Our Champions League final guide for Juventus v Real Madrid includes betting tips, odds, statistics, roads to Cardiff and club connections.
Champions League Final Special Contents
1. When and where to watch
2. Champions League final pre-match quotes
3. Champions League final team news
4. Betting tips & Sky Bet odds
5. Roads to Cardiff
6. Juventus & Real Madrid club connections
7. Champions League final in numbers
8. Champions League final talking points
9. Opta facts
When is the Champions League final and what channel is it on
The Europa League final kicks-off at 1945 BST on Saturday June 3 and will be screened on BT Sport 2. The channel will be made free to Sky subscribers on the night, while the match will also be free-to-air on the BT Sport Showcase channel which is available on Freeview and Virgin services. It is also being shown online via the BT Sport website, app and YouTube channel.
Juventus v Real Madrid: Pre-match quotes
Juventus
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri said in quotes reported by the Daily Star: "Have we learned anything from losing in the 2015 final? You learn something every day, never mind in a Champions League final!
"Only a few people get to lift this trophy. It’s not something that happens every year.
"In the last three years, we’ve played in one final and this will be our second. But this time we have to lay our hands on the trophy."
He added: "Madrid have a lot of strengths. They’re an extraordinary side with great technique and pace.
"They’re used to playing in these kinds of games, so it will be a great final.
"We should be very pleased that we’ve made it this far, but we’re going into this year with a completely different level of belief than in 2015.”
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon: "Probably the emotions I might feel might be different to any other guy who is younger than me or any other player like Dani (Alves).
"Dani has already won this competition and he has at least four or five years ahead of him in his career
"I have to exclude this possibility as far as I am concerned, so, yes, it will be much more special for me.
"But at the same time, I want to play this game without regrets and without thinking of these issues.
"This is my moral imperative for this game and I hope I can manage to do that because our team is very compact and based on collaboration.
"I am aware that if I play well, I will be able to help my team so this would be the greatest gift I could give my team-mates."
Buffon on facing Real Madrid: "We do have trust in our capabilities for tomorrow.
"We are confident but at the same time we also feel humble because Real Madrid does have a certain feeling with finals.
"They are used to winning finals, we on the other hand have lost quite a number of finals, so perhaps it's a good match in that sense.
"We're going to try and overturn our record in history."
Real Madrid
Gareth Bale: "I'm feeling fine, there's no problems for me.
"For me, Isco has been fantastic over the last few weeks so whatever the manager decides, that obviously will happen and, whomever he chooses, I'm sure the other will be supportive of the whole team as we always are.
"I haven't spoken with the manager, but whatever decision he makes, that's final.
"I completely understand. It has been a very difficult season for me this year. The operation has caused all these problems, I've been quite unlucky and I haven't played for six or seven weeks, so I would understand if I'm on the bench completely.
"If I have to come on and make an impact that way, then that's what I will have to do. Whatever is best for the team is ultimately most important."
Manager Zinedine Zidane offered few clues as to his thinking, but indicated he considered Bale fit and ready.
"We're happy that he is with us because he is an important player. I'm glad to see he's recovered," he said.
"We're going to prepare for the match together, as always, and we're all prepared.
"Gareth doesn't have to say anything to me. He's ready, with us, and really excited. Playing at home and that's that. The players are motivated and I'm only interested about that."
Asked directly about the choice between Bale and Isco he added: "The decision is difficult because everyone is available and I will have to choose between the entire squad.
"It's normal to have the debate, because they are two very good and important players. What the press says will not influence me. We know what we're going to do and the important thing is to be prepared and focused."
On who Zidane will select: "I'm not going to tell you who's going to play tomorrow.
"Isco and Bale are two players who can also play together; in the long run, anything can happen.
"When I look at my squad, what's good is that they're all ready and willing to play.
"It's not only mentally, of course, they have to be ready physically too.
"That's what I'm interested in right now, everyone in good shape and at a high level."
