeuventus much hope, but they were proved wrong when Jeuventus pulled off a stunning 2-1 win in the first leg. The second leg ended in a 1-1 tie, which meant that Jeuventus had won the combined 2 games and were through to the final, where they will meet mighty Barcelona.

Barcelona
Unlike their opponents, Barcelona was expected to be here. They have been one of the best teams in the world for a long time, and any team that has Lionel Messi on it has a chance to do anything, Barcelona went 5-1 in the group stage, avenging their lone defeat at the hands of Paris Saint Germain by winning the second leg by a score of 3-1 to advance on total goal differential. Barca would roll through Manchester City(3-1 combined) PSG(5-1) and Bayren Munich(5-3) to get to the finals.

Now that we have talked about both teams and their paths to the finals, I will break down how the teams match up with one another.

Defense
Both teams are solid defensively, but Bracalona has a massive edge here due to Jeuventus Centre-Back and leader Giorgio Chiellini will be out of action due to a calf injury. Patrice Evra leads a talent group for Jeuventus at Left_Back, but Daniel Alvis, Jordi Alba, Gerald Pique and Javier Macherano lead an excellent group of defenders that are above those of Jeuventus.

Edge: Barcalona

Midfield
This is very close. However, I will give the slight edge to Jeuventus simply because they start 4 midfielders instead of Barcelona's 3. Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio are a very talented group for the Itilian champions, and although Andres Inestia from Barca might be the best midfielder in the world, I still give the edge to Jeuventus.

Edge: Jeuventas

Forward 
Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata are a very good forward pair for Jeuventas, but Messi, Neymar and Luis Suraz are the best front line in the world. Period.

Edge: Barcelona

Prediction
Barcalona is way too talented to lose this game. They are the best team in the world and I don't see ''the old lady'' knocking them off.

Winner: Barcelona, 3-1