Barca beat brave Juve to claim European glory in Berlin

BARCELONA clinched their fifth European triumph by seeing off a resilient Juventus in the 2015 Champions League Final in Berlin to seal another treble.

Ivan Rakitic finished off an excellent team move to give the Spanish side a fourth minute lead but Alvaro Morata converted from close range to bring Juve on level terms after the break.

The Italian club enjoyed a promising spell before Barca wrestled back the initiative with Luis Suarez slamming home midway through the second half after Lionel Messi’s shot was saved by Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon.

And a ruthless finish from Neymar deep into stoppage time capped a deserved victory to crown an impressive campaign in which manager Luis Enrique has repeated the feat of former team-mate Pep Guardiola six years ago to claim three trophies in his debut campaign.

Leader of the pack: Lionel Messi (left) escorted his winning Barca team-mates up the steps to be presented with their prize (Picture from Sky Sports)

It was the perfect send-off for midfielder Xavi, who came on as a second-half substitute for his 767th and final Barcelona appearance of his 17-year stay before joining Qatari side Al Sadd.

On the other hand, two-time winners Juventus gave a good account of themselves in their first Champions League final since 2003 but have now set an unwanted record of six European cup final defeats, one more than Bayern Munich and Benfica.

Veteran: The 34-year-old Frenchman was appearing in his fifth Champions League final for a third different club but he has now lost four of them (Picture from Sky Sports)

Despite that, the Old Lady contributed to a high-quality showpiece and re-established themselves as a major force on the continental stage by showing their ability to compete against the best.

A calf injury ruled out Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini and the anticipated reunion with Suarez who bit the Italy international during last summer’s World Cup as Andrea Barzagli deputised.

There were no surprises in the Barca line-up with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, yet to make a La Liga start, continuing his ever-present record in the Champions League this term and Dani Alves figuring in what could be his final game for the club.

Venue for the big occasion: The 74,000-capacity Olympiastadion also hosted the 2006 World Cup Final between France and Italy (Picture from Sky Sports)

Both sides turned out for their eighth European cup finals at the stunning Olympiastadion in the German capital seeking to secure a treble in their respective managers’ first seasons in charge.

Juve won a fourth consecutive Serie A title and a first Coppa Italia in 20 years under Massimiliano Allegri, who succeeded Antonio Conte last summer, while Barca have claimed their 23rd La Liga title and first Copa del Rey since 2012 since Enrique replaced Gerardo Martino a year ago.

The Catalan outfit made the dream start with a goal which typified their passing philosophy as Neymar combined with captain Andres Iniesta, who teed up Rakitic to sweep home his eighth goal of the season from 10 yards.

Second goal: Rakitic's other Champions League strike this term came in the 1-0 win over Manchester City in the group stages (Picture from Sky Sports)

Arturo Vidal fired over after brilliant work from Morata and Neymar sent a rising drive over the crossbar during a lively opening.

But Barcelona seized control to come at Juve from all angles and keeper Buffon, the sole survivor from Juve’s defeat to AC Milan on penalties at Old Trafford 12 years ago, kept their hopes alive with a superb one-handed save from a powerful Alves shot.

Dominant in possession and menacing in attack, the Spanish champions threatened to overpower their opponents in the early exchanges.

Much-needed respite came eventually for Juve as Morata curled wide and Claudio Marchisio cracked a piledriver over from distance.

Just when Allegri’s team thought they had gained a foothold, Barca regained their superiority with Suarez poking narrowly wide before his sidefooter was tipped over by Buffon.

Long time no see: The two sides were meeting for the first time since the 2002/03 Champions League quarter-finals (Picture from Sky Sports)

Juve, who ended hopes of a first El Clasico final by knocking out holders Real Madrid in the semis, had conceded just seven goals in 12 games on the road to Berlin but invited pressure in a first half in which Marchisio’s stinging drive was their only effort on target.

Barca lacked the killer instinct on several devastating forays forward after the break as Rakitic fed Suarez, who was thwarted at the near post by Buffon in a move that saw five against three in favour of the Spanish side.