On what sort of contest he thinks it will be: "I expect an open game on both sides.
"I've lived and been at Juventus, in Italy there's the famous Catenaccio, but Juve don't just have that.
"We're going to try to play our game; we know we're going to play against a great team.
"What everyone who likes football wants to see is to see a great final - and I think we will see that."
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos: "It's another opportunity for us to go out there and show who we are, a great team.
"We've been very solid. Every time we've had the chance to fight for a trophy, we've done that.
"We're going to be extremely focused, very concentrated so we make as few mistakes as possible."
Juventus v Real Madrid: Team news
The big news for Real Madrid is the potential return of Gareth Bale, who has been sidelined since picking up another calf injury against Barcelona on April 23.
But the Wales international could start in his home city of Cardiff and it is likely to be a choice between Bale and Isco for a starting spot.
Dani Carvajal is also expected to be available for selection with Zidane having a full squad to take to the Principality Stadium.
For Juventus, Mario Mandzukic is likely to be fit alongside Sami Khedira, who will battle with Miralem Pjanic and Claudio Marchisio for the two starting spots in midfield.
Left-winger Marko Pjaca and centre-back Daniele Rugani are expected to remain sidelined with injuries with Allegri having a fully fit squad to choose from otherwise.
Juventus v Real Madrid: Betting tips
Recommended bets: Champions League final
"Juve on that fateful night in Berlin certainly seemed like they would benefit from the experience and have been working and growing ever since for this moment.
"Allegri has gone from an unpopular appointment following Antonio Conte’s exit to crafting a team on the cusp of legendary status and I don’t think they will squander this golden opportunity to bring home the main prize to Turin."
Click here for David John's full preview
Charlie Nicholas' RequestABet
Higuain to score, six or more Juventus corners and 30+ Real Madrid booking points at 14/1
Sporting Life's RequestABet
Juventus to lift the trophy, Higuain to score, over 50 bookings points and 10+ corners at 11/1
Sky Bet odds
Real Madrid are Sky Bet’s slight favourites at 17/10 to Juventus’ price of 15/8 to win within 90 minutes, while extra-time is priced at 21/10 with a penalty shoot-out a 5/1 chance. Cristiano Ronaldo heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 followed by Gonzalo Higuain at 4/1, while the duo both to net is enhanced from 4/1 to 6/1 in Sky Bet’s Price Boosts. Find out what the Soccer Saturday pundits and Jamie Redknapp are predicting here.
Juventus v Real Madrid: Roads to Cardiff
Press Association Sport looks at how the clubs reached Cardiff.
GROUP STAGE
Defending champions Real Madrid were shaky in the autumn, beating Sporting Lisbon at home and away but struggling through two 2-2 draws with Borussia Dortmund and suffering the embarrassment of a 3-3 draw with Legia Warsaw, weeks after thrashing the Polish club 5-1 at the Bernabeu.
While Juventus' first-round stalemate with Sevilla disappointed some, it set the tone for a defensive masterclass across the entire campaign. The goals came when they mattered against Dinamo Zagreb and Lyon and Juve saw off Sevilla's threat to their dominance with a 3-1 away win in November.
LAST 16
Napoli represented a daunting prospect for the Spanish side, given their free-scoring ways in Serie A, but they were successfully kept at arm's length as Real won the first leg confidently. They had to recover from conceding a first-half goal to see off the Italians in the return leg, however.
Porto are always an unpredictable beast and while the Dragons are no longer at the peak of their powers, Massimiliano Allegri was suitably wary of a team who hammered Leicester 5-0 in the group stage. Defence was the key as Juve shut out the Portuguese both at home and away, progressing smoothly.
QUARTER-FINALS
Real's first proper test of their European mettle - and determination to become the first club to retain the Champions League - saw them pitted against German giants Bayern Munich and they needed the mercurial talent of Cristiano Ronaldo in both legs. The Portuguese's brace clinched a vital 2-1 win at the Allianz Arena and, when faced with a confident comeback in Madrid, he plundered a hat-trick.
