Champions League final 2015: Five reasons Juventus will win

It is fair to say the odds are firmly stacked against Juventus completing a first ever treble by beating Barcelona in today's Champions League final, with the Catalan giants widely expected to become the first side ever to record two trebles of their own, following on from their triumph under Pep Guardiola in 2008-09.

There are reasons to give the Italians a fighting chance, though, and here are five that stand out:

They might be organised enough to stifle Barcelona

Max Allegri’s side have conceded only three goals in their last eight Champions League matches, including clashes with Real Madrid, Atlético and Borussia Dortmund. Barcelona could well be an altogether different monster, but this Juventus side, who shipped only 24 goals on their way to the Serie A title and have conceded only seven in 12 Champions League games so far, arguably stand a better chance than most of restricting Messi and co to less than their usual feast of goals

A committed defence

Juventus did not make it out of their group and past Dortmund, Monaco and Real Madrid without a few scares, and but for some of the most committed defending this season’s Champions League has seen they would not be here.
The Juve players have made some 483 clearances, blocks and interceptions so far, a tally greater than any other side. They will have their work cut out on Saturday and their number in this column will surely rise significantly if they are to have any success.

They have Gianluigi Buffon

The most expensive – and arguably very best – goalkeeper of all time, Gianluigi Buffon has enjoyed a career spanning many eras. He is the only player still in Turin that featured in Juventus’ last European Cup final – back in 2003 – and he is still going strong at the grand old age of 37.

He boasts one of the best save percentages in this season’s Champions League, keeping out 81.6% of the shots he has faced. What is more, Juventus have allowed a lower proportion of shots on target from inside the penalty area (43.6%) than any other team, and Buffon has only been beaten by one attempt from outside the box all campaign. He might have plenty to do but Barcelona will have to be at their very best to find a way past the veteran stopper.

Carlos Tevez carries a great threat

If they are to beat Barcelona, Juventus will need to score themselves, and as they showed in beating Real Madrid, they certainly carry an attacking threat of their own.
Tevez will lead the line – likely alongside former Real Madrid man Alvaro Morata (who could, incidentally, become the fourth player to win consecutive Champions League titles with different teams) – and their pace could provide Gérard Pique with a few problems. Tevez knows Javier Mascherano well, too, and will look to add to his seven European goals for the season.

Luis Enrique’s record

It might have been when he was in charge of a lesser side, but the Barcelona manager faced Juventus three times when he was at Roma, failing to win any of those and seeing his team score just once and concede eight goals in total. He has also lost on both occasions he has faced Allegri, who might just have a hold over the Spaniard.