Cleveland Stuns On The Road Behind LeBron James, Ties The NBA Finals At 1-1

The Cleveland Cavaliers stunned just about anyone who had been paying a whiff of attention to these NBA Finals, downing the 67-win Golden State Warriors in overtime to take a 1-1 series tie back to Cleveland. These NBA Finals were expected to be a one-sided affair with Cleveland working without the injured Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, and yet the Cavs rallied behind LeBron James and the indefatigable Matthew Dellavedova in order to pull out the 95-93 win.

The Warriors had to overcome an 11-point deficit with 3:13 left in the contest in order to force that overtime, with a series of calls going their way on both ends. James wowed all onlookers with a 39-point, 16-rebound and 11-assist night, but he also missed 23 of 34 shots from the field and clanged a potential game-winner in regulation. Warriors guard and NBA MVP Stephen Curry missed 18 of 23 shots while turning the ball over six times, airballing a possible go-ahead jumper in the waning seconds of overtime.

Meanwhile, Irving’s replacement – the tireless Dellavedova – clinched the game with two clutch free throws in the final seconds after securing an offensive rebound off a James Jones miss.

Jones was the seventh in a seven-man rotation as Cleveland threw all that it competently had against Golden State in the win. The team made fewer than a third of its shots overall and shot exactly 33 1/3 percent from three-point land, but it also crashed toward the free-throw line and took care of the ball – the Cavs turned the ball over just 13 times in 53 minutes.

James, Dellavedova, and forward Tristan Thompson were absolute workhorses. Thompson scored just two points (after the 64 percent free-throw shooter was hacked twice intentionally, making 2 of 4 from the line), but he also expertly switched on several Warriors after screen-and-roll plays while pulling 14 rebounds – with seven coming on offense. Dellavedova, only starting because of Kyrie Irving’s kneecap fracture, missed seven of ten shots and turned the ball over six times, but he also played fantastic defense on Curry while helping to clear James for endless isolation sets on the other end.

In return, the sweet-shooting Warriors just couldn’t buy one.

Credit should go to Cleveland’s active defense, but the Warriors did clang on an unending series of jump shots and made a series of poor offensive decisions from stem to bloody stern. Klay Thompson impressed by hitting four of his first five shots while working toward 34 points in 45 minutes, but the W’s turned the ball over more times than they assisted (17 to 16) and missed 27 of 35 three-pointers.

GSW coach Steve Kerr limited his bench options as well, working only seven players double-figure minutes in a 53-minute contest, waiting out Curry’s bad luck streak in dancing school from long range – the MVP missed 13 of 15 from behind the arc.

“Nobody is immune from a tough night,” Kerr offered following the loss, and he wouldn’t be wrong in that regard. What he would be wrong with, and he’s certain to agree, would be putting Curry in a position to succeed. The league’s MVP was forced by the Cavalier into working as an afterthought offensively, showcasing little of the derring-do that marked his team’s 80-18 start to the season.

As it ran, his helpers acted as standbys rather than colleagues. Draymond Green played a good floor game defensively with four blocks, but it took until overtime for him to hit a field goal. Harrison Barnes worked a hesitant run, needing 10 shots to score 11 points, missing a makeable 17-footer late in overtime that could have sealed the deal for his team. Andre Iguodala, charged with chasing LeBron James up and down the court, could not replicate his Game 1 heroics offensively.

This was Cleveland’s win, though, and not Golden State’s loss. The Warriors had their chances, to be sure, but only because a determined Cavalier squad dared them into taking them.

The Cavs always seemed in control; and not for the usual, get-the-ball-to-LeBron-and-get-out-da-way, reasons. There was more movement and more action in Game 2 than in Game 1’s overtime loss, with James diving into his sets earlier in the shot clock and with screen-and-roll action clouding Golden State’s defensive approach. Somehow, 11 of Cleveland’s total of 14 assists came from James, as he lowered his shoulder and drove the Cavaliers toward the win – sitting for just 160 seconds of time in his team’s 98th game of the season.

“You'd be hard pressed," Cavs coach David Blatt said following the contest,“to find a guy anywhere, anytime ‑‑ I can think of a name or two, but that's the whole history of basketball ‑‑ that can give you the kind of all‑around performance and all‑around leadership that LeBron does for his group.”

Kerr concluded that “both teams defended like crazy out there,” and, again, he isn’t wrong in that summation. What seems to trick his Warriors, though, is the idea of playing from ahead.

James, for all his aspirations to surround himself with fellow stars and trusted role players, relishes the idea of playing from behind, and his Cavaliers clearly thrive on the challenge. Whether it’s taking on a full-strength Bulls squad while down a starter and a half, working against a top-seeded Atlanta Hawks club, or spitting into the wind while flying out to face the NBA’s best and healthiest team in its own arena, James and limited Co. continually rise to the challenge despite those abysmal shooting marks.

