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Saturday, June 3, 2017, the sixty-second Champions League final took place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff between Juventus and Real Madrid.

The Bianconeri team, coached by Massimiliano Allegri, arrived full of confidence after crushing Barcelona with Messi, Iniesta, Neymar, and Suarez with a resounding 3-0 victory in Turin. The hope of reversing the negative trend in the Champions League seemed more than realistic.

Uefa Champions League ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

Champions League: the journey to the final

Juventus’ journey in the 2016/17 edition of the Champions League began with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against Seville. In the next round of the group stage, they strolled in Zagreb (4-0 against Dinamo with goals from Pjanic, Higuain, Dybala, and Dani Alves).

The trip to Lyon was decidedly more complicated. Especially because Juventus played with ten men after Lemina was sent off early in the second half. However, a spark from Cuadrado in the final minutes secured three precious points for qualification.

But the French team would hold Juventus to a draw in the return leg, with Tolisso scoring a few minutes before the end to equalize Higuain’s penalty goal.

Despite the setback, Juventus secured qualification in Seville where Marchisio (from the penalty spot), Bonucci, and Mandzukic overturned the initial deficit caused by Parejo. Higuain and Rugani sealed a home victory against Dinamo Zagreb.

Allegri’s team finished the group stage in first place and unbeaten.

In the round of 16, the Bianconeri faced Porto. The first leg ended 0-2 thanks to goals in the final minutes from Pjaca and Dani Alves. The return leg lasted only one half: Dybala scored from the penalty spot and extinguished any hopes for the Portuguese team.

The draw gifted Juventus with the toughest obstacle: Barcelona led by Luis Enrique. However, on April 11, 2017, the Stadium witnessed an unforgettable night. The Vecchia Signora won 3-0 thanks to Dybala’s brace and a goal from Chiellini. In the return leg, Juventus defended their lead without much trouble: a 0-0 draw secured qualification.

The semi-final against Monaco, featuring a young Mbappè, was not a tough obstacle for the Bianconeri. Higuain’s brace in the first leg and a 2-1 victory in the return leg. Two years after the disappointment in Berlin, Juventus was back in the Champions League final.

The night in Cardiff

After all these results, this time it seemed like the perfect opportunity to break a curse that, since the triumph of Rome in 1996, had seen Juventus play and lose four finals (1997, 1998, 2003, and 2015).

Allegri, concerned about the offensive power of Real Madrid, decided to sacrifice Cuadrado by moving Dani Alves to the attacking midfield. The Tuscan coach fielded Barzagli as a right-back with Bonucci and Chiellini in front of Buffon. Alex Sandro acted on the left, with Khedira and Pjanic in midfield. Dybala and Mandzukic completed the trio behind Gonzalo Higuain.

Juventus started strong, with Pjanic testing Keylor Navas with a shot from outside the box. However, at the twentieth minute, Real Madrid took the lead with the usual Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward capitalized on an unfortunate deflection by Bonucci. The Bianconeri felt the blow, but shortly after, Mandzukic produced a magical moment to equalize the game. The Croatian, with a bicycle kick from Higuain’s assist, left Navas with no chance: 1-1. The first half ended level.

In the second half, Juventus seemed to struggle mentally. They suffered for fifteen minutes before conceding another goal. A shot from Casemiro, another deflection (this time off Khedira), and the ball ended up in the net. Real Madrid was back in front, but Juventus lacked the strength to recover. They soon conceded a third goal with Cristiano Ronaldo completing his brace and effectively sealing the match. In the end, there was only time for Cuadrado to receive a red card (just after coming on as a substitute) and for Asensio to score. Juventus-Real Madrid ended 1-4. The dream turned into a nightmare. The hope sank in 45 minutes. Juventus’ European curse continues.