Barcelona vs Juventus combined XI: Messi, Suarez, Pogba and Pirlo feature in our Champions League final all-star team

 
Champions League final: Juventus face Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Saturday
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Richard Parry4 June 2015

Saturday’s Champions League final marks the end of European football’s club calendar, as Juventus take on Barcelona in Berlin.

Respective victories over Real Madrid and Bayern Munich booked their passage to the weekend’s showpiece, with both sides looking to complete a famous treble following their domestic successes this season.

Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions back on May 17, and added the Copa del Rey with last Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

Juventus meanwhile secured their fourth successive Serie A title as early as May 2, before winning their first Coppa Italia for 20 years.

Both sides are star-studded. Almost as legendary as the Old Lady’s black and white stripes themselves are Juve’s Italian veterans Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon, while the magic of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have helped light up the competition this season.

Ahead of Saturday’s final, we selected a combined XI (plus the customary seven reserves) from the stars of Barcelona and Juventus.

We've opted for a fluid 3-1-3-3 formation, and here’s the team in full…

GIANLUIGI BUFFON

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The Italian legend may well be 14 years older than his Barcelona counterpart, but you would be hard pushed to exclude him from this side.

The 37-year-old has been an ever present for Juventus in their run to the final.

GERARD PIQUE

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The former Manchester United man has put his lacklustre spell behind him, and is now performing as close to his highest level.

For all of Barcelona's beauty it's in defence where, over recent campaigns, they have been left wanting, but the Spain international has been a composed presence in their pursuit of a league, cup and European treble.

LEONARDO BONUCCI

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Alongside Italian compatriot Giorgio Chiellini, the 28-year-old has established himself as one of the finest defenders in Europe.

ANDREA BARZAGLI

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I would have selected Giorgio Chiellini in a combined XI from the entirety of the Champions League squads if asked, so it's a little gutting that the Italian is ruled out of Saturday's final.

In his absence, I'm promoting Andrea Barzagli.

JAVIER MASCHERANO

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Nowadays, he may be played more often than not as a better-than-most makeshift centre back, but Javier Mascherano is restored to his rightful position in defensive midfield for this line-up.

The former Liverpool and West Ham man is the ultimate midfield firefighter, and while the decision of England boss Roy Hodgson to nominate him for the 2015 Ballon d'Or was ridiculed, Mascherano's qualities, albeit somewhat against the grain of the esteemed award, do warrant a prestigious accolade of sorts.

PAUL POGBA

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Injury ruled him out of the semi-final first leg over Real Madrid, but his performance in the Bernabeu was instrumental to Juve securing their passage to final.

His composer exceeds his years. At just 22 years of age, the France international is without doubt one of the best midfielders in the game. His inclusion in the side over his team-mate Arturo Vidal is testament to that.

ANDREA PIRLO

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Cesare Prandelli referred to Pirlo as a 'genius' in an interview with Standard Sport ahead of Saturday's clash and, at 36, the 'midfield metronome' is still ticking to same classical rhythmic beat that has graced world football for over the past decade.

ANDRES INIESTA

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With four assists in this season's Champions League to his name, only Lionel Messi can better Iniesta's creativity of those left in the competition.

The Spaniard is yet to score in Europe's premier competition this season, but don't bet against him breaking his duck on the biggest stage of all. He's done it before, just ask the Dutch.

LUIS SUAREZ

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The former Liverpool star came back to haunt Premier League opposition once again as Barcelona blitzed Manchester City to reach the last eight.

Many arrivals find life tough adjusting to team that's orchestrated around the main man Messi, but Suarez has embraced his Argentine peer and helped get the best out him.

LIONEL MESSI

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He's scored the most goals, he's supplied the most assists. Forget where the Ballon d'Or went this year, Lionel Messi is the best footballer on the planet.

Rejuvenated in a season that looked at one stage that it could prove to be his last at Camp Nou, Messi's exploits in last weekend's Copa del Rey final - and THAT goal against Athletic Bilboa, shows that the Argentine has put his differences with manager Luis Enrique behind him to return to his stunning best.

NEYMAR

Brazil's one shining light at last summer's World Cup, Neymar has returned from injury to complete an unrivalled attacking trio in world football. His link-up play with Messi and Suarez, not to mention his understanding with Iniesta, has been truly equisite.

That said, t was a tough call to select him ahead of Carlos Tevez. The Argentine has added the lethal attacking prowess that was lacking in a great Juventus side over the past three seasons.

So there you have it, the team in full, along with the customary seven substitutes...

3-1-3-3: Buffon; Pique, Bonucci, Barzagli; Mascherano; Pogba, Pirlo, Iniesta; Suarez, Messi, Neymar.

Substitutes: Ter Stegen, Tevez, Vidal, Busquets, Rakitic, Alba, Evra

It would take more than a parked bus to stop that lot.

But what do you think of our selection? Have your say in the comment box below or vote in the poll above.

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