Barcelona win their fourth Champions League title in ten years.
After an early goal, and a dominant display in the first half, it looked like Barcelona would coast to victory, but Juventus rallied to equalise through Alvaro Morata. The Italian champions then suffered something of a sucker punch from Luis Suarez’s goal and Neymar’s goal at the death was just cruel on Juve.
Andrea Pirlo and Xavi played their final games at the top level of football in Europe, and neither could roll back the years and put in a vintage performance. Andreas Iniesta did though and was excellent throughout as his side won 3-1, breaking from midfield to set-up his sides opener,
Lionel Messi didn’t provide his customary goal, but was central to a deserved, if hard earned, win and the final part of their treble.
Here’s how we rated the players:
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon – 7
The veteran saved his side a number of times, pulling off an incredible first-half stop from Alves’ effort, and was quick off his line anticipating danger. However, he was at fault for Suarez’s goal, parrying Messi’s shot into the Uruguayan’s path.
Stephan Lichtsteiner – 5
Only Stephan Lichtsteiner can tell you what he was doing for Barcelona’s opener. The defender appeared to be hiding behind Barzagli, who went to close Neymar down, and the Swiss right-back failed to cover the space Iniesta floated into. Neymar and Alba kept Lichtsteiner pegged back, but he failed to offer his side much needed width.
Andrea Barzagli – 7
Giorgio Chiellini’s late replacement looked the steadiest of Juventus’ defenders. The Italian was dragged out of position for Barcelona’s first goal, but was solid afterwards, winning most of his challenges and helping to keep the scoreline respectable.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6
The Italian was overworked throughout.
Patrice Evra – 5
If you were watching Sky Sports coverage you’ll have seen Gary Neville explain how Patrice Evra kept Lionel Messi quiet over 180 minutes of a Champions League semi-final. That was eight years ago, tonight the 34 year old Frenchman struggled against Messi, and switched off as Suarez scored from Messi’s parried shot.
He did roll back the years late in the game with an incredible tackle.
Claudio Marchisio – 7
Worked hard, comfortable in possession and created a number of chances for his team-mates. Marchisio is the least famous of the Juventus midfield quartet, but he put in the best performance tonight.
Andrea Pirlo – 5
The great man was wearing the wrong jersey. Watching Pirlo do a graveyard shift in Juventus’ overworked midfield felt wrong.
Paul Pogba – 5
He may be reportedly valued at €100, but the French midfielder struggled in the first-half. Pogba was overworked, wasteful when in possession and didn’t really improve in the second half.
Arturo Vidal – 4
The midfielder lost Iniesta for Barcelona’s opener, got booked and was nutmegged by Dani Alves. And that was just the opening 20 minutes. Vidal resembled a South American Lee Cattermole at times, it’s fair to say he’s had better games.
Carlos Tevez – 5
Starved of any service for the majority of the game, but the Argentine’s effort led to Juventus’ equaliser.
Álvaro Morata – 7
The ball landed fortuitously for the former Real Madrid striker to score, but Morata deserved his goal, working hard throughout, showing flashes of skill and held up the ball well.
Substitutes:
Fernando Llorente –
Not enough time to rate.
Kingsley Coman –
Not enough time to rate.
Roberto Pereyra –
Not enough time to rate.
Barcelona
Marc-André ter Stegen – 6
Possibly the only goalkeeper in the world who’s highlight reel will feature passes and not saves. The German goalkeeper didn’t have much to do, but was comfortable in possession and helped start attacks. Not so good on crosses.
Dani Alves – 6
The archetypal Dani Alves performance, offered his side width, spent most of his time in the opposition half and had a terrible haircut.
HEAT MAP: Dani Alves is a defender, right? #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/PCjJx0i9lq
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 6, 2015
Gerard Pique – 6
Comfortable throughout the first half, the Spaniard allowed Tevez to spin off him and get a shot away in the box.
Javier Mascherano – 6
Displaying his usual dose of controlled aggression, Mascherano was, however, caught out for pace a couple of times by Juventus’ front pair and was suspect for the equaliser. Unfortunately, for the Italian champions, they couldn’t isolate the Argentine enough.
Jordi Alba – 7
A constant outlet down Barca’s left flank, Alba essentially played as a winger and was aided by Juventus’ tactics. The Italian champions played very narrow, with a midfield diamond, and both full-backs tucking inside, affording Alba plenty of space to attack. Played a part in Barcelona’s opener and linked up well with Neymar.
Sergio Busquets – 7
Excellent in the first-half, winning all his tackles, neat in possession and starting countless attacks.
Ivan Rakitić – 7
Opened the scoring after a well-worked goal, the Croatian blend of steel and skill compliments the other Barca midfielders perfectly and has proven to be an excellent signing.
16 – There were 16 passes in the build-up to Ivan Rakitic's opening goal tonight. Teamwork. pic.twitter.com/mGE1mQypWg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 6, 2015
Andreas Iniesta – 8
The Spaniard was excellent for Barcelona’s opener, timing his run from deep and playing a clever pass for the better positioned Rakitic to score. Iniesta hardly put a foot wrong, linked up well with Neymar and was, as always, brilliant in possession. A joy to watch.
38 – Andrés Iniesta has completed 38 of his 40 passes in the first half, more than any Juventus player. Lighthouse. pic.twitter.com/KxpVrCP7Im
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 6, 2015
Lionel Messi – 8
He didn’t light up the final with his usual dose of genius, but Messi was still pivotal to Barca’s win. His diagonal pass led to their opener and his shot led to Suarez’s winner.
Luis Suarez – 7
The former Liverpool forward was largely anonymous, but kept running and trying to stretch Juventus’ defence. Tested Buffon with an effort early in the second half, but probably should’ve shot across the Italian, or squared it to his better placed team-mates. However he was there to score and effectively win the game for Barca.
Neymar – 7
The forward helped set up Barcelona’s opener, playing a nice slide pass to Iniesta, but was guilty of being rushed, or wasteful, in possession at times during the first half. Done his best work when drifting inside and took his late goal well.
Substitutes:
Xavi –
Not enough time to rate, but a fitting end to a fantastic career.
Jeremy Mathieu –
Not enough time to rate.
Pedro Rodriguez –
Not enough time to rate.
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