The Football Times: Champions League 2015

The European Dream

Berlin 2015

The UEFA Champions League has come to its 1 last stop - The Finals. The stage is set at the Olympic Stadium in the German capital of Berlin where the 2 of the 32 qualified teams will fight it all for the elite European crown.

Road To Berlin! These were the words on the mind of the 32 clubs who had a chance of becoming Europe's best. But finally only 1 would successfully claim themselves the Champions League title. It started as a long journey but in the end it has come dow to 2 teams,who'll face each other in the finals at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The 2 European heavywieghts who could make this far in the competiton came here by defeating some big names in the game of Football. It was definitely not an easy task but they made their way clear and at times turned the things from impossible to unbeatable. Italian champions for 4 times in a row now,Juventus came to their 1st final since 2003. They last played at this stage against their league rivals AC Milan at Old Trafford,where the Milan side had won the slatemate winning their 6th European Cup. The other team alongside Juve are coming to this stage after 5 years who are aiming for their 5th Champions League title. Having won the tournament earlier in 2006,2009 & 2011,this team is on the verge of becoming the most successful club for the last 2 decades.

Barcelona last won the title in 2011 at the Wembley Stadium in London,where they'd beaten the then English champions Manchester United. It was the same fixture that happened in the 2009 finals in Rome and so was the result,Barça won their 3rd title. They started off this season's campaign with having the French champions Paris Saint Germain in their group and luckily topped the group. The 2 teams faced each other again in the quarter finals but Barça emerged as the winners. The semi finals was a tricky phase for them as they were gonna face their former manager who'd won them 2 European Cups,Pep Guardiola now the manager of German knights FC Bayern München. The last time they faced each other in 2013,Barça had Guardiola as their boss and Bayern had just given them their worst nightmare by beating them 7-0 and ultimately won their 5th title and hitory's 1st ever German treble.

The story this time was different as Barcelona took a huge advantage in the 1st leg by beating former manager's side 3-0 with Messi having 2 goals in his name. The return leg at Allianz Arena was a situation where Bayern desperately wanted a revenge. It seemed almost impossible as no team has turned a 3 goal deficit at this stage. Yet some fans believed that their team could reach the finals and prove critics wrong. The home side took an early lead in the 1st half with Benatia heading home a much needed goal. It gave the Bavarian club some confidence but the lead was cut out by Barça's Neymar. It wasn't too long before another goal as Luis Suarez set up Neymar for his 2nd goal. The home felt disappointed as Barcelona were now 4 goals ahead on aggregate. Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez was on top form as he assisted both the goals.

Neymar celebrating after giving Barça the lead

The score at half time was 1-2 for the Spanish giants. As the second half began,Bayern stsrted dominating the game and their efforts now paid off as Robert Lewandowski scored an equaliser for the German club. There was hardly any time for celebration as the players knew more was needed to be done to get back in the game. World Cup winner Thomas Müller scored a goal in the last 10 minutes of the game to give Bayern the lead. It was not enough and they knew it. The final whistle was blown and Barcelona couldn't stop themselves from celebrating. The defeat meant Bayern Munich and manager Pep Guardiola were beaten at this stage for 2 times in a row by Spanish teams. Guardiola could do nothing as his former employers now made way to the finals in Berlin.

Barcelona players celebrating after their win over FC Bayern Munich.

The 2nd fixture of semi finals between defending champions and Real Madrid and Italian giants Juventus had a different story. Although Juve had beaten the Galacticos in the 1st leg,many had hoped for Madrid to reach the finals. After a convincing 2-1 win at home,Juventus were determined to make it to the finals. The finals was all they focused on as they had won the league with a few games to go. The Santiago Bernabeau was packed to the rafters as it was their team's last home game in the competition. 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner Colombian James Rodriguez was brought down in the box in the 1st half,where refree awarded the home side a penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot as Real Madrid were leading the game with 1-0. The score remained the same at the half time but Juventus kept their cool and started the 2nd half more confidently. The Italian side's cool attitude showed off as former Galactico Alvaro Morata scored the equaliser for the visitor's.

The Spanish player didn't celebrate the goal as a mark of repect to Real Madrid,the latter's boyhood and ex-club. The goal left the gigantic Bernabeau silent as the fans were in a state of shock. It made things more complex for the defending champions as they needed 2 more goals to go through. They had more chances in the game later,but all went in vain. The nail biting match came to an end with the score tied at 1-1 giving Juventus a 3-2 aggregate win and their 1st finals in over 12 years

Juventus players celebrating on reaching their 1st finals in 12 years.

This defeat for the Galacticos meant they could win no title this season and questions had started arising if manager Carlo Ancelotti could get the sack. Much was expected from this side,but they did their best and we are yet to see an El Classico in the Champions League finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction after his team missed out on reaching the finals.

So,its gonna be another cracking fixture at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin for the finals with the both the teams having only 1 thing in sight - The Champions League trophy. Though both the teams have won their respective leagues and are in the domestic cup finals,they're gonna be aiming for a treble. While Barcelona aiming for their 5th,Juvebtus are on their way to the 3rd. So the whole world is now on the 'Road To Berlin'.