The Warriors get to play the same routine on the road soon, though, acting as the accidental martyr. LeBron’s Cavs have the home-court advantage in a best-of five series, now, with the pressure off of Golden State and the uniforms turning from blues and whites to yellow and yellow. Somehow, out of nowhere, the most important game of the NBA’s 223-day (and counting) season was tipped off on Matthew Dellavedova gathering an offensive rebound and James Jones working as a stretch four off of the bench. Things have gotten out of hand, and Golden State’s task is to restore order.

LeBron James, the guy who just played the game of his life while still missing 23 shots, doesn’t want order to return. Orthodoxy is his enemy, and that’s what makes him so compelling.

He plays best on the edge, with nary a call to go his way, with Timofey Mozgov as his second-leading scorer. It’s clear that he’s ready to do whatever it takes to extend his franchise’s season, and it’s hard to counter that sort of determination with a few fluttery three-pointers. Golden State might win out to end these Finals, but it won’t be easy.

Juve Still Have Bright Future - Morata

Juventus's disappointment after losing 3-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League final was plain to see but once the dust settles on one of the great European showpiece matches there will be lots of positives to reflect on.

The scorer of their only goal, Alvaro Morata, believes the Italian club can build on their double domestic success of this season and challenge for the Champions League title again soon.

"This is a great squad, a great family and we must continue working hard. This team has no limits, it can win the Champions League, and the directors are working to build an even stronger side," said former Real Madrid striker Morata.

"I want to thank the fans who came out here, as we are honoured to wear the jersey for them," he added.

Although veterans like goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and playmaker Andrea Pirlo may not get too many more chances to win the greatest club prize in European soccer, this has still been a remarkably successful season for Juve.

Winners of a fourth successive Serie A title and the Coppa Italia and victors over outgoing Champions League holders Real Madrid in the semifinals last month, Juve are again reaching, or at least coming close, to their former heights.

"The spirit is back after everything that happened to Juve in the past. The club can hold its head high again and this defeat will not stop us moving forward," defender Andrea Barzagli told reporters.

"Yes it is a bitter pill to swallow, but we played very well against probably the best team in the world. This was no disgrace."

CALCIOPOLI SCANDAL

Almost a decade ago, the grand "Old Lady" of Italian football was demoted to Serie B in the wake of the Calciopoli betting scandal but they have rejuvenated themselves since.

Players like Carlos Tevez, Paul Pogba, Patrice Evra and Morata, who played a bit-part in Real Madrid's Champions League success last season, have restored the club's sense of pride.

Buffon is the last playing link with the past before the nightmare of the Calciopoli affair struck in 2006 and he in a way symbolised their battling spirit on Saturday.

The 37-year-old, back in the Olympic Stadium where Italy won the World Cup in 2006, made two important saves in the first 15 minutes and pulled off two blinding stops in the second half.

Buffon is one of the great keepers of this or any other era and was the first to console a tearful Pirlo at the end.

Although he was beaten by Ivan Rakitic's early opener, Buffon was the foundation for an excellent performance.

He wanted nothing more than to eradicate the memory of his previous Champions League final experience – a loss to AC Milan in 2003 – with a victory but he was philosophical afterwards.

Buffon has six Serie A titles in his locker and told Sky Italia: "This is one of the disappointments sport gives you, but before that we shared many great moments of joy with our fans.

"It was a shame not to have the final to really finish off this journey, but at one point I really did believe."

Although this was their fourth straight Champions League final defeat since the second of their two titles in 1996, the fact they got there speaks volumes for their durability.

Barcelona were the deserved winners but beaten Juve's immediate prospects look far from being down and out.

Allegri Casts Doubt On Pirlo Future Amid MLS Rumours

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri refused to say whether Andrea Pirlo will return to the club next season.

Pirlo, 36, joined the Bianconeri from AC Milan on a free transfer in the summer of 2011 and has since won seven trophies, including four consecutive Italian Serie A titles, with Juve.

Recent reports have suggested Pirlo will end his 20-year stint in the Serie A and move to the MLS, but Allegri failed to comment on the future of the 36-year-old midfielder.

“As far as Pirlo is concerned, I can’t give you an answer I’m afraid,” Allegri said.

“As for Juventus, I think we can improve still. Not necessarily results because that would mean winning all three trophies.

“What we can improve is the quality of our game. We can consolidate and strengthen our way of playing and stay among the top eight teams in Europe on a regular basis.

“This is the most important objective for the club.”

Pirlo tallied four goals and five assists in 20 league appearances for the Italian champions in 2014/15.

Adebayor happy at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has insisted he is looking forward to next season with the North Londoners despite rumours linking him with a summer move to Turkey.

This week, reports in Turkey quoted Mehdi Isik, a man claiming to be Adebayor’s new agent, as saying the former Arsenal striker was interested in joining the Turkish Süper Lig.

“For the record, I have seen some articles regarding a transfer to teams in Turkey,” Adebayor tweeted.

“I can confirm I have never heard of Mehdi Isik who has said he is my agent and have never discussed any move to Turkey.

“I am very happy with Tottenham and look forward to the next season with them.”

It seems rather surprising that Adebayor, 31, is ‘very happy’ at White Hart Lane after starting just nine English Premier League matches under Mauricio Pochettino last season, but apparently he is.