No one wanted Barcelona in the last eight and even Juve's solid defenders feared the prospect of 180 minutes against the 'MSN' strikeforce. An impressive 3-0 first-leg victory meant all that was required was a backs-to-the-walls approach at the Nou Camp, and the Bianconeri duly held Barca to nil.
SEMI-FINALS
If anyone thought Ronaldo would take his foot off the gas having reached 100 European goals in the battles with Bayern, they were sorely mistaken. He almost single-handedly ensured city rivals Atletico Madrid would not make a third final appearance in four years by smashing another treble at the Bernabeu. Diego Simeone's men were up for the fight in the second leg but Isco's first-half effort meant the chase was beyond them on their final European night at the Vicente Calderon.
All-out attack met steely defence when Monaco were drawn against Juve and the Old Lady had to throw off the shackles to some extent. A remarkable team performance - led by the rampant Dani Alves - in the principality sealed a crucial 2-0 first-leg victory and Juve followed it up with a confident 2-1 triumph in Turin in which experience and organisation won the day.
Juventus results
Group stage
Juventus 0-0 Sevilla
Dinamo Zagreb 0-4 Juventus
Lyon 0-1 Juventus
Juventus 1-1 Lyon
Sevilla 1-3 Juventus
Juventus 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Last 16, first leg: Porto 0-2 Juventus
Second leg: Juventus 1-0 Porto (3-0 win on aggregate)
Quarter-finals, first leg: Juventus 3-0 Barcelona
Second leg: Barcelona 0-0 Juventus (3-0 win on aggregate)
Semi-finals, first leg: Monaco 0-2 Juventus
Second leg: Juventus 2-1 Monaco (3-1 win on aggregate)
Real Madrid results
Group stage
Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting
Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 5-1 Legia Warsaw
Legia Warsaw 3-3 Real Madrid
Sporting 1-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
Last 16, first leg: Real Madrid 3-1 Napoli
Second leg: Napoli 1-3 Real Madrid (6-2 win on aggregate)
Quarter-finals, first leg: Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Second leg: Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich (6-3 win on aggregate AET)
Semi-finals, first leg: Real Madrid 3-0 Atletico Madrid
Second leg: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid (4-2 win aggregate)
Juventus v Real Madrid: Club connections
By Scott Francis
Both Juventus and Real Madrid are behemoths in European football history, there are a huge number of league titles and European glories between the two.
Despite not having an overly rich history with each other, there are some big connections between the clubs.
Zinedine Zidane (Juventus 1996-2001, Real Madrid 2001-2006)
The former France captain has achieved something which not many players, unless they’re very special can manage, to be regarded as a legend by two huge European giants. During his time with Juventus he won two Serie A titles, one Supercoppa Italia, one UEFA Super cup, one Intercontinental Cup and a UEFA Intertoto Cup, plus two FIFA World Player of the Year awards for good measure. This was enough for Real Madrid to splash a then world-record fee of 77.5 million euros on Zidane and he lived up to the huge fee. He won LaLiga in the 2002/03 season and two Spanish cups in his time at the club, but it was the 2002 Champions League final that made him an icon. The ball came down from the sky almost in slow motion, Zidane positioned himself with perfection and struck the ball sweetly with his wand of a left foot and the ball nestled into the net. Probably one of the best goals ever, if not the best goal ever in a Champions League final.
Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus 2004-2006, 2009-2010, Real Madrid 2006-2009)
Still the only defender to win the World FIFA Player of the Year award, Italian Cannavaro was a very special player in both his time in his homeland and in Spain. Although the Serie A league table from 2004-05 and 2005-06 will show you Juventus finished top, their title wins were stripped from them, therefore Cannavaro won nothing during his time in Italy. However, he did manage two LaLiga titles during his time at Real Madrid, which added with his World Cup winner’s medal leaves his trophy cabinet looking rather full. Considering the Bernabeu club paid just seven-million euros to bring him to Spain it has to be considered a bargain, although his decline was evident towards the end of his contract with the Los Blancos. He did eventually head back to Juventus, but his best years were behind him and the fractured relationship with the fans who felt betrayed by his move to Madrid could not be repaired.
