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Barcelona v Juventus: How the teams compare

We take an in-depth look at how Barcelona and Juventus compare before their final meeting in Berlin.

Barcelona v Juventus
Barcelona v Juventus

Barcelona
Likely formation: 4-3-3

Marc-André ter Stegen

Dani Alves, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba

Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic

Neymar, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi

Juventus
Likely formation: 4-3-1-2

Gianluigi Buffon

Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Patrica Evra

Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo. Paul Pogba

Arturo Vidal

Alvaro Morata, Carlos Tevez

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Marc-André ter Stegen v Gianluigi Buffon

Ter Stegen was signed from Borussia Monchengladbach for around 12 million Euros last year. It remains debatable how much work Ter Stegen gets through during your average deomestic cup match -Claudio Bravo is the favoured keeper for Liga - at the Camp Nou, but the young German goalkeeper has proved to a safe pair of hands. Like Victor Valdes in the Barca goal before him, he is noted for his comfort with the ball at his feet. Made a couple of vital stops in Barcelona's 3-2 away defeat to Bayern Munich in the second leg of their 5-3 aggregate win in the last four.

The man opposite needs no introduction. Gianluigi Buffon remains the world's most expensive goalkeeper after he joined Juve from Parma for £32 million in 2001. And is looking to claim the Champions League to complete a set of trophies that includes the World Cup with Italy. Will have a vital role to play if Juventus can nose ahead at any point..

Ter Stegen 7 Buffon 9

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Jordi Alba v Patrice Evra

Alba is an attacking wing-back rather than a full-back. Some will say he is more like a traditional winger. Will look to support Barcelona's attacking moves as much as possible - expect to see Alba hovering in or around the opposition box for much of the match.

The Juventus left-back is more a traditional. Evra is a player who seems to have enjoyed a new lease of life in Turin since leaving Manchester United. Scored a stunning goal for United against Bayern in the Champions League last eight last season, and has continue his good work this term.

Jordi Alba 8 Evra 8

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Javier Mascherano v Andrea Barzagli

Not much between these two haggard characters. No-nonsense figures who epitomise real professionalism, and a willingness to do the less glamorous tasks asked of them. It's a shame that we won't get to see the fascinating confrontation between Giorgio Chiellini and Luis Suarez, Chiellini being injured and therefore avoiding a first get-together since the infamous biting incident at last year's World Cup. But at least we will get to study the duel between Mascherano and his fellow Argentine Carlo Tevez.

Mascherano 8 Barzagli 7

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Gerard Pique v Leonardo Bonucci

Pique once played for Manchester United, but seems to have been turning out for Barcelona forever. Like most of the Barca side, likes to get forward as much as he can to support his companions. Pique could retire now having won it all in football including the Champions League, World Cup and European Championship.

Bonucci has been one of Juventus' most reliable figures in defence this season. Is certain to start the match if fit with coach Massimiliano Allegri viewing Bonucci as a vital component of this Juve side. “I am happy in any system and try to put myself to the service of the team. Obviously with three I can read the situations better, but I have shown over the years I can do well with four too.”

Pique 8 Bonucci 7

Barcelona's Gerard Pique celebrates after scoring
Barcelona's Gerard Pique celebrates after scoring

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Dani Alves v Stephan Lichtsteiner

This could well be the end for Alves at Barcelona. If it is, what a way to go. Has yet to sign a new deal with Barcelona, and has been linked with a move to Manchester United. A potent attacking threat from the right-back area, Alves has also got his hair chopped ahead of this final having turned out with an odd looking weave in the Copa del Rey final.

Swiss right-back Lichsteiner claimed in January he rejected the chance to move to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. "We want to win everything we can," he said five months ago. "Obviously the Champions League is the big dream, and this prompted me to renew (my contract)." Can sometimes lose his temper and be guilty of giving away silly fouls, but nobody can question his desire. Is a true warrior.