Hazard hoping Chelsea sign Benteke

Chelsea F.C. star Eden Hazard has revealed he would be the ‘happiest man in the world’ if the club were to sign Christian Benteke this summer.

Benteke, 24, is expected to leave Aston Villa when the transfer window re-opens in July, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United competing for his signature.

“If Christian signs with us, I would be the happiest man in the world,” Hazard told reporters in Belgium.

“I have a great relationship with him and would like nothing better than to play with him. Christian is 25. He is at an age where he has to make a good career choice.

“Not that Aston Villa is a small club but he has already played many great games and can now play in the Champions League.”

Benteke scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances for Villa last season.

Iniesta Out Of Spain Training Camp

The Barcelona midfielder has been excused from joining up with the national squad on Monday due to muscle problems

Andres Iniesta will not take part in the start of Spain's training camp ahead of their upcoming internationals due to "muscular discomfort".

Spain face Costa Rica in a friendly on Thursday before taking on Belarus in a Euro 2016 qualifier three days later.

Iniesta had been a doubt for Barcelona's Champions League final with Juventus because of a calf injury sustained in the Copa del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao, but the midfielder recovered in time to deliver an instrumental performance in the 3-1 victory in Berlin on Saturday, earning the man of the match award as Barca secured the treble.

However, a statement on the Spain national team's official website read: "The FC Barcelona and Juventus players who took part in the Champions League final had permission to join the Spain squad on Monday 8th [June] at 6pm.

"Jordi Alba, [Marc] Bartra, [Sergio] Busquets, Pedro and [Gerard] Pique, as well as [Alvaro] Morata will arrive to Las Rozas where they look to take part in practice at 7:30pm.

"Midfielder Andres Iniesta will no take part on Monday 8th June.

"The Medical Services of the Spanish National Team have taken the decision that the muscular discomfort suffered by the player throughout the past week are sufficient for him to miss practice."

Adebayor Removed From Togo Squad

The Tottenham striker, along with Kossi Agassa and Floyd Ayite, will not feature for the start the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign versus Liberia next weekend

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been removed from the Togo squad after failing to join up with the team on time.

Togo start their qualification campaign for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations against Liberia next Sunday.

But they will do so without Adebayor, Reims goalkeeper Kossi Agassa and Bastia attacking midfielder Floyd Ayite, who also showed up late.

"I have no problem with the players as individuals," coach Tom Saintfiet told BBC Sport.

"It's their choice not to come to the hotel, not to be part of the group, and that makes the choice for me very easy to say these players are now not able to be part of the national team.

"We ask only to be as one team together, to prepare us for these important game."

Saintfiet added that the trio had been missing for most of the past week as Togo prepare for Monday's friendly with Ghana.

He said: "Floyd Ayite and [Kossi] Agassa were only one time in training and Emmanuel [Adebayor] came twice, but for the rest of the time I never saw him.

"So I'm very sad about that because these three players were in my squad of 23, they are important players for the country and I was looking forward to working with them."

Michael Babatunde Quits Volyn Lutsk

Babatunde Michael has quit his Ukrainian Club Volyn Lutsk last Wednesday, the player disclosed to Goal in Abuja on Sunday.

“I have quit my Ukrainian club Volyn Lutsk because we had some issues of salary payment. They owe me about seven months salaries which made me to terminate my contract with the club,” Babatunde told Goal.

The player's contract was due to end this summer.

“I have cancelled my contract with them and I am looking forward to joining a new club now.

“Right now I have many offers coming from clubs from Spain, Germany, Belgium and other two clubs also in Ukraine.

“I just keep on praying to God to show me the right club that I will go that I will have playing time.

“I need playing time because after I came back from injury I started playing. So I need playing time so that all my fans in Nigeria and abroad will be happy that I am playing regularly with a club and the Chief Coach of the national team will be happy too,” he said.

The midfielder also expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will beat the visiting Chad national team on Saturday in Kaduna.

“Yes, I believe we will win the match because we have a lot of quality players that are capable of making Nigeria proud in any match they play,” he said.

“The players the coach invited for this game are super ready to give their very best against Chad because you don’t get this kind of opportunity to play in the national team always,” Babatunde concluded. 

Football | Champions League

Lionel Messi © Action Images

Video Highlights Win with PS4

Big Match Feature: Juve v Barca

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06 June 2015, 12:16

Two of European football's great names meet in the 2014/15 Uefa Champions League final as Juventus and FC Barcelona face off at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Saturday.

Juventus, appearing in their first final in 12 years, are seeking a third European crown at the expense of a Barcelona side with their sights set on a fifth title – and fourth in the past decade.

For both coaches, victory in Berlin would be the icing on the cake of an already impressive debut season, Massimiliano Allegri having led his Juventus team to the Serie A title, with Luis Enrique achieving the same feat in Spain with Barça.

Indeed, having both also triumphed in their domestic cup finals, Barcelona or Juventus would complete a treble with victory in Berlin. In Barça's case, it would be a record second after their success in 2008/09. In addition to that Barcelona side, previous treble winners are Celtic FC (1967), AFC Ajax (1972), PSV Eindhoven (1988), Manchester United FC (1999), FC Internazionale Milano (2010) and FC Bayern München (2013).