Michael Laudrup (Juventus 1985-1989, Real Madrid 1994-1996)
The Dane had wonderful talent and let’s not forget he is one of the few players to make the switch directly from Barcelona to Real Madrid. Laudrup’s time with Juventus was a real mixed bag, he managed to win one Serie A title and a Intercontinental Cup but could not live up to expectations. His one season at Real Madrid did see him land the LaLiga title, but the move was controversial after making the switch from Barcelona. Despite all the talent in the world, his stint in Italy and at the Bernabeu could not live up to his trophy haul at Barca.
Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid 2010-2014, 2016-, Juventus 2014-2016)
A talented striker who moved from Real Madrid to Juventus and then back to Real due to a buy-back clause in his contract. He had success at both clubs including LaLiga, Serie A, Spanish and Italian cup triumphs plus a Champions League title with Los Blancos. The Spaniard ensured Juventus made their last final in 2015, his goals in both the first and second legs of the semi-final against his former club. This display was enough to convince the Bernabeu hierarchy to bring back their former youth player to the club and he has gone from strength-to-strength ever since.
Fabio Capello (Juventus 1970-1976, 2004-2006, Real Madrid 1996-1997, 2006-2007)
The former England manager didn’t play for Real Madrid as a player, but he did play and coach for Juventus and bossed Los Blancos twice. He bagged three Serie A titles in the 1970’s playing for Juve, but his two league title as a manager for Juventus were revoked because of the match fixing scandal. The Italian managed two LaLiga triumphs with Real Madrid, but this was not enough to stop him getting the sack during both his spells in Spain. A falling out ended his first reign, his second reign ended because of his pragmatism, which is something many a top manager has fallen foul too at Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti (Juventus 1999-2001, Real Madrid 2013-2015)
In comparison to the other clubs Ancelotti has managed his time at Juventus was disappointing. During his two seasons, he guided the club to second but that was not good enough and he was sacked. The Italian’s time at Real Madrid was much more fruitful; he could not deliver a LaLiga title, but managed to win the Champions League in 2014. However, just like many who have gone before him his best efforts were not enough for the Los Blancos and eventually he moved on. Ancelotti will always thought be the man who brought Real Madrid their 10th European Cup win.
Juventus v Real Madrid: Final in numbers
JUVENTUS
2 - Juve have won the European Cup or Champions League twice.21 - years since they last won the competition.
0 - defeats for Juve in this season's competition. Victory would make them the first unbeaten champions since Manchester United in 2008, and the seventh in the Champions League era.
39 - goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, 39 years and 126 days old on June 3, can become the oldest-ever champion - beating by 87 days the record set by Real's Ferenc Puskas in 1966.
REAL MADRID
11 - Real's record total of European Cup and Champions League wins.
499 - they are one goal away from 500 in the Champions League since it was rebranded as such (excluding qualifying rounds).
1 - they are bidding to become the first back-to-back winners in the Champions League era.
2 - Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos are two of the five players to score in two separate Champions League finals. Raul, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi are the others.
PAST FINALS
28 - for both Italian and Spanish clubs, this is a 28th appearance in a Champions League or European Cup final. The two nations also have 28 previous wins between them - Spain 16, Italy 12.
10 - the final has gone to a penalty shoot-out on 10 occasions. Seven of those have occurred in the Champions League era and six since 2000.
2 - only two players have been sent off in Champions League or European Cup finals - Jens Lehmann for Arsenal in 2006 and Chelsea's Didier Drogba two years later.
MISCELLANEOUS
66,000 - the Millennium Stadium's capacity for the final. Each team receives 18,000 tickets.
1 - this will be the first final held in Wales. It will be the 12th in the United Kingdom, the third this decade following the 2011 and 2013 matches at Wembley.
