End of a dream. It is Barcelona that raises the Champions League under the sky of Berlin, while Juve has no choice but to update the account of the lost finals. With that of yesterday, the number of times that the Lady, having reached the last act, has found herself attending the celebrations of others has become 6: a truly unenviable record, which confirms that the Champions League is an almost cursed competition. But if it is true that "winning is the only thing that matters" (Boniperti dixit), it is equally true that, this time, one could not expect much more. The strongest team won, the one that can afford the luxury of fielding strikers like Messi, Suarez and Neymar: people with 122 goals this season, more than the entire Juve squad has scored. To beat Barça, a perfect game was needed, full of experience and luck and the Bianconeri lacked both things.
“In our best moment we conceded a goal like chickens, against certain champions naivety is not allowed – explained Massimiliano Allegri. – Having said that, I can't reproach the boys for anything, our season remains fantastic”. True, yet there is a bitter taste in the mouth, all right if there is. In fact, many hoped that this could be the right time to dispel the Champions League taboo, but it went badly. Also to blame for some episodes, above all what happened in the 67th minute: Pogba, with the result of 1-1, falls in the area after contact with Dani Alves. The referee Cakir lets it continue and a minute later Barcelona scores the 2-1 through Suarez (68'). Controversy aside (the penalty was fine) it was the key moment of the match, the one that directed the big-eared cup towards Catalunya. In fact, until then it had been a substantially balanced match, in which the Blaugrana had started very strong (Rakitic found the 1-0 after just 4' and in the 13th minute only a miracle by Buffon prevented Dani Alves from doubling) without, however, completely the black and whites. Once the performance anxiety had subsided, they found each other, so much so that they reached a draw at the start of the second half (Morata's tap-in after a Ter Stegen rejection on Tevez). “We played well but we had to manage some moments better – Allegri's analysis. – We got caught by the throat in an attempt to take the lead, instead against certain champions we need to be more careful”.
Defeat hurts but Juventus pride doesn't come out bruised, quite the contrary. “There is bitterness but the team still deserves compliments – commented Marotta. – Even these defeats can teach us something, we started from seventh place by winning 4 consecutive championships and getting here. Now we are aiming for the final in Milan 2016”. The long run-up begins with the market, a real crossroads for every season. Tevez and Pirlo could leave ("I hope they both stay, we'll talk to them right away") and Pogba will once again be "besieged" by the big foreign companies. Precise and courageous ideas will be needed to ensure that Berlin does not remain just a bitter memory but a starting point towards future goals. Barcelona doesn't have these problems: with yesterday's success, there are 5 Champions League titles, 4 of which won in the last 9 years. Incredible numbers, which make a treble that is actually extraordinary almost normal. Spotlights on Messi, Suarez and Neymar, but also on Iniesta, Xavi (who greets Barcelona with the umpteenth triumph of his extraordinary career), Piqué, Mascherano and Rakitic, without forgetting Luis Enrique, less celebrated coach than Guardiola but capable of obtaining the same results, but with better numbers. “We deservedly won, it wasn't an easy match – the words of the Spaniard. – I take this opportunity to greet the Roma fans, they will be happy with our success”.
Bitterness yes, discouragement no. Juventus closes a potentially 10 season with a nice 9, in the face of those who thought it impossible to get to Berlin. The wound will be healed as soon as possible and we will try again next year. With that extra pinch of European experience that will perhaps allow us to dispel the curse of the finals.