Final pedigree

Juventus

• For Juventus this is their eighth European Cup final. Their record is W2 L5:

1972/73 0-1 v AFC Ajax

1982/83 0-1 v Hamburger SV

1984/85 1-0 v Liverpool FC

1995/96 1-1 v AFC Ajax (4-2 pens)

1996/97 1-3 v Borussia Dortmund*

1997/98 0-1 v Real Madrid CF

2002/03 0-0 v AC Milan (2-3 pens)

*played at Munich's Olympiastadion

Juve, SL Benfica and Bayern have all lost five European Cup finals; no side has suffered six defeats.

Juventus have also played in four Uefa Cup finals – winning three (1977, 1990, 1993) and losing one (1995) – as well as the 1984 European Cup Winners' Cup final, which they won.

The Turin club's squad features four players with Uefa Champions League final-winning experience: Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan 2003, 2007); Patrice Evra and Carlos Tévez (Manchester United FC 2008); Álvaro Morata (Real Madrid CF 2014).

A substitute in Madrid's final victory 12 months ago, Morata could become the fourth player to appear in Uefa Champions League final victories in successive seasons for different clubs, after Marcel Desailly (Olympique de Marseille 1993, Milan 1994), Paulo Sousa (Juventus 1996, Dortmund 1997) and Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona 2009, Inter 2010).

A member of AS Monaco FC's beaten finalists in 2004, Evra tasted defeat against Barcelona with United in both the 2009 and 2011 finals, with Tévez featuring in the 2009 game too.

Buffon is the sole survivor of Juventus's last final appearance in 2003, when Pirlo was on the opposing side.

Barcelona

This is also Barcelona's eighth European Cup final and their record is W4 L3:

1960/61 2-3 v SL Benfica

1985/86 0-0 v FC Steaua Bucuresti (0-2 pens)

1991/92 1-0 v UC Sampdoria (aet)

1993/94 0-4 v AC Milan

2005/06 2-1 v Arsenal FC

2008/09 2-0 v Manchester United FC

2010/11 3-1 v Manchester United FC

A scorer in Barcelona's 2009 and 2011 victories, Lionel Messi could become the first player to find the net in three Uefa Champions League finals.

As well as facing Italy's Sampdoria and Milan in European Cup finals, Barcelona also beat Samp 2-0 in the 1989 European Cup Winners' Cup final.

In total Barcelona played in six Uefa Cup Winners' Cup finals, winning in 1979, 1982, 1989 and 1997 and losing in 1969 and 1991. Luis Enrique was a member of their victorious 1997 side against Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona have eight survivors of their 2011 Uefa Champions League final team in their squad: Daniel Alves, Gerard Piqué, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Javier Mascherano, Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodríguez and Lionel Messi. Adriano was an unused substitute.

Ivan Rakitic was man of the match for Sevilla FC in last season's Uefa Europa League final.

Previous meetings

Juventus edged past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate when the clubs met in the 2002/03 Uefa Champions League quarterfinals. After a 1-1 draw in Turin, Marcelo Zalayeta's 114th-minute goal secured victory for Juve at the Camp Nou after Xavi had equalised a Pavel Nedved strike.

Luis Enrique played alongside Xavi in both of those ties, captaining Barcelona in the second leg. Buffon was in goal for Juventus.

Barcelona ended Juventus's European Cup defence in the 1985/86 quarterfinals, winning 1-0 in Spain before a 1-1 draw in Turin where Michel Platini got the Bianconeri's goal.

Five years later Barcelona came out on top in the sides' 1990/91 European Cup Winners' Cup semifinal, winning 3-1 at home before a 1-0 defeat in Italy.

Match Background

Juventus

Juventus reached the final by deposing holders Real Madrid CF with a 3-2 aggregate success in the last four. They are now looking to mark the 30th anniversary of their first European Cup triumph by reclaiming the trophy at the expense of another Spanish giant.

Allegri's men are on a nine-game unbeaten run in the competition, keeping five clean sheets.

Barcelona are the third Spanish opponents for Juve in this campaign. In the group stage, they lost 1-0 at Club Atlético de Madrid before a 0-0 home draw.

The Italian side's overall record against Spanish clubs is P44 W15 D11 L18.

Juve's shoot-out record in Uefa competition is W3 L3:

2-3 v AC Milan, 2002/03 Uefa Champions League final

4-2 v AFC Ajax, 1995/96 Uefa Champions League final

1-3 v Real Madrid CF, 1986/87 European Cup second round

4-2 v Argentinos Juniors, 1985 European/South American Cup final

1-4 v Widzew Lódz, 1980/81 Uefa Cup second round

3-0 v AFC Ajax, 1977/78 European Cup quarterfinal

Barcelona

Barcelona are back in the final after a four-year absence, and booked their ticket to Berlin by beating FC Bayern München 5-3 on aggregate in the semifinals. Prior to their second-leg loss in Munich, they were on a nine-match winning streak in the competition.

