Massimiliano Allegri's side started the strongest, looking organised from back to front, with record signing Gonzalo Higuain stinging Keylor Navas's palms and the star studded defence of Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini keeping Madrid's attackers in particular Cristiano Ronaldo quiet. For all of 20 minutes anyway. A beautifully worked moved by the holders saw Ronaldo combine with full back Dani Carvajal, who pulled the ball back into the perfect position for CR7 to strike into the bottom left hand corner. A slight deflection off of Bonucci made it even more difficult for Gigi Buffon to react to and against the run of play Real were ahead. 1-0.
However the Italian champions didn't let going behind phase them and were instantly back on the attack. Miralem Pjanic came very close to drawing level after his well hit shot was superbly saved by the Madrid stopped Navas, causing the commentators to comment on Real's link to Manchester United number 1 David De Gea and asking the question, 'Do they really need him?' And right on cue the 'curse of the commentator' had another victim. Alex Sandro swung the ball in from the left and it was cushioned into the bath of Mario Mandzukic who managed to control and score a breathtaking overhead kick from just inside the box, over the goal keeper and into the net! Taking nothing away from the finish you have to question the goalkeeping at play here, but a world class goal non the less. 1-1.
And that was how the first half ended, the literal definition of an end to end game, we had a potential classic on our hands. Now, remember when I said 'game of two halves?' Well...
Zinedine Zidane's team talk at half time must have made it's impact as his side came out all guns blazing in the second half. Unlike the first half there appeared to be a lot of space among the Old Lady's defence and it took 15 minutes for Real to retake the lead. A massively deflected effort from Casemiro, who had managed to mark Paulo Dybala out of the game up until this point, crept past Buffon and into the corner, 2-1.
Europe's most successful club just grew and grew in confidence and Juventus's fabled defence looked shook and out of place, which lead to the one man they'd of hoped stayed quiet getting in on the act once again. Again a sweeping move from back to front saw Luka Modric making a run inside of Alex Sandro before pulling the ball into the six yard box and perfectly into the path of Cristiano Ronaldo who made no mistake and dispatched the chance with customary ease. The quality in run made by Modric for this goal cannot be over looked as he spotted a gap in the defence and provided the movement which created the opportunity, latching onto another impressive ball by Dani Carvajal (who managed to outplay the three other highly rated full backs on show on the night) before playing an inch perfect ball towards the near post for Ronaldo to score. Two goals in three minutes had driven the wind out of the Italians. 3-1.
After the third goal went in we didn't see too much in terms of chances for either side for 20 minutes, Juventus switched to a more traditional back four and managed to compete in midfield for the first time in the half, but they appeared to be running on empty. A collection of misplaced passes and half arsed runs pretty much demonstrated Juve's performance in the second half. I've already mentioned Dybala being marked out of the game up until this point and that continued, with the Argentinian looking disinterested and frustrated. Also Dybala's countryman Higuain continues his run of failing to perform in the big games. After a very impressive season coming into the final the striker failed to make any sort of impact, in a game where Juve needed an outlet Gonzalo failed to provide anything. And then we get to the one sour point of the game. A ball was played down Real's left for Cuadrado to chase but Sergio Ramos, who had been hugely impressive all night, made a perfect tackle to send the ball out for a throw in. However when the Juventus winger went to rush to the ball to take the throw in quickly Ramos dropped to the floor and proceeded to roll around acting as if Cuadrado had stamped on his ankle. The replay shows the smallest of contact between the two players, a contact so small that the camera doesn't initially pick it up, instead focusing on the Colombian Cuadrado pushing past Ramos to get the ball. The linesman who is standing inches away from the incident does nothing to help the referee who sees Ramos's play acting and sends Cuadrado off for a second bookable offence, which was followed by the Madrid captain rising to his feet instantly to gesture 'off' to his opponent. Respect to the Juventus player who leaves the pitch immediately when many would have continued to argue with the officials and the players, but the team that were trailing were now down to ten men.
Playing with a man advantage made the end to this game is easier for Madrid, and they added to their advantage in stoppage time when Marcelo broke down the left with ease and much like two of Real's previous goals, cut the ball back into the danger area for substitute Marco Asensio to finish with his left into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The reaction of the Juventus side tells the whole picture, as Asensio wheels off in celebration they collapse, exhausted and out of ideas. 4-1.
The final whistle blew and a stark contrast can be seen between the two sides on show. For the champions, celebrations can officially begin. Cristiano Ronaldo dropped to his knees and screamed up at the heavens, in the process of winning his fourth Champions League winners medal he becomes the first player in the history of the UEFA Champions League to score in three finals. Gianluigi Buffon however appeared visibly distraught, this is probably the last opportunity for the the veteran Italian goalkeeper to win the trophy that has eluded him his entire career. The 39 year old however showed his class as he congratulated the winners one by one, a true legend and he deserves to be remembered both as a world class goalkeeper but also as a world class human being. Special mention has to go to the scorer of Madrid's second goal, Casemiro. He may not have known much about his goal but his performance from start to finish was stand out. The task of marking Dybala was one not many could handle, but the Brazilian midfielder made it look easy and provided the solid foundations needed for Madrid's win and particularly their excellent second half performance.
Real Madrid become the first side since AC Milan in 1990 to retain the European cup and the first since the Champions League era began, and Zinedine Zidane continues to make management look as easy as he made football look, winning his second Champions League in his second year as Real Madrid manager. Easy. The decision to start Isco over Garath Bale may have appeared obvious, with the Spanish play maker in form and Bale carrying a calf injury coming into the preporations for the final. But with the reported pressure from the board and the draw of starting Bale in his home country looming over Zidane's head he managed to pull through and make a big statement in the process. A statement that was justified as Isco was again, world class and Bale off the bench had the legs to cause the opposition defence nightmares. Allegri's management all season has been nothing short of perfect but it appeared to be just one game and one team too far for his side. The switch in system midway through the second half came way too late, when it was obvious Real were dominating far too easily in midfield the change was needed and it ultimately cost them. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I'm certain Juventus will come back next season just as strong... before losing in the final again for what will then be the 8th time.
As Sergio Ramos lifted the famous trophy into the Welsh night sky it became even clearer that this Real Madrid side, although not as pleasing on the eye as the 2011 Barcelona or the 1970 Brazilian side or simply as good as the 1950's Real Madrid side which won 5 out of the first 5 European cups. This group of players, this team is one of the best we have seen in quite some time and you have the wonder what is next? We'll have to wait and find out, but as of this moment in time no side have ever won the Champions League three times in a row, who where the first side to ever be crowned European champions three times in a row? Los Blancos.
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