Juventus Should Remain Proud Despite Champions League Final Loss to Barcelona

Juventus knew that, from the moment they secured their place in the Champions League final, they would be seen as huge underdogs against Luis Enrique’s free-scoring Barcelona.

The Bianconeri may enjoy unrivalled dominance in Serie A but were fully aware they remained some way short of Europe’s very best side. Yet the confidence of the Turin giants was boosted by their win over Real Madrid in the semi-finals, and they headed to Berlin determined to give a good account of themselves.

“We started out with the important aim of getting into Europe’s top eight. We’ve gone beyond that and are in the final two. Now we’ll look to finish first,” coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters this week, per his club’s official website.

“We mustn’t think about how to stop Barcelona, but instead how to build the play ourselves, because it’s unlikely the game will finish goalless,” he added, which was an apt point considering Juve’s hopes of holding off Barcelona were dented severely by the loss of Giorgio Chiellini to injury just a few days earlier.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Allegri’s analysis was proved correct within four minutes, as Andres Iniesta ran unchecked into the box and linked up with Jordi Alba. The Barcelona skipper then slipped a superb pass to Ivan Rakitic, and the Croatian side-footed past a helpless Gigi Buffon to hand his side the lead.

Arturo Vidal had a chance to equalise but blazed his shot over the bar and lost his head from there. Lunging into a string of ill-advised challenges, the Chilean—the first man from his nation to play in a Champions League final—eventually received a yellow card for a foul on Neymar.

Buffon made an excellent stop from Dani Alves moments later, and the Catalan side were unfortunate not to take a greater advantage into the half-time interval. 

The Juventus captain made another excellent stop after the break from Luis Suarez, and then Lionel Messi missed under pressure from Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Then, just when the Spanish champions seemed set to be runaway winners, the Bianconeri came storming back into the match. A neat backheel from Claudio Marchisio sent Lichtsteiner away down the right, the Swiss full-back finding Carlos Tevez with a neat pass of his own.

The Argentinian—so key throughout the campaign for La Madama—fired in a shot, which Marc-Andre ter Stegen could only parry. Alvaro Morata reacted quickest, tapping in the rebound to net his fifth goal in his last seven Champions League games, the former Real Madrid star enjoying his strike to the fullest.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

For the next few minutes, Juventus stood toe-to-toe with Barcelona, showing that they once again belong among the European elite. While their opponents would net twice more to win the game, the Italian giants should reflect on that period, proudly seeing themselves as worthy of a place in the continent’s most prestigious fixture.

While much has been made of their poor record in European Cup finals—winning just twice in eight appearances—reaching this stage is an accomplishment in itself. It will take time for the pain of defeat to ease, but Allegri and his players should enjoy what has undoubtedly been a remarkable campaign.

Now attention will move to continuing their good work, and Morata perhaps summed up the situation best at the final whistle. Speaking to Sky Italia immediately after the game, the Spanish striker said (h/t Football Italia): "This is a great squad, a great family and we must continue working hard. This team has no limits, it can win the Champions League and the directors are working to build an even stronger side."

With the likes of Paulo Dybala already signed for next term, the Old Lady—winner of the last four Serie A titles—will certainly look to do just that.