Barcelona last faced Italian opponents in last term's group stage, overcoming a Milan side coached by Allegri 3-1 at home after a 1-1 away draw.

The Spanish champions' record against teams from Italy is P43 W22 D13 L8.

Messi has scored seven goals in his last five appearances against Serie A sides.

Barcelona's shoot-out record in Uefa competition is W5 L1:

5-4 v KKS Lech Poznan, 1988/89 European Cup Winners' Cup second round

0-2 v FC Steaua Bucuresti, 1985/86 European Cup final

5-4 v IFK Göteborg, 1985/86 European Cup semifinal

4-1 v RSC Anderlecht, 1978/79 European Cup Winners' Cup second round

3-1 v Ipswich Town FC, 1977/78 Uefa Cup third round

5-4 v AZ Alkmaar, 1977/78 Uefa Cup second round

Coach and player links

As coach of Milan (2010–14), Allegri suffered Uefa Champions League elimination against Barcelona in two successive seasons, losing in the 2011/12 quarterfinals (1-3 agg) and the 2012/13 round of 16 (2-4 agg). His full record in eight games against the Blaugrana is W1 D3 L4.

As a player Luis Enrique was twice eliminated in the Uefa Champions League quarterfinals by Juventus, with Barcelona in 2002/03 and Real Madrid in 1995/96.

• As AS Roma coach in 2011/12, Luis Enrique faced Juventus three times. In Serie A he oversaw a 1-1 home draw – Giorgio Chiellini scoring for the Bianconeri – and a 4-0 away loss where Arturo Vidal (2), Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio scored. Roma also lost 3-0 in a Coppa Italia quarterfinal in Turin.

Luis Enrique also lost both meetings with Allegri's Milan that season, going down 3-2 at home and 2-1 at San Siro.

Vidal helped eliminate holders Spain from the 2014 Fifa World Cup when his Chile team – also including Claudio Bravo – earned a 2-0 win over a Spanish side containing Jordi Alba, Pedro, Busquets and Iniesta.

Uruguay knocked out Italy at last year's World Cup with a 1-0 victory in Natal; Luis Suárez, Cristian Rodríguez and Martín Cáceres (Uruguay); Buffon, Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Pirlo and the red-carded Claudio Marchisio (Italy) all featured.

Xavi, Iniesta, Piqué and Busquets converted spot kicks past Buffon as Spain beat Italy 7-6 on penalties in the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup semifinal. Pirlo scored for Italy, but Bonucci missed. Neymar also scored past Buffon in Brazil's 4-2 group win over Italy earlier in the tournament.

Alba scored past Buffon in Spain's 4-0 victory over Italy in the Uefa EURO 2012 final. Piqué, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta and Pedro were also in the Spain team – Fernando Llorente on the bench – while the Azzurri side included Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo and Marchisio.

Stephan Lichtsteiner scored past Marc-André ter Stegen on the goalkeeper's Germany debut in a 5-3 defeat by Switzerland in May 2012.

Piqué played with Evra and Tévez at Manchester United in 2007/08, while Tévez was a club-mate of Javier Mascherano with SC Corinthians Paulista (2005–06) and West Ham United FC (2006/07).

Cáceres played 13 Liga games for Barcelona in 2008/09. He made two Uefa Champions League appearances and was on the bench for that season's final victory over Manchester United.

Cáceres and Rakitic were teammates at Sevilla between 2011 and 2012.

• Morata started one 'Clásico' against Barcelona – Madrid's 2-1 home win in March 2013 – and also appeared as a substitute in Madrid's 4-3 home loss the following season.

Llorente won just once in 20 meetings with Barcelona as an Athletic player, scoring three times.

Venue notes

• Pirlo and Buffon won the 2006 World Cup at the Olympiastadion, the former scoring the opening penalty in Italy's 5-3 shoot-out triumph over France. Andrea Barzagli was an unused substitute for Italy.

• Berlin is the fourth German city to have hosted the European Cup final after Munich (1980, 1993, 1997, 2012), Gelsenkircken (2004) and Stuttgart (1959, 1988). A Spanish club, Real Madrid, won the first final staged in Germany, beating Stade de Reims 2-0 in Stuttgart in 1958/59.

Match facts

Juventus

Juventus clinched a fourth successive Italian title three days before their semifinal first leg against Real Madrid. Since the return match in Spain on 13 May, the Bianconeri have beaten Inter (2-1) and SSC Napoli (3-1) in Serie A and drawn with last-day opponents Hellas Verona FC (2-2).

For the second consecutive season, Juventus ended the campaign 17 points clear of runners-up Roma. Allegri's men had the most prolific attack (72 goals scored) and the meanest defence (24 conceded).

Juventus are nine games unbeaten in all competitions.

Chiellini's first club goal since 2 February 2014 drew Juventus level against SS Lazio in the Coppa Italia final on 20 May. Alessandro Matri's extra-time winner sealed a 2-1 victory as the Turin side ended a two-decade wait for domestic cup glory.

The triumph was the Old Lady's 10th in the competition, a record, and rubber-stamped the club's third double.

