- Title: SOCCER-CHAMPIONS/BARCELONA CITY Barca fans prepare to celebrate in their city
- Date: 6th June 2015
- Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (JUNE 6, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF LAS RAMBLAS BOULEVARD IN BARCELONA CENTRE MAN TAKING PICTURE AT CANALETAS FOUNTAIN, WHERE BARCELONA FANS TRADITIONALLY CELEBRATE CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORIES, NEXT TO GIRL WEARING MESSI JERSEY MAN READING SPORTS NEWSPAPER BARCA JERSEYS ON DISPLAY / COUPLE LOOKING AT SOUVENIRS BARCA SOUVENIRS / COUPLE (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENC
- Embargoed: 21st June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAETPSA13VMT4L5OF7WIMX4335T
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Barcelona fans began gathering in the Catalan capital on Saturday (June 6) ahead of their side's clash against Juventus in the Champion's League final in Berlin, Germany.
Barca supporters are on a high after their team won the La Liga title and King's Cup last month with the club now on the verge of repeating their historic treble from 2009. They are hoping to be able to celebrate on Saturday night at the Canaletas Fountain, the place of choice for Barca celebrations.
Souvenir shops selling Barca jerseys and paraphernalia are also hoping for more business. The Catalan giants have fans the world over and Saturday is their big night.
"We have a good chance, but we must be cautious when we talk about beating Juve. But I think we have a good chance to win this match and to win a fifth European Cup," said Barcelona jersey-clad French fan Jean Michel.
Amongst a group of Italian tourists, Barcelona fans outnumbered the lone Juve fan.
"Tonight is Messi's night. Messi will score twice tonight," said Lorenzo. "I think Barca is going to score five goals tonight. Messi, Neymar Suarez...they will do," Manuel said.
Both Lorenzo and Manuel interjected with a big, "no," when Stephano piped up with a "Forza Juve."
The Catalan giants are favourites to triumph at the Olympic Stadium but Juve showed what they are capable of by dispatching Barca's rivals and holders Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
In the Jaica Bar where Barcelona supporters gathered for lunch, bar staff built up the atmosphere setting up Barca flags as fans drank and sang.
"To win a treble would be like reaching the sky," Barcelona fan Xavi Redondo said. "No club in the world has ever won it twice, so we would be the first ones to achieve that. It would also mean that Luis Enrique has done things right."
Luis Enrique, who is in his first season in charge at the Nou Camp, said midfielder Andres Iniesta should be fit for Saturday's match after an injury scare this week.
Spain midfielder Iniesta will be expected to help unlock a stubborn defence, though Juve's chances have been hit by an injury that has ruled out influential centre back Giorgio Chiellini.
Like Barcelona, Juve have already won the domestic league and Cup double this season. They will be appearing in their eighth European Cup final and are chasing a third triumph.
Barca have played in seven finals, winning four, and are bidding for their third triumph in seven years in Europe's elite club competition. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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