1. ‘A night of redemption for football’
IT WAS A special occasion for many reasons this evening, with RTÉ’s Eamon Dunphy justifiably calling it a “night of redemption for football”.
With all the Fifa-related controversies of recent days causing significant disillusionment within the footballing community, fans were hoping for an encounter tonight that would remind them why they fell in love with the game in the first place — and Barcelona versus Juventus duly delivered.
The match was played at a frantic tempo for much of the 90 minutes, with moments of magic from both teams in plentiful supply.
An early Barca goal meant that Juve were forced to attack more or less throughout the encounter and it was not the cagey affair that many people feared, with Neymar ensuring a fitting conclusion in the dying moments, as he sealed the Catalan side’s deserved triumph with a classy finish.
2. Juventus can go home proud
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Many people predicted an easy Barcelona victory tonight, yet it was anything but.
Juventus ultimately made a significant contribution to one of the most enthralling finals in recent memory, despite fears that they their defensive prowess would render the game a damp squib.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men demonstrated considerable character to recover from conceding a goal in the fourth minute, working tirelessly to frustrate a Barcelona team who were clearly technically superior to their opponents.
Indeed, the Serie A side looked the better team in the opening stages of the second half, to the extent that Álvaro Morata’s equaliser was by no means a surprise when it eventually came.
Paul Pogba was particularly influential in the Italians’ second-half renaissance, backing up his billing as one of the world’s top midfielders, while Claudio Marchisio’s exquisite backheel in the lead up to Morata’s goal emphasised that they had the class to back up their passion.
Juventus may have lost eventually, but they gave Barca a far greater test than the majority of teams managed in this competition, and consequently, they can depart the Olympic Stadium with their heads held high tonight.
3. Lionel Messi already looks a shoe-in for the Ballon d’Or
Eight teams in total have won the treble now, but Barcelona are the only side to have won it twice — this year and in 2009.
Luis Enrique has consequently matched Pep Guardiola’s achievement of securing the feat in his first season as manager, consolidating his status as one of the world’s top managers in the process.
Moreover, with Barca having won it twice in the space of six years, claiming their fifth European Cup in the process, they are therefore likely to be remembered as one of the best sides ever.
It’s accordingly fitting that this undoubtedly great club have been spearheaded, for almost a decade now, by arguably the greatest player ever.
Lionel Messi may not have scored tonight, but the 27-year-old was still highly influential, assisting for Barcelona’s all-important second goal.
His performances over the course of the season means he is already in pole position to win yet another Ballon d’Or and add one more accolade to his countless list of honours — a player of boundless ability representing, surely, a team for the ages.