Stefano Sturaro scored his first goal for Juventus in the defeat of Napoli on 23 May. Simone Pepe, who has struggled with injuries for two and a half years, rounded things off from the spot – his first goal since 11 April 2012.

Rested for the Coppa Italia decider, Buffon made the 900th competitive appearance of his career during the Napoli game, stopping a penalty from Lorenzo Insigne.

Tévez, who had a late spot kick saved against Verona, finished as Juve's 20-goal top scorer in Serie A, two behind leading marksmen Luca Toni and Mauro Icardi.

On 25 May, Allegri received the Enzo Bearzot Award, the fifth edition of an accolade named in honour of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning coach.

Cáceres (out since 5 March, ankle) is still sidelined. Barzagli suffered a thigh strain against Napoli and is a doubt for the final.

Chiellini has been ruled out of the Berlin final having suffered a calf injury in training on 3 June.

On 4 June, Juve signed 21-year-old forward Paulo Dybala from US Città di Palermo for a fee that could rise as high as €40m.

Barcelona

Xavi became the first player to make 150 Uefa Champions League appearances when he featured as a substitute in the semifinal second leg against Bayern.

Five days after that 3-2 loss in Germany, Barcelona wrapped up their 23rd Liga title by winning 1-0 at Atlético.

The Azulgrana surrendered a two-goal lead when drawing 2-2 against visitors RC Deportivo La Coruña on the last day of the Liga season. Having recovered from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since the 2014 World Cup, Thomas Vermaelen made his Barcelona debut, playing 61 minutes.

Barça won a record-extending 27th Copa del Rey on 30 May, completing the club's sixth domestic double, by beating Athletic 3-1 at the Camp Nou. Messi opened and rounded off the scoring, while Neymar was also on target.

Messi, Neymar and Suárez have scored 120 goals between them in all competitions this term, surpassing the 118 Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín managed for Real Madrid in 2011/12.

Messi has scored 58 goals this season – 43 in the Liga, 10 in the Uefa Champions League and five in the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona announced on 2 June that they had reached an agreement with Alba to extend the left-back's contract until summer 2020.

Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus coach

We started the season with an important objective – to get to the quarterfinals. Now we've got to the final and we have to be winners. We need to take the last step; that's always hard, especially in a Champions League final.

Messi, Neymar, Suárez, it's the usual question since the semifinal – how do you stop them, how do you stop them? We need to be very skilled but we need to recognise we're not going to draw; we need to score. How do you stop Barcelona? We need to think how to score. We need to be strong technically because they're a technical team and attack is their best weapon so we need to be very, very aware of that.

We need to stay focused for 90 minutes, right until the end. We need to be mentally strong and turn things around because we're second favourites to Barcelona. It's a one-off match, no chance to play again, so we need to be fit. We are physically fine and the same goes for our mental strength. We need to be good against a great team but, like all teams, they do have faults and weaknesses.

One of the two teams will win a treble, either Juventus or Barcelona – hopefully us. We need to recognise this isn't easy. It's not easy to manage great teams, despite how it seems from the outside. Luis Enrique was a great manager at Roma; this is a new league and a new situation but even back then it was clear he was right in his ideas. My role as manager is trying to add value to a team who were already capable, improving them even more.

It should be a great game. As with all Champions League finals, we'll need some luck and we'll need to work for that.

We're very sorry for what happened to Chiellini but I guess it was meant to be. We lost a player who had been great for us from the start of the season. Barzagli and Ogbonna are both fit; if Barzagli feels OK he's going to play, otherwise it's Ogbonna.

It's important that we have an Italian team in the final. The last time was five years ago, in 2010 when Inter won. We can see the enthusiasm; most Italians are looking forward to seeing Juventus lift the cup. This is going to be something positive for our game.

Irrespective of the outcome, we've had an extraordinary season. Apart from the league title and the 10th Coppa Italia, which had been missing for 20 years, we have to consider the consolidation of the team in Europe, getting back among the top eight teams. That's important for building momentum.

Luis Enrique, Barcelona coach

[Getting better] is a normal process throughout a season, especially bearing in mind this is my first season in charge. The team is now where it wants to be – with two trophies and the possibility of a third. We're entering this game with great excitement and hopes of playing a great match so we can be better than our opponents.

Midfield is where the game takes shape, whether that's attack or defence. We have to dominate both the offensive and the defensive side of things. We want to play our game – have the ball, create danger and minimise any opportunities for our opponents.

There is some euphoria among the fans and we're delighted to see that – that feeling has been there for several months. As players and coaches, we're focusing on this match with a great sense of seriousness and responsibility. We have to handle the occasion properly and make sure we have a good day so we can deal with such powerful opponents.

I imagine we'll have more possession, we hope to spend more time in their half. We'll have to play at a high level, it's going to be a difficult match. Juve have a very similar style to ours, they also need the ball. They're very good in defence, they're very resourceful and that's why they're in the same position as us – they can win the treble too. We know Juve will want and they're going to pressure us. Who will win depends on who adapts better to those situations.

