The 2015 Champions League final may well turn into a farce.There is absolutely no way that Barcelona can lose this match against a second rated Italian team in Juventus.
Of course, the many new Juventus fans in T&T may be upset to believe this or to even read this, but the reality is that no one in their right mind can expect Juventus (The Old Lady) to win this final.
In fact, apart from their diehard fans, such as Jason and Arcwell, I cannot think of any others who believed they would reach the finals on Saturday June 6, in Berlin.
And yes, we all know that sport is unpredictable and that it is a one off game and anything can happen, and that Juventus can score a lucky goal and hold on to the end, but the reality is certainly much different.
Barcelona, if at their best with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in tandem will destroy Juventus and the match could turn into an embarrassment, with a 4-0 to 5-0 score line. Anything less will be success for Juventus. In fact, if you review their victories, their goal scoring has been limited and a positive result for Juventus will depend on Carlos Tevez, the enigmatic Argentine forward.
Mind you, it is not Juve's fault that they have reached the finals. They did what was required of them. Their style of defensive, gritty football, is not football in the beautiful style which purists like myself love to see. Instead, it will be a game for Juventus built on technical ability and awareness. Unfortunately even so, I expect them to falter, given the clinical nature and form of this current Barcelona outfit.
My understanding is that most Barcelona fans, and there are thousands in T&T, are already planning celebratory parties.
Even the bookmakers in London who are normally very conservative are supporting Juventus to win at 9-4 , which is quite good in a two-race final while Barcelona at 1-9 which is not good betting odds at all.
Many have asked why no English team is in the finals or even the semis or quarters. What is clear is that when Chelsea–with their less than provocative style of football–can win the English Premiership, it cannot be good for the brand of the game in ENGLAND.
It is now for the other leading clubs in England to regroup and make the necessary changes, so that they can challenge for the title in England and secondly for Champions League success. One expects clubs such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs and Liverpool to make sound investments for the next season if they want to be competitive.
The best players in the world all want to play Champions League football, so it is no surprise that several teams struggle to attract the elite footballers when they fail to qualify for this tournament.
So onwards to the finals. Juventus fans who are still reading this article and seething with rage, will want everyone to know that names such as Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba must not be underestimated and they have the class to worry Barcelona.
The Juve player who may have the greatest impact could be veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who will need to rekindle his days of supreme goalkeeping to stop the Barcelona machine.
Therefore, as fans come together for the battle in Berlin, there will be many neutrals like myself who will want an entertaining match, a game that keeps you interested and is competitive. Somehow I do not believe this would happen, even though I watched carefully when Juventus were quoted by the Bookmakers at 9-1 to lift the trophy, at the semifinal strange and found that enticing.
So enjoy the football. I know that thousands of you will be heading to the savannah for the Heineken party. Note I didn't say to watch the match. I expect the atmosphere to be electrifying, and the promotions between Heineken, who have been associated with Champions League football for ten years, and The Fan Club, where original is the name of the game in clothing and other footballing accessories, is certain to make the occasion more appetising. A Lionel Messi personalised jersey, signed by the man himself, is one of the prizes for someone who predicts the correct result. What a wonderful gift for the fans, thanks to Heineken and The Fan Club, who will also be sponsoring four other prizes. Incidentally both Mario and Mikhail Singh, who own The Fan Club are Barcelona supporters. They must be in their glee. They understand football, unlike their dad, Valentino, a Manchester United diehard (sob).
Whatever the outcome, predictable victory for Barcelona, or scratchy win for Juve, it is congratulations to both teams, their management and their supporters for making each other happy.
In a world filled with politics, strife, disaster and turmoil, it takes an occasion as such to give some meaning to life. Isn't sport a great facilitator?