Messi then rifled over after an intelligent interchange with Neymar as Juve rode their luck but the Italians sprung a surprise to level matters on 55 minutes through a well-worked passage of play.

Marchisio’s clever backheel released Stephan Lichtsteiner before Carlos Tevez’s shot on the turn was spilled by ter Stegen into the path of Morata and the 22-year-old, a Champions League winner with Real Madrid a year ago, tapped home his fifth goal of the competition.

Tap-in: Spanish striker Morata had a simple task to net for the third European match running (Picture from Sky Sports)

As the travelling band from Turin increased the decibel levels, it injected a renewed belief among the Juventus players as the momentum swung in their favour.

With the outcome seemingly in the balance, Morata climbed above Gerard Pique to head Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick over the top and top scorer Tevez lashed over when found by Vidal.

Paul Pogba was then convinced he should have had a penalty when grappling with Alves in the box but Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir was unimpressed and, within seconds, Barca demonstrated their class by restoring their advantage.

Impressive record: Suarez was making only the 16th Champions League appearance of his career (Picture from Sky Sports)

Messi carried the fight forward and, when Buffon failed to hold onto his low effort, former Liverpool striker Suarez was on hand to tuck home his 25th goal of an outstanding first season with the club.

Neymar thought he had increased the lead when steering Jordi Alba’s cross into the net although the additional assistant ruled that the ball had glanced off his forehead and onto his arm as the goal was chalked off.

Helping hand: Neymar's header flicked off his right hand which wrongfooted Buffon as the goal was ruled out (Picture from Sky Sports)

The sentimental moment of the evening came 13 minutes from time when 35-year-old Xavi made a final farewell in his 151st European outing and was handed the armband by Iniesta.

Brief cameo: Xavi hailed the victory as an "incredible" end to his distinguished career (Picture from Sky Sports)

Undoubtedly, the better opportunities fell Barcelona’s way with Pique volleying wildly over following a lofted pass by Rakitic over Juve’s backline.

Juventus continued their pursuit of an equaliser as Pogba guided Pirlo’s corner off target and ter Stegen turned behind a bobbling daisycutter from Marchisio.

But it proved in vain as Neymar had the final say with the final kick, providing a clinical finish from substitute Pedro’s through-ball in the seventh minute of injury time.

Last act: Neymar settled the issue as the Brazilian became the joint-leading Champions League scorer with 10 goals alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (Picture from Sky Sports)

It sealed a momentous victory and kick-started the celebrations as Barcelona, who have not lost a European final since 1994, took the giant trophy back to the Nou Camp for the fourth occasion in 10 years and for the first time since 2011.

Having reclaimed European supremacy, becoming the first team to record back-to-back Champions League triumphs is the challenge facing Enrique’s team next term.

Winners: Barcelona received their medals from Uefa president Michel Platini after their third Champions League triumph in six years (Picture from Sky Sports)

For Juve, the disappointment was evident with Pirlo bursting into tears after the final whistle as their wait for a first European title since 1996 is further prolonged.

However, despite suffering only their fourth defeat in all competitions since October, Allegri’s men can still take immense pride from their Scudetto and cup double and will be hopeful they can go one better next year.

Success: The 47-year-old guided AC Milan to the Serie A title in the first of his four seasons in charge at the San Siro (Picture from Sky Sports)

TEAMS:

Substitutes: Pereya (on for Vidal 79'), Llorente (on for Morata 85'), Coman (on for Evra 89').

Not used: Storari (GK), Sturaro, Ogbonna, Padoin.

Booked: Vidal (10'), Pogba (41')

Goals: Morata (55')

Substitutes: Xavi (on for Iniesta 78'), Mathieu (on for Rakitic 90+1'), Pedro (on for Suarez 90+6').

Not used: Bravo (GK), Bartra, Adriano, Rafinha.

Booked: Suarez (70')

Goals: Rakitic (4'), Suarez (68'), Neymar (90+7')