We've scored lots of goals in the Champions League but we know finals are very different; there's a lot of tension so we'll have to block that out. The strikers have got all the headlines and that's natural. To be here today, having already won those two trophies in Spain, the players know you need a squad – we wouldn't have got here without our defenders too.

We have a unique set of players, a unique generation given the number of trophies Barcelona have won. I hope we see a great final, an open, exciting game – that would be great for football, and the better side would win. This is going to be one of the best matches you can watch – the champions of Italy and Spain. It's going to be spectacular.

Possible line-ups

Juventus (ITA) : Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Vidal; Tévez, Morata.

Doubtful: Barzagli (thigh)

Out: Chiellini (calf), Cáceres (ankle), Asamoah* (knee), Rômulo* (thigh)

*Removed from the list in January

Full 22-man squad for Berlin (named Thursday)

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Marco Storari, Rubinho

Defenders: Angelo Ogbonna, Andrea Barzagli, Paolo De Ceglie, Leonardo Bonucci, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Patrice Evra

Midfielders: Paul Pogba, Simone Pepe, Claudio Marchisio, Simone Padoin, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Stefano Sturaro, Roberto Pereyra

Forwards: Álvaro Morata, Carlos Tévez, Kingsley Coman, Fernando Llorente, Alessandro Matri

Team news

Giorgio Chiellini

The centre-back has been ruled out due to a calf injury sustained in training on Wednesday. The 30-year-old underwent a scan on Thursday which showed up a first-grade tear.

Andrea Barzagli

Barzagli has not played since suffering a thigh strain against SSC Napoli on 23 May but returned to regular training on Wednesday and was named in the squad on Thursday. He remains doubtful, though Chiellini's absence means he is very likely to start if fit and he did train on Friday at the Olympiastadion.

Paul Pogba

Injured his ankle on 18 March and only returned on 9 May. He has since played a total of 255 minutes in Serie A and 89 in the Uefa Champions League. "Hopefully he will be at his peak in Berlin," said Allegri.

Martín Cáceres

The versatile defender has been out since fracturing his ankle in March, at which point he was ruled out for the season.

Álvaro Morata

A second-half substitute in last season's final, when he helped Real Madrid CF overcome Club Atlético de Madrid, the young forward is expected to start this time around. "I feel in great form physically," he said.

Roberto Pereyra

He is not expected to start in Berlin, but attacking midfielder Pereyra is certainly among those hitting form. After scoring in Juve's last two Serie A matches of the season, he will probably be involved.

FC Barcelona (ESP): Ter Stegen; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar.

Doubtful: none

Out: none

Team news

Andres Iniesta

The midfielder was taken off in the second half of Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club, but although he missed training on Tuesday, he insisted: "Not playing on Saturday has never crossed my mind." Should Barcelona triumph, the 31-year-old will join Clarence Seedorf as the only player to have won the Uefa Champions League four times.

Luis Suárez

The Uruguayan missed Barcelona's final two league matches with a hamstring problem but returned to the starting line-up for the Copa del Rey final and played 78 minutes before being replaced by Pedro Rodríguez, providing the assist for Neymar's goal. He is in line to play in his first European final.

Xavi Hernández

After 17 years, the midfield metronome is hoping his final outing for Barcelona before he joins al-Sadd SC in Qatar will bring him a 25th piece of silverware with the club. "This one is special because it's my last game for Barcelona," he said. "I want to lift that trophy and dedicate it to all of Barcelona."

Ivan Rakitic

Man of the match as Sevilla FC won the 2014 Uefa Europa League final, this is the Croatian's first Uefa Champions League decider. "I played in a European final last year, but this is different," he said. "I will try to not think too much about it and try to prepare as well as possible."

Lionel Messi

The Argentinian has played all but 23 minutes of Barcelona's Uefa Champions League campaign and if he scores in Berlin he will become the first player to find the net in three Uefa Champions League finals, having registered in the 2009 and 2011 wins against Manchester United FC.

Midfield Key To Barca's Dream - Enrique

If Barcelona and their superstar Lionel Messi are to make Champions League history later on Saturday they have to win the midfield battle with their Juventus counterparts in the final according to Barca coach Luis Enrique.

Messi can become the first player to score in three Champions League finals after Barcelona's 2009 treble – when they swept the league, Cup and Champions League titles – and 2011 triumph.

Barcelona can also become the first side to pull off the treble twice, winning their domestic league and Cup as well as the Champions League.

Barca's star-studded attack of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez has amassed 120 goals between them this season and should give a Juventus defence, shorn of the experienced Giorgio Chiellini through injury, a thorough examination at Berlin's Olympic Stadium in front of an expected capacity crowd of just over 74 000.

Enrique cautioned his star attack will only thrive if the likes of veteran duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez – like Messi both looking for their fourth Champions League title – and Croatian Ivan Rakitic control the midfield.

But Juve's silky-skilled playmaker Andrea Pirlo – like Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon a World Cup winner in 2006 at the same stadium – France's Paul Pogba and Chile's Arturo Vidal ensure the Italians will have a powerful midfield presence.

"We are aware that our forwards capture all the attention. Firstly, because we have the best player in the world in Leo (Messi), but to be here we need to have a full team," said Enrique, who can round off his first season with the treble.