Alves 8 Lichtsteiner 8

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Sergio Busquets v Claudio Marchisio

Sergio Busquets is viewed as a bit of a hard man in the Barca midfield, but this tends to do his ability as a ball player a disservice. Xavi departs Barca for Qatar at the end of the season, but he has already placed his faith in Busquets to be a natural successor. Is noted for keeping the ball, and provides cover for the defence while prompting some of Barcelona's attacking moves.

Marchisio has been linked with a move to Manchester United several times, but has stuck with his childhood club. Marchisio first went to a Juventus match at the age of three, and has been playing his football at the club since the age of six.

Busquets 8 Marchisio 8

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Andres Iniesta v Andrea Pirlo

The joy about the Champions League is seeing blokes like these two caressing the football. Iniesta with his constant pushing and probing of the football, Pirlo with his natural ability to find space when there seems none while arrowing free-kicks at the opposition goal. Iniesta is still only 31 and is one of the most technically gifted players in the world with a voracious appetite for work. 

Iniesta has it all in his locker, but then Pirlo is hardly a poor relation. Liverpool are apparently keen on bringing Pirlo to Anfield this summer. Pirlo's effortless style makes him highly attractive to watch. His range of passing and fitness levels have helped Juventus win four straight Serie A titles since 2011.

Iniesta 9 Pirlo 9

Andrea Pirlo wants to be European champion this year
Andrea Pirlo wants to be European champion this year

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Ivan Rakitic v Paul Pogba

It says enough about the Croatia midfielder Rakitic that Barcelona have hardly missed Cesc Fabregas since he departed the club last summer. Rakitic provides Barcelona with options. He can play deep in front of the defence or support the attack. Helped Sevilla win the Europa League last year, and is on course for a unique double with Barcelona this season.

Pogba is the most hyped midfielder in the world. If the Champions League is a shop window, France midfielder Pogba is well and truly in the middle of it. A dynamic box-to-box midfielder blessed with incredible technique who is full of running, some reports claim Pogba Could fetch £100 million on the open market. That valuation would be boosted if Juventus slay Barca in Berlin.

Rakitic 7 Pogba 8

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Lionel Messi v Arturo Vidal

Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer on the planet at the moment. Some will say he is the greatest of all-time. If Juventus fails to find a reliable method to nullify him, they will suffer a sore evening in Berlin. Is there a way to stop him? Perhaps the best way is to focus on what you are going to do rather than constantly fret over Messi's whereabouts.

Arturo Vidal is a fine player with real energy and directness in the final third of the park, but is no Messi. But then again who is?

Messi 10 Vidal 8

Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi

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Neymar v Alvaro Morata

Neymar is having an outrageously good season with 38 goals. Yet at Barcelona he is the main support act to Messi, who reaches this final on 58 goals. That is not a criticism of the Brazilian forward, but comes with the territory of arguably being the greatest forward line in the history of the sport. The stats tell it all.

Alvaro Morata is the former Real Madrid player who scored in both legs to help oust Madrid in the last four. Like Pirlo, has been linked with a move to Liverpool. He didn't celebrate his goal against Madrid. You can be sure he would revel if he scored against their great rivals Barcelona.

Neymar 9 Morata 8

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Luis Suarez v Carlos Tevez

Despite missing the first two months of the season, Suarez has helped himself to 24 goals as part of MSN. If Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best two strikers in the world, there is a case to be made for Suarez being the third. Or perhaps you would opt for Neymar. Who knows? What is not up for debate is the class and intelligence of Suarez. And the level of threat he brings to Juventus. Suarez has actually appeared to help Messi and Neymar improve, which is no small feat.

Carlos Tevez has been a real force for Juventus in their run to the Champions League. Like Suarez, Tevez is best when focusing on his football. Juventus handed over £12 million to land Tevez from City two seasons ago. It looks like a bargain. Gone are the days of golfing holidays at City. Tevez is settled in Turin, and Juventus are reaping the considerable benefits. Has scored 29 goals in all competitions for Juve, seven arriving during their run to the final. He is 7/1 to be the first goalscorer in the final.

Suarez 10 Tevez 9

Juventus' Carlos Tevez celebrates scoring
Juventus' Carlos Tevez celebrates scoring

Final scores out of 110

 BARCELONA 92       -        JUVENTUS 89