Lionel Messi, alongside Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo, is the greatest Champions League goalscorer in history, so most sides are bound to fear the Barcelona superstar.
But fellow Champions League finalist Juventus have a lot more to dread in the 27-year-old Argentine, when the two teams meet in the Champions League final.
Massimiliano Allegri’s crew will lock horns with the Blaugrana on Saturday, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, and will be tasked with stopping the four-time Ballon d’Or winner on his tracks, a goal they must achieve without the injured Giorgio Chiellini.
Messi is no alien, despite Gianluigi Buffon’s remarks. A mere human as others, the attacker is stoppable, but the odds of the Old Lady achieving that appears slim.
The reason is that Leo boasts one of the best records when facing Italian teams. Having scored 77 goals in European football’s top competition throughout his entire career, Messi’s favorite victim is a Serie A side, no other than AC Milan, with 8 goals against the Rossoneri.
Messi's UCL goals: His favorite victim is an Italian side
In five of his last appearances against teams from Italy, the Barcelona number 10 lodged in an impressive 10 goals. This should ring fresh in Allegri’s memories given he was the boss at San Siro when a magical brace from Messi saw the Catalan giants grab a remarkable 4-2 comeback in the 2012-13 Champions League season.
MAMMA MIA | Messi has scored 7 goals in his last 5 appearances against Serie A sides #UCLFinal
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) June 2, 2015
But all hope is not lost, and the Bianconeri should not simply toss in the towel, though they are not expected to do so. In fact, the club from Turin have a neighbor who should they emulate and follow their example, are guaranteed a shot at minimizing Messi’s threat.
That team is Inter Milan. Led by Mourinho back in 2010, the Nerazzurri triumphed over the Liga BBVA side in style, winning 3-2 on aggregate, as a well-developed ttactic, planned on isolating Messi, helped the Italian giants clinch victory in the semi-final encounter en route to winning the title.
In 2010, a Mourinho-led Inter Milan beat Barca 3-2 on aggregate in the UCL semis
The stats favor Messi, but history proves he is not invincible against Italian sides. Juventus’ fate in the Champions League final rests in Allegri’s hands.
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