2 - German Felix Brych will referee his second major UEFA final, following 2014's Europa League showpiece when Sevilla beat Benfica.
1,370 - approximately 370 staff and 1,000 volunteers are involved in staging the final.
2,550 - media personnel accredited for the final, including broadcast, written press and photographers.
Juventus v Real Madrid: Talking points
Press Association Sport identifies five talking points ahead of the showdown in Cardiff.
1. CAN ZZ TOP LALIGA WIN WITH EUROPEAN SUCCESS?
When Zinedine Zidane guided Real to glory against Atletico Madrid at San Siro last summer, there were critics who said he only deserved partial credit as he had taken over from Rafael Benitez just months earlier. The former Juve midfielder has since silenced most of his detractors by steering Real to a first LaLiga title since 2012 and he will not only enter an exclusive club if he wins a second Champions League crown, he will become the first coach to ever retain the trophy.
2. HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE RONALDO?
Key to Zidane's success at the Bernabeu has been his careful treatment of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who despite a slight decrease in overall figures has undeniably enjoyed one of his best campaigns with Los Blancos. He was weary throughout last year's final against Atletico, only stepping up at the end of extra-time to fire the decisive penalty, and Zidane will not let him go to Cardiff in a similar state. Juve are the defensive masters but resisting 90-plus minutes of Ronaldo is a tall order.
3. LAST-CHANCE SALOON FOR BUFFON?
Even at 39 Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon still has a few years left in him and he can already boost an almost-complete set of trophies, having won eight Serie A titles, three Italian Cups and in 2006 he was a world champion with Italy. The former Parma stopper - he won the UEFA Cup with the Gialloblu - has lost the Champions League final on two occasions, in 2003 and 2015. Juve are good enough to get to the summer spectacle again, before Buffon retires, but he may never have a better chance.
4. THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME
When Cardiff's National Stadium of Wales was chosen as the host venue for this year's showpiece, Real winger Gareth Bale had further incentive to reach his third final. However, ahead of what could be the greatest night of the former Tottenham man's career, he is facing a battle to make Zidane's team. Despite recovering from injury the Welsh was left on the bench for Real's title-winning triumph at Malaga and he has not scored since February, allowing his regular place to be taken by others.
5. ALLEGRI TO THE MAX
Antonio Conte's surprise resignation from Juve in July 2014 left a gaping void in the Bianconeri dugout and many supporters were less than impressed when the board turned to former AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri. Any suspicions about the Tuscan's suitability for the job have evaporated, though, and he is targeting a treble after winning his sixth and seventh trophies for Juve in May. Allegri will not discuss his future in Turin until after the final - will the outcome determine his decision?
Juventus v Real Madrid: Opta facts
This is the 19th encounter between Juventus and Real Madrid – all in the European Cup/Champions League, making this the second-most played fixture in the history of Europe’s premier club competition after Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (24).
The head-to-head record between Juventus and Real Madrid is perfectly balanced, with eight wins each and two draws. However, their only previous meeting in the Champions League final saw Real Madrid win 1-0 in 1998 thanks to a Pedrag Mijatovic goal.
Real Madrid have reached the European Cup/Champions League final for the 15th time, four more than any other club (AC Milan, 11). They�����ve won 11 of the previous 14, again more than any other team in history. In fact, they’ve won each of their last five finals in the competition, last losing in 1981 against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Juventus have won only two of their eight European Cup/Champions League finals (25%), the lowest win rate of any team to have featured in at least five finals. They’ve lost their last four (1997, 1998, 2003, 2015).
Juventus could become the ninth team to achieve the treble league-domestic cup-European Cup/Champions League, the first since Barcelona in 2014/15 and only the second Italian club in history after Inter Milan in 2009/10.
Meanwhile Real Madrid will attempt to become the first team since AC Milan (1989, 1990) to win back-to-back European Cup/Champions League trophies.
