- Title: SOCCER-CHAMPIONS/TURIN AIRPORT Juve fans head for Berlin
- Date: 6th June 2015
- Summary: TURIN, ITALY (JUNE 6, 2015) (REUTERS) JUVENTUS FANS ARRIVING AT AIRPORT DEPARTURES HALL FANS WEARING JUVENTUS SCARVES AND JERSEYS FAN DOING VICTORY SIGN AND SAYING IN ITALIAN "ALL THE WAY TO THE END" FANS OUTSIDE DEPARTURES HALL OLDER BROTHER OF JUVENTUS MIDFIELDER PAUL POGBA, MATIAS POGBA, ARRIVING AT AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (English) OLDER BROTHER OF JUVENTUS MIDFIELDER PAUL
- Embargoed: 21st June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Italy
- Country: Italy
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA1BALL98354TTH37R2QGNUE4H0
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Anxiety was in the air at the Turin airport on Saturday (June 6) as Juventus supporters prepared to fly out to Berlin ahead of the evening's Champions League final against Barcelona.
One match away from winning their first ever treble after their domestic league and Cup double, Juventus face their biggest challenge this season when they take on the in-form Spaniards, who are chasing their second trio of titles after 2009.
Juve have lifted the European title twice, won three consecutive league titles under previous coach Antonio Conte but failed to have any major impact in Europe before coach Massimiliano Allegri took over this season.
Arriving at the Turin-Caselle Airport, Matias Pogba, the older brother of Juve midfielder Paul Pogba, said he could not wait for the evening to arrive and added he expected to see a tough match.
"What do I expect? Personally I really expect Juve to win but I know it's going to be very, very difficult for them to win tonight but we have to believe in it and be together with the team and we will see tonight," he said.
Allegri will be without injured defender Giorgio Chiellini but said on the eve of the match Andrea Barzagli was fit to play while Angelo Ogbonna was also an option for his backline.
"I heard that Chiellini is injured. It's a big blow for the team but you expect as a big club, to replace any player on the pitch. I think the players will do the job tonight and do their best," said Matias Pogba.
Checking in for the several extra flights to Berlin and picking up their tickets, fans said they believed the bianconeri had what it takes to beat Barcelona.
"Tonight I expect to see a tough match, good football, and in the end that Juve wins," said Moreno Quintino.
"All the Barcelona players are strong but we are no less so, we have heart, we have good team-play and a compactness that Barcelona lacks," Vincente Milone said.
Giuseppe Licausi was travelling to Berlin all the way from Sicily to show his support to Juventus.
"Yesterday we travelled from Marsala to Turin and this morning we are going from Turin to Berlin," he said.
"We expect to see a spectacular match because the best players in the world will be there and also hope that Juve will win because a Champions victory is well over due," Licausi added.
The fans said getting to witness the final in person was worth spending some serious money.
"I spent a thousand euros on the flight, the coach and so on. I know it's not a great deal but I found it at the last minute, I've never seen my squad in the final so I decided to invest in this, let's hope my investment will pay off and the result will be a good one," said Daniele Palermo.
Juventus did not expect to reach the Champions League final and despite being underdogs against Barcelona the Italian champions are hopeful of causing an upset, captain Gianluigi Buffon and coach Massimiliano Allegri said on the eve of the match on Friday (June 5).
Kick-off in the final is at 1845gmt on Saturday evening. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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