Juventus v Barcelona: former winners' predictions

Dejan Stanković, FC Internazionale Milano (2010)
It will be a great final and I don't think that Barcelona will have it easy. I expect a very tactical, hard-fought game. I don't think there will be many goals but I'm sure it will be a great show.

Zinédine Zidane, Real Madrid CF (2002)
Everyone says Barcelona are the favourites, but you know, you must never underestimate Italian teams. Another very interesting fact about this final is that either team would complete a wonderful season by winning it, because they would do the treble, be it Barcelona or Juventus. Of course, I will be cheering for Juventus tomorrow.

Marco van Basten, AC Milan (1989 & 1990)
OK, I'll make my prediction: I think it will be 2-2 after extra time, then Juventus will win on penalties. And I am not saying this only because I feel half Italian!

Fabio Capello, AC Milan coach (1994)
Chances are 50-50 in UEFA Champions League finals. Juventus's advantage is their very good defensive play even if [Andrea] Barzagli is not fit enough to start. Barcelona are more skilful, they look stronger on paper, but they still should be beware of Juventus counterattacks.

Zvonimir Boban, AC Milan (1994)
Many people think that Barcelona are clear favourites, but I don't agree with that. Juventus knocked out Real Madrid in the semi-final, so anything is possible in the final.

Ronald Koeman, PSV Eindhoven (1988) and FC Barcelona (1992)
Barça often have problems against Italian sides. In 1994 I played in the Dream Team under Johan Cruyff. We were very strong at the time, but were beaten 4-0 in the Athens final by AC Milan. Barcelona still have trouble with the compact, aggressive manner of defending from Italian sides. Juventus understand the art of defending like no other. If Juventus give them any space, though, that will be punished.

Marcello Lippi, Juventus coach (1996)
I'm not good at predictions, but I'd say that Juve have a one-in-three chance of winning, which is not bad. There are too many coincidences. There has to be a happy ending.

Vítor Baía, FC Porto (2004)
[If Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri lines up with three central defenders, Barcelona] will massacre them.

Deco, FC Porto (2004) and FC Barcelona (2006)
[Predicting 2-0 to Barcelona] Juventus will be happy to defend for the 90 minutes. Barça need to have the ball as long as possible and be careful of their counterattacks. If they play as they have been and keep the ball, they'll win.

Mark van Bommel, FC Barcelona (2006)
Barcelona are the favourites, obviously. They play very nice and beautiful football. They’ve done so for a few years. It was a bit less last year, but now they found their way again. Barcelona 2-1 Juventus.

Éric Abidal, FC Barcelona (2009 & 2011)
These sides haven't played each other a lot in the recent past, and that's what makes this game even more interesting. I think there is an obvious favourite for this one, and I'm drawing on my own experience of having played in finals when I say that I think it's Barça. Juventus 1-3 Barcelona.

Christian Karembeu, Real Madrid CF (1998 & 2000)
Of course I think that Barça are the favourites in the final, because recently they have gotten used to playing in finals and winning titles. They have three weapons: Neymar, Messi and Suárez.

Michael Laudrup, FC Barcelona (1992)
My favourite is Barcelona, because they have more resources. Messi is a class apart, but even if Juventus manage to stop him, then Neymar and Suárez will be ready to decide the final. Stopping those three over 90 minutes is almost impossible.

Cafu, AC Milan (2007)
It's very difficult to hold out, but you can hope for anyhthing with Juventus. I think that Barcelona will end up breaking the barrier down. The result is going to be Barcelona 3-1 Juventus.

Robert Prosinečki, FK Crvena zvezda (1991)
Juventus are not without a chance, but Barcelona have the best player who ever walked the earth. When you see Messi you realise that we have never seen anything like it before and no one in the near future will see football like it again.

Franz Beckenbauer, FC Bayern München (1974, 1975, 1976)
With Messi, Barcelona have the advantage. I predict a close victory for Barcelona.

What is your prediction? Let us know below.