This Saturday, two champions will come head to head in a historic Champions League final. Both Juventus and Barcelona, who won both their respective leagues as well as corresponding domestic cups are now seeking to match their domestic glories with club football's biggest continental trophy. And to make things even more interesting, it would be the completion of a much-coveted Treble for Luis Enrique and Massimiliano Allegri, both in their debut seasons with their clubs.
Much has been said, of course, about the Blaugrana's famed "MSN". Comprised of South American superstar trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, the three, given their individual brilliance are by far the most feared attack not just in the La Liga, but naturally, in Europe. In the midfield they have the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, veteran Xavi, and new signing Ivan Rakitic, all of whom have been instrumental in Barcelona's success across all competitions this season.
Many had hoped to see an "El Classico" final because it would have pitted Barca's "MSN" against Real Madrid's "BBC" - made up of Messi's arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema. However, Juventus, arguably this season's dark horses had other plans and are deservedly in their first final in 12 seasons after edging out the 10-time winners 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
So, whilst La Liga fans will not get to see "BBC" vs. "MSN" this time around, there will nonetheless be another intriguing battle between another "BBC" and Barcelona's feared attacking triumvirate. In fact, it will be a match of tactical nous between the continent's most powerful attack and the meanest defense as Juventus have their own "BBC" that is as equally famous in Serie A as are Real Madrid's highly rated defense.
The first member of Juve's "BBC" is none other than veteran defender Andrea Barzagli. Since arriving in Turin in 2011, the 2006 World Cup winner has been a rock at the back for Antonio Conte's three-time Scudetto winning side and has been an integral part of la Vecchia Signora's back three alongside Azzurri teammates Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Unfortunately, the 34-year-old has endured a difficult campaign this season, and due to injury, has made only 16 appearances across all competitions for Allegri's side. Currently struggling with a thigh injury, his condition is of serious concern for Juve fans and his teammates as he is one of three players who was part of Italy's World Cup winning squad in Berlin nine years ago and naturally knows the pressure that comes with playing in a final.
Barzagli, who won a World Cup in the same stadium nine years ago, may not be able to feature against Barcelona this Saturday
And even more worrying for the Bianconeri, Barzagli was a part of the starting XI during Italy's 4-0 EURO 2012 final loss to Spain - a game that featured quite a few Barca players that will definitely be playing in this weekend's game. With his condition listed as "day-to-day", fans will hope that the veteran will be able to reprise his role in what is by far Juve's biggest game of the season and as they aim to make history.
Barzagli's colleagues Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, 28 and 30 years old respectively, were also both part of Italy's squad during the EURO 2012 tournament. Under Allegri, they have featured in every single one of Juve's 12 Champions League games and have played a total of 1080 minutes leading up to Saturday's final. Only goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has racked up the same number of game-time so far in the team's European campaign.
Bonucci and Chiellini also played a role in Juve's winning the Coppa Italia for the first time in 20 years
And, despite not being able to feature with Barzagli as often this season, the Italian duo have teamed up well with other defensive options such as Stephan Lichtsteiner and Allegri will be counting on his Italian defensive pair to try to disrupt Barca's attack in Berlin this Saturday.
Despite the absence of "superstars" like Barcelona, Juve have proven time and time again - notably against Real Madrid - that strength in numbers and a team collective is sometimes enough to come out on top. Just as the Bianconeri have a strong defensive core, their midfield, now in its third season operating together, has been widely touted as the best in Serie A and among the top group in Europe.
Nicknamed "MVP" by Juve fans, the midfield group of Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal, and Paul Pogba, combined, of course, with maestro Andrea Pirlo has been a huge part of la Vecchia Signora's domination in Italy and have been vital in their successful Champions League campaign to date.
Pogba, the youngest of this group at just 22 years old, has quickly grown from frustrated Manchester United youth product to one of the most sought-after young talents in the game. Since arriving in Turin in the summer of 2012 and given a chance to shine under Antonio Conte, the French international has established himself as an all-round quality player in the middle of the park with a strong offensive game to match his defensive contributions.
Pogba won his first league title in his first season in Italy. Can he add a Champions League medal in his third term with Juve?
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It is no surprise that Pogba, who has netted 24 goals in all appearances in his three years at Juve, including 10 in 40 under Allegri, is on the wishlist of several fellow big clubs, including none other than the opponents standing between the Bianconeri and the chance at becoming only the second Italian side to win a Treble.
Meanwhile, as Pogba has been quickly making his name in the football world since arriving in Turin, his teammate Vidal has also been able to hit the ground running since making the switch to Serie A. After gaining some European experience with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, the 28-year-old Chilean star arrived in the summer of 2011 in a deal that reportedly cost €10.5 million and has quickly proved to be a valuable acquisition in his fourth successful season with the Turin giants.
Vidal's goal against Sampdoria secured Juve's fourth straight Scudetto. What role will he play in their Champions League final this weekend?
Like Pogba, Vidal has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Italy, with Manchester United being among the sides that were aggressively pursuing him last summer. However, just as in the case of his colleague, nothing came to fruition and Bianconeri supporters are certainly grateful that the tenacious midfielder remained in the famous black-and-white kit for yet another campaign. He has featured in all but one of Juve's dozen Champions League matches and will be counted on to keep Barca from working their magic on Saturday evening in Berlin.
Finally, the other member of "MVP" - Claudio Marchisio - is in an elite group of players who have spent their entire careers to date at one club. The 29-year-old has been a part of Juve's set-up since his schoolboy days and save for a season-long loan with Empoli, has enjoyed a starting role both for club and country in the past few seasons. Like Pirlo, Bonucci, Buffon, Barzagli, and Chiellini, the midfielder, known for his seemingly endless energy and stamina, was also part of the group that lost to Spain during the EURO 2012 tournament.
Loyal: Marchisio has been with Juventus since being signed by their youth teams as a child and has made over 300 appearances for the Bianconeri senior squad
Under Conte, Marchisio established himself as a key midfielder due to his ability to combine well with Vidal, easily interchanging between defensive and attacking roles to allow his international teammate Pirlo the ability to focus on his playmaking duties. Only Bonucci and Buffon have made more in league play, with Allegri featuring him in a total of 2866 minutes in Serie A and 907 in the Champions League. The versatile midfielder, who was given his senior debut whilst Juve were in Serie B, has been with the team through its dark times and good and will surely be relishing in the chance to play in his first ever Champions League final this weekend.
And last but certainly not least is none other than Andrea Pirlo. Regardless of whatever league one follows, any football fan is certainly aware of the silky skills of the Italian star, who, alongside Buffon and Barzagli will be making a return to the same stadium where he won Italy's fourth World Cup a bit under a decade ago. But, after making a free transfer from AC Milan, where he won two Champions League trophies, Rossoneri fans surely would not have expected him to have the kind of impact he has had since arriving in Turin in 2011, the same year Vidal made his transfer.
Maestro: Fans will be looking forward to seeing Pirlo work his magic in the heart of midfield as Juve attempts to match wits for Barcelona in this season's UCL final
Well, they surely are regretting letting him go now, as he has proven to be arguably up there with one of Juve's best acquisitions over the past few seasons. At age 36, he is now approaching his final years of his outstanding career and has won everything there is to win at team level. Will he, alongside Juve's own MVP and BBC inspire la Vecchia Signora to their - and his own - third Champions League title in four days at the very same stadium where he lifted world football's biggest trophy nine years ago?
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