VANCOUVER, B.C. - The 2017 UEFA Champions League Final is all set for Saturday, June 3 in Cardiff Wales, at Millennium Stadium. The holders, Real Madrid vs Juventus. The anticipated final will feature the high-powered offence of Real Madrid against the strong, and masterful defensive posture of the bianconeri.
Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri will look to put together a brilliant tactical strategy to silence the likes of Real Madrid's, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, and Sergio Ramos. If Juventus is to pull off an upset, Gigi Buffon is going to have to be out of this world exceptional in net.
Football fans from all of the world will be tuning in when the action kicks off. Vancouver Whitecaps FC players have weighed in and offered their predictions on who will be crowned the 2017 UEFA Champions League winner.
RedNation Online also surveyed Whitecaps players to ask them if Italy produces the top managers in football. Along with Allegri, Antonio Conte, Claudio Ranieri, Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello, Roberto Mancini, and Massimo Carrera are successful Italian managers.
Goalkeeper, Paolo Tornaghi
Prediction: Juventus 2-1
Winning Goal: Leonardo Bonucci
"He's a friend, a former teammate, so I would really like it for him. I really hope Gigi Buffon will be the positive player for the game."
"I really hope Juventus. Honestly, an Italian team was unlucky last time. I know Italians we are always fighting with each other between the teams, but I really hope an Italian team finally will win."
Bonus Question
"I think they've shown in the last few years that Italian managers are pretty good. They are winning the Premier League, and of course in Italy with Juventus, and (Massimiliano) Allegri. Also in Russia with, (Massimo) Carrera. The team in Moscow they won the league. Italian culture in this game is very good. That's why our head coaches are good."
Right-Back, Sheanon Williams
Prediction: Real Madrid 2 -1
Winning Goal: Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Yeah, it's a tough one. I think it will be a close game, but it's hard to bet against Ronaldo, and Real Madrid. It seems to me that he always shows up in the big games. Even that being said, Juventus has been so good defensively, it'll definitely be a good battle."
Bonus Question
"Yeah, for right now I think it's the style of play that's in fashion or in style. Being sound defensively, and then letting your attackers go to work. I think it's worked out extremely well for the Italian managers. They've been fortunate to have some good players on their side to make it work, and definitely for right now, you can't argue that they're the best managers around."
Centre-Back, David Edgar
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1
Winning Goal: Isco.
"For me it's hard to go against Real Madrid. I just think they're far too good in attacking, and they've got players like Gareth Bale coming back, and they're in good form, so I'm going to take Real Madrid."
Bonus Question:
"You could say statistically right now they are. There are some very good managers out there right now. It's hard to get away from that, I'd say right now they are."
Centre-Back, Kendall Waston
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 -
Winning Goal: Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Keylor Navas, ha ha ha. I'm a fan of Madrid, and I like the way they've been playing, so I think, and I hope that Madrid win."
Bonus Question
"It's a type of football where they play very defensive. They have a lot of tactics. I think they get to know pretty much how to play against in the Premier League. They grow, and develop over there, so yes."
Left-Back, Jordan Harvey
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-0
Winning Goal: Karim Benzema.
"I've got Real Madrid. It's going to be a great matchup. It's going to be a very close game so I'm saying 1-0 Real Madrid with an after 70th minute goal."
Bonus Question:
"At the moment they've got a huge argument for that. I don't know enough about where coaches are at this point to answer that informed, but I think they have an argument, so sure."
Midfielder, Matias Laba
Prediction: Juventus 2-1
Winning Goal: Paulo Dybala.
"I think Juventus this time will be better."
Bonus Question:
"I think the Italian coaches have the best defensive shape. I don't know if Antonio Conte is the best in the world, but I think he did a very good job, and is one of the best."
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