To the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff now for another sensational final as Juventus faced the tough task against defending champions Real Madrid. Los Blancos were looking to become the first team to retain the cup under the Champions League era.
The closed roof of the Millennium made a cracking atmosphere and Juventus started the game much stronger and were unlucky not to take the lead early doors through a couple of strikes from Gonazlo Hugain.
The break-through did finally come from Madrid’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. His sweeping right foot effort nicked off Leonardo Bonucci into the bottom corner. Juventus were the better side in the first half and their hard work finally paid off. They produced one of the best goals in Champions League finals history. Mario Mandzukic chested the ball down then hooked it over his shoulder with his right foot over Navas in goal. A truly great goal and probably the best goal of the last decade… while for now it was. With the Italian side back in the game was it finally time for them to end the long drought?
In the second half this Madrid side showed why their champions and took full control of the game. Just after the hour a man who hardly ever scores long distance effort somehow found the corner as Casemiro gave them the lead again. It was a quick fire double blow handed out by the Spanish team as Ronaldo acted fast and grabbed his second of the game as he tucked away a cross at the front post. This was a tough place to come back from and the night did not get any easier for Juventus.
When you look up Sergio Ramos you see a leader, a winner, a proper player, and a legend. You also find one of the most controversial and what can only be defined as ‘Shithouse’ players to ever play the game. We saw classic Ramos here who won a tackle (fairly) near the touchline on Juan Cuarado who then slightly pushes the Spaniard in the back. Ramos then dived to the floor started rolling around holding his ankle. With Marcelo his teammate and fellow master of the dark arts protesting to the ref that his friend had be shot, their plan worked as Cuarado picked up his second yellow card. Real Madrid found a fourth goal via Marco Asensio late on.
So, this was Madrid’s 12th win of the competition. The first side to retain the cup in this era. Ronaldo’s 4th win of this competition and became the first player to score in 3 Champions League finals. I hope your keeping up. This was Zidane’s second victory as a head coach of Madrid and Ramos managed to pick himself up off the ground and lift the cup for his team in the end.
You can watch Ramos at work here.
Next a classic in Kiev.
Juventus headed into the final hoping to finally get their hands on the trophy since 1996. The Old Lady were also looking to lock down their own treble. Juventus had a much-changed team since their last appearance in the final against Barcelona 2 years ago. Real Madrid were pretty much the same team as they were last year.
The closed roof of the Millennium made a cracking atmosphere and Juventus started the game much stronger and were unlucky not to take the lead early doors through a couple of strikes from Gonazlo Hugain.
The break-through did finally come from Madrid’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. His sweeping right foot effort nicked off Leonardo Bonucci into the bottom corner. Juventus were the better side in the first half and their hard work finally paid off. They produced one of the best goals in Champions League finals history. Mario Mandzukic chested the ball down then hooked it over his shoulder with his right foot over Navas in goal. A truly great goal and probably the best goal of the last decade… while for now it was. With the Italian side back in the game was it finally time for them to end the long drought?
In the second half this Madrid side showed why their champions and took full control of the game. Just after the hour a man who hardly ever scores long distance effort somehow found the corner as Casemiro gave them the lead again. It was a quick fire double blow handed out by the Spanish team as Ronaldo acted fast and grabbed his second of the game as he tucked away a cross at the front post. This was a tough place to come back from and the night did not get any easier for Juventus.
When you look up Sergio Ramos you see a leader, a winner, a proper player, and a legend. You also find one of the most controversial and what can only be defined as ‘Shithouse’ players to ever play the game. We saw classic Ramos here who won a tackle (fairly) near the touchline on Juan Cuarado who then slightly pushes the Spaniard in the back. Ramos then dived to the floor started rolling around holding his ankle. With Marcelo his teammate and fellow master of the dark arts protesting to the ref that his friend had be shot, their plan worked as Cuarado picked up his second yellow card. Real Madrid found a fourth goal via Marco Asensio late on.
So, this was Madrid’s 12th win of the competition. The first side to retain the cup in this era. Ronaldo’s 4th win of this competition and became the first player to score in 3 Champions League finals. I hope your keeping up. This was Zidane’s second victory as a head coach of Madrid and Ramos managed to pick himself up off the ground and lift the cup for his team in the end.
You can watch Ramos at work here.
Next a classic in Kiev.
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