Real Madrid have reached the final for the third time in four seasons, that’s as many final appearances for the Madrid club in the competition as in the previous 22 European Cup/Champions League campaigns.
Juventus are the only unbeaten team in this season’s Champions League (W9 D3). They are the first team since Atlético Madrid in 2013/14 to reach the final without losing a single game. o In fact, no team has lifted the Champions League trophy without suffering a single defeat since Manchester Utd did it in 2007/08.
Juventus have conceded only three goals in 12 Champions League games this season. Only one team had reached the final with fewer goals conceded under the current format (since 2003/04), it was Arsenal in 2005/06 (2).
Real Madrid have scored in every single one of their 12 games in the Champions League this season (32 goals, most prolific attack) but have also kept only one clean sheet; it was against Atlético Madrid in the semi-final first leg (3-0).
In fact, Real Madrid have conceded the opening goal in five of their six knockout games this season whilst Juventus have never trailed at any point in this season’s knockout phase.
Fourteen of Real Madrid’s last 15 Champions League goals have been scored from the 42nd minute onwards.
If he plays, Gianluigi Buffon will be the third oldest player to feature in a European Cup/Champions League final (39 years and four months) after Dino Zoff (41 years and two months in the 1983 final) and Edwin van der Sar (40 years and six months in the 2011 final).
Dani Alves has scored more goals (10) and delivered more assists (25) than any other full-back in the Champions League since his debut in 2007/08. If he plays, it will be his 100th game in the competition and would become only the second Brazilian player to reach that milestone after Roberto Carlos.
Gonzalo Higuain has scored four goals in 26 Champions League knockout games (0.15), as opposed to 13 goals in 38 group games (0.34). This is nevertheless his most prolific campaign in the competition (5 goals).
Cristiano Ronaldo has reached the 10-goal mark for the sixth consecutive Champions League campaign – no other player has done it on more than two consecutive seasons (Messi, Van Nistelrooy). He’s also played more than any other outfield player in this season’s competition (1110 minutes).
If he plays, this will be Ronaldo’s fifth European Cup/Champions League final. Only three players have featured in more: Paolo Maldini, Paco Gento (8), Alfredo Di Stefano (7).
Ronaldo or Sergio Ramos could become only the second player to score in three different European Cup/Champions League finals after Alfredo Di Stéfano, who found the net in five different finals. Ronaldo has netted three goals in four competitive matches at the Principality Stadium, all with Manchester Utd.
Alvaro Morata or Mario Mandzukic could become only the third player to score in the European Cup/Champions League final for two different teams after Velibor Vasovic (Partizan Belgrade, Ajax) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd, Real Madrid). Morata netted for Juventus in the 2015 final whilst Mandzukic scored against Dortmund in the 2013 showpiece.
If he plays, it will be Isco’s 50th Champions League game. He’s only scored one goal in his last 31 outings in the competition, it was against Atlético Madrid in this season’s semi-final second leg.
Zinedine Zidane could win his second Champions League in only his second season in European competition as manager, the first to achieve such a feat since Dettmar Cramer with Bayern Munich (1975, 1976). Zidane was part of the Juventus side that lost against Real Madrid in the only previous Champions League final between both teams (1998).
Massimiliano Allegri is also taking charge of his second Champions League final as manager after his defeat against Barcelona in the 2015 final. He could become the eighth Italian manager to win the European Cup/Champions League, more than any other nationality.
Three of the last five Champions League finals have gone to extra-time, including two which have been decided on penalties.
Only one of the last 25 European Cup/Champions League finals has ended 0-0, whether after 90 minutes or extra-time. It was in 2003, when AC Milan beat Juventus 3-2 on penalties.
This is only the fifth European Cup/Champions League final to be played in the month of June after 1956, 1959, 1971 and 2015.
There has been 3.02 goals per game scored in this season’s Champions League (375 in 124 games), the highest ever average in the competition’s history (since 1992/93).
Wales are hosting their first ever European Cup/Champions League final. They are the 16th country to do so.