Juventus vs Barcelona - Champions League final combined XI
Juventus take on Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final in Berlin on Saturday in a game that will be filled with some of the finest players in Europe. But the question is, who would make it into a combined XI featuring the very best from both sides? While there are certain players, like Andrea Pirlo and Lionel Messi who pick themselves, who would make up the rest of the combined XI?
NOTE: Only players who are available for the final have been considered. So unfortunately Giorgio Chiellini, who would have been a certain starter otherwise misses out. Formation: 4-3-3.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
Despite his brilliant performance at the Allianz Arena to secure Barcelona's place in the final, Marc-Andre ter Stegen loses out to Gianluigi Buffon. The German shot stopper, 14 years younger to Buffon, has been outstanding in the Champions League. But the Italian keeper's experience in major finals and his ability to command his box even at the age of 37 gets him the nod.
Almost a decade ago, the Italian's heroics in Berlin, in the final of a major tournament that saw his side clinch the trophy. That was the World Cup with Italy and Juventus will be counting on Buffon to repeat his heroics and stop Barcelona's attacking trio from increasing their incredible goal tally this season. In a glittering career that has been littered with silverware, the Champions League is still missing and that is one thing he will be desperate to change when he steps out on Saturday.
Right Back: Dani Alves
This defence has the perfect blend of experience and youthful energy. If Chiellini had been fit, it would have been two defenders apiece from both sides, but his injury means that three Barca players make it into the defence.
Brazilian full back Dani Alves has more assists than anyone bar Messi among both sides and is having a fantastic season for the Catalans. Unfortunately, it looks as though the game against Juve might be his last with plenty of rumours linking him with a move away from the club. If the 32-year-old is to move away from the club, it will be their loss as the Brazilian continues to provide a unique blend of attack and defence. While he isn't as quick as he used to be, his ability to consistently make overlapping runs and provide width on the right flank means that he takes his place at right back, ahead of Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Centre Backs: Leonardo Bonucci – Javier Mascherano
In the heart of the defence is Leonardo Bonucci and Javier Mascherano. While the former is a typical old-school Italian defender, the latter has been converted into one, thanks to a combination of injury problems and lack of alternatives at the back.
Aside from perhaps his teammate Chiellini, Bonucci has been one of the outstanding centre backs in the Champions League this season. The 28-year-old has been flawless throughout the campaign. One of the reasons why Juventus are so difficult to break down is because of Bonucci’s ability to not just anticipate the threat but also eliminate it at the source.
Tenacious in the tackle, brilliant in the air and exceptional at reading the game and making timely interceptions, the he is one of the best defenders in the world at the moment and there is no doubt that he deserves his place in this line-up.
While there were many who ridiculed Roy Hodgson when he picked Javier Mascherano as his choice for the Ballon d'Or ahead of Messi and Ronaldo, there was plenty of uproar from the British media. But the last 12 months have shown just why Hodgson was well within his right to pick the Argentine. Although a defensive midfielder by trade, Mascherano has played large parts of this season as a central defender.
The Argentine has managed the switch to being a defender with such ease that you would be forgiven for thinking whether that should have been his place all along. Despite being neither the quickest nor the biggest player, two important qualities for a centre back, the 30-year-old's ability to sense danger and dig his side out of trouble means that he joins Bonucci in central defence.
Left Back: Jordi Alba
Arguably the most difficult decision so far, Jordi Alba gets the nod over Patrice Evra. While the Frenchman has enjoyed an Indian summer ever since moving to Turin, when most thought that he was finished, his lack of pace means that Alba, the younger man, who has more than a striking resemblance to Evra in the way he plays, takes the left back slot.
Ever since moving from Valencia, Alba has made the utmost of the one quality he possesses that all defenders hate – pace. Whether it is going forward, being an outlet for the midfielders in the attacking third, or recovering brilliantly to close down any space the opposing attacker has, the Spaniard has made the most of his pace and used it to his advantage. That isn't to take anything away from his all-round capabilities, which is another reason why he is in this side ahead of the Frenchman.