"It is not fair just to talk about Messi, he is the best, but the games are played as a team.

"I hope to see the best of my team. We have prepared as a team and we hope to see all the players at their best.

"Everyone is needed. The team has functioned marvellously, that is why we are playing for the treble, but we'll need to be strong in midfield.

"The world of football expects a great final between two teams that will go out to win. It would be nice to see an open and fun game."

Scorching daytime temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius are expected in Germany's capital to turn up the heat on the clash between Europe's top two teams.

Barcelona start as favourites, but many neutrals here hope Juventus will pull off a shock win to claim the first treble in their history.

"I predict Barcelona will win," said Germany's World Cup-winning coach Joachim Loew.

"Juve are a very strong and a persistent team, with a good record against Barca, but I've seen the Catalan giants twice recently and in the end I think they will come out on top."

Both sides have already captured their domestic league and cup titles and Buffon insists the Italian champions are not here just to make up the numbers.

The Italian champions have a wealth of experience and enjoyed success in the Champions League.

Pirlo won in 2003 and 2007 with AC Milan, Patrice Evra and Carlos Tevez with Manchester United in 2008 and Alvaro Morata last year with Real Madrid.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says it is up to the present Barca team to prove they deserve to be considered one of the greatest sides in the world.

"We have Leo, Luis, Neymar and Andres, we have one of the best teams in the history of the club," said the 28-year-old Pique, who like Messi, is seeking to win his third Champions League trophy.

"Now we have to prove we are one of the best teams in the world and we're ready to do that."

Barcelona Have Faced Nothing Like Juventus - Lippi

Juventus' 1996 Champions League-winning coach Marcello Lippi believes the Bianconeri will present Barcelona with their toughest tactical proposition in some time when the two sides meet in the 2015 final in Berlin on Saturday.

Lippi, who also led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, has told Goal that the Serie A champions have qualities that Barca have yet to face under Luis Enrique, making them something of an unknown quantity to the Catalans.

"These are the best two teams in Europe this season, but when a team gets to this point in a continental competition there are no certainties," explained Lippi. "In my opinion, Luis Enrique and his side have not faced a team so compact, sturdy and so willing to defend as Juventus.

"But the Bianconeri also know how to counter-attack with speed when they regain possession, and this could be a factor in how the game turns out. Barcelona are favourites, of course, but I don't think it will be as easy for them as many seem to think.

"The Catalans have Martians in their attack in Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, and that will make life very complicated for Allegri. But Juve are organised and tough, and we mustn't forget that Buffon is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I expect a more balanced game than most seem to think it will be."

The 67-year-old added that he sees something in this Juve side that he has seen somewhere before.

"This Juve is growing similarly to my side back in the 1990s, first in Italy and then in Europe. Perhaps before long they will find themselves winning the Club World Cup just as we won the Intercontinental Cup in 1996. I would be delighted if Allegri were to win the trophy. I am not envious as they are all feelings I experienced and they are intoxicating."

And Lippi agrees that Juve have shown a flexibility in their Champions League campaign which bodes well ahead of the final.

"I have no doubt about it, just look at the things we've seen from this side. In Dortmund, for example, Juventus really took the initiative, showing superiority and a real awareness of their potential. Then against Madrid they got on top in the home leg, and while they were forced to suffer a little in the return that is normal for any side at the Bernabeu. They could even have won that game when you consider some of the chances they created.

"After three league titles, Allegri has come in and really added something. He has removed any anxieties from the squad and they have grown tactically. They now play in two different shapes without any transitional issues. This I how huge teams function.

"Luis Enrique has had a similar impact at Barcelona, and has got the best out of Suarez, Neymar and Messi while at the same time they recognise that he is the leader. We all know how the Blaugrana play, the way they use the ball so well and are hard to break down, but they have never faced a team like Juventus, who are so willing to defend so Messi and company will find it difficult

"Juve, though, must believe in themselves and take advantage of Barca's weaknesses. They must not be in awe of the opposition, and remember that all of the pressure is on Barcelona. I expect Juve to be tactically astute, and in 90 minutes anything can happen."

The former Napoli and Inter boss, who had two separate spells in charge of both Juve and the Italian national side, insists there is no set way to prepare for a final.

"Everyone has their own way to prepare for such an event. The important thing is to be focused on the goal, on the field. In a final you have to expect that there will be slight deviations to the general rules, but the only important thing is the result."

Pedro Extends Barca Stay

Spanish international forward Pedro Rodriguez has extended his contract with Barcelona until 2019 despite being pushed into a fringe role over the past season.

"We have struck a deal with Pedro Rodriguez to extend his contract until June 2019," Barcelona said in a statement.

His previous deal had a year to run and the man who has slipped down the Barcelona pecking order since the arrivals of Neymar and Luis Suarez was thought to be considering his options.

The 27-year-old won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain, for whom he has 50 caps, but started just 22 games for Barcelona this season, scoring eleven goals.

Pedro came through the Barcelona youth system and was brought into the first team by Pep Guardiola with his breakthrough year being 2010.