- Title: Soccer legends expect close Champions League final
- Date: 2nd June 2017
- Summary: FANS WATCHING MATCH (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER ARSENAL MIDFIELDER, ROBERT PIRES, ASKED IF IT WILL BE REAL ATTACKING AND JUVENTUS DEFENDING, SAYING: "Of course, yes I think Madrid and Juve, they proved they deserve to play the final in Cardiff because since September they both played very well. Juve they have a specific football; three at the back, very compact, very good discipline. They have the best goalkeeper in the world. On the other side you have Madrid; the best attack I think in Europe, with Cristiano Ronaldo, (Karim) Benzema, (Alvaro) Morata, (Gareth) Bale, Isco. It should be a great final tomorrow in Cardiff."
- Embargoed: 16th June 2017 20:09
- Keywords: Trezeguet Luis Garcia Pires Desailly
- Location: CARDIFF, WALES, UK
- City: CARDIFF, WALES, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0086JL6DRZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: When Real Madrid line up to face Juventus in the Champions League final on Saturday (June 3) soccer's legends are expecting the competition's meanest defence to meet an irresistible attack force.
The Italian side have conceded three goals in 12 games while Real have scored in 64 consecutive matches in all competitions, usurping the previous European record of 61 held by Bayern Munich.
For the former greats who are in Cardiff to watch European soccer's showpiece event, this aspect of the clash should prove an exciting spectacle.
Some of the great names of the game - including Luis Figo, Clarence Seedorf, Ryan Giggs and Marcel Desailly - were cheered by fans in a gloomy Cardiff Bay with an exhibition match played on a pitch floating on the water.
For these players, many of them Champions League winners themselves, this season's edition looks set to be one of the most intriguing in years.
"If they (Juventus) don't concede, they will probably win. But, in front, you have individual talent that potentially will make the difference. If (Cristiano) Ronaldo is on fire, then nobody can stop him," said former Chelsea and AC Milan defender Desailly.
Many of the former players echoed the sentiments of neutrals across Europe in supporting Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The 39-year-old has won almost everything in the game, but is still missing a winning Champions League medal. Saturday could prove his last chance.
The battle could come down to Ronaldo - who is searching for his fourth Champions League victory - against Buffon.
Buffon has been beaten just once in six knockout ties this season. Ronaldo has scored 13 goals in his last nine appearances.
Something has got to give but Buffon will be all too aware that Ronaldo has faced him four times and scored on each occasion. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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