Cardiff: When Cristiano Ronaldo runs onto the field at the Millennium Stadium, it will be with a freedom to fire.
In the Champions League era, which started in 1992-93, no team has ever managed to defend their title. Real Madrid will get that chance today against Juventus, kick-off 10.45pm UAE time, and Ronaldo will be leading the way.
The 32-year-old Portugal star will be playing in the Champions League final for the fifth time in nine years. He has won twice already with Madrid, and once with Manchester United.
Even as CR7 has had to increasingly accept being on the sidelines to stay fresh for the big occasions, it’s hard to argue because Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane’s squad rotation system has netted Los Blancos a La Liga title and yet another Champions League final.
“Obviously what I want the most is to play more freely up front,” Ronaldo said, “and that is the opportunity Zinedine Zidane has been giving me as a No. 9. I play freely. I play on the wing, down the middle. I play whenever I think I should.”
Ronaldo added of Zidane: “I already admired him as a player and now I admire him even more as a coach because he’s a very positive person — a hard worker and very respectful towards the players.”
Standing between Real, Ronaldo, Zidane and glory, however, is Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, 39, who will also make history by becoming the oldest player to win the Champions League if he finally gets his hands on the trophy in the Welsh capital.
The 2006 World Cup winner will be spurred on by the heartache of losing two previous Champions League finals.And though the Italian legend has shown plenty of bravery throughout his career, he insists it is fear that drives him on.
“It’s the kind of fear you need to have when you play this kind of game,” he said in an interview with Mediaset.
“You need to find courage to beat this fear and I generally manage to do so. That’s why I feel much stronger than people who say they are never scared.
“We will play the game with confidence. We just want to have no regrets at the final whistle.”
Missing medal
Buffon has been the last line of a Juve defence that conceded only three times en route to the final — the lowest total since Arsenal arrived at the showpiece game against Barcelona in 2006 having let in two goals.
Arsenal lost to Barcelona on that occasion but Buffon is determined to finally add the missing medal to his collection which includes multiple Serie A titles with Juve.
“I have always maintained that, in football, making the final means nothing if you don’t win it,” Buffon said.
“I don’t look at the Champions League as the trophy that evades me — but, yes, it is a big dream for me to win it.
“After the defeat to Barcelona in the final, two years ago, many people thought I would never have another chance, but I always believed that, if we worked hard, I would get another opportunity — and this time we must make it count.”
— Agencies
