As Juventus and Barcelona prepare to face each other in Berlin this Saturday the stakes could not be higher.
Victory in this behemoth of a Champions League fixture will mean a treble-winning season for either team and as they ready themselves to meet on European club football's biggest stage there is almost nothing between the two sides.
The Old Lady are looking to re-establish themselves as a European footballing giant having worked their way back to the top following the Calciopoli scandal in 2006 and Barcelona are on the brink of a fifth title in the club's 115 year history.
But who has the better team? Sportsmail pits each player from every position against one another to find out who has the best line-up on paper.
Gianluigi Buffon has not won the Champions League but the Juventus legend could add a first to his collection
Marc Andre ter Stegen 8/10
Barcelona’s ‘cup goalkeeper’. Ter Stegen has been quality when called upon but the lack of rhythm that comes with back-to-back games is a concern.
Gianluigi Buffon 9
Generation-defining goalkeeper, and it is a shocker that he has never won the Champions League. Buffon stuck with Juventus through the dark years and maintains his quality to this day.
Dani Alves (right) could be on his way out of the Nou Camp this summer but is a key player for them
Dani Alves 8.5
Reborn this season, it will be a great shame if Alves leaves Barcelona. For years the Catalan side have been searching for a replacement but there’s no substitute for Alves’ link-up play with the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar on the right.
Stephan Lichtsteiner 7.5
Lichsteiner is awaiting career-changing surgery on his ankle but few would give up on the Champions League final. Despite his ball-playing ability the Swiss may be forced to move back to cope with the formidable Barcelona attack.
Gerard Pique (left) has had a fine season for the Catalans and is looking to win his fourth European title
Gerard Pique 8.5
Enjoying what has arguably been his best season, Gerard Pique is once again on the verge of being crowned a European champion. Much of the focus has gone on Barca’s ‘MSN’ but Pique has been brilliant under Luis Enrique.
Andrea Barzagli 8
Dominant defender – and he’ll need to be, given Giorgio Chiellini’s absence. Barzagli has been a key figure in a watertight Juve defence through the knock-out stages.
Make shift centre back Javier Mascherano (right) gives Barcelona some bite with his no-nonsense attitude
Javier Mascherano 7.5
At the end of the day Mascherano is not a centre back and his weaknesses in the air will always be a target for opponents. Unfortunately for them he wins his fair share of aerial duels while being almost unbeatable on the floor.
Leonardo Bonucci 7
Make no mistake, Chiellini’s expected absence is a huge blow, but Bonucci will hope he can deputise well enough on the big occasion. His excellent ball-playing ability is unlikely to be the main concern on Saturday. Keep Barca out and he’s a hero.
Jordi Alba (right) has speed and agility on his side and will look to attack the flank against Juventus
Jordi Alba 7.5
Attacking threat, defensive presence, Alba has been the perfect Barcelona full back since he signed in 2012. Link-up down the left with Neymar is one to watch.
Patrice Evra 7
Manchester United let Evra go in the summer and while he doesn’t match up to Alba in the quality stakes he is still showing the ability that defined him as one of the 21st century’s greatest left backs.
Andrea Pirlo (left) is the heart of the Juventus midfield and would walk in to side in European football
Ivan Rakitic 7.5
There is no replacement for legendary Barca midfield metronome Xavi but Rakitic is coming close to finding a modern reinvention. The Croatian has forced the Barcelona legend out of the side this season and has coupled tidy passing with tenacity in midfield.
Andrea Pirlo 8
Iconic presence in midfield but the more intense games seem to pass him by, which spells trouble against Barcelona. But when you need the right ball at the right time, is there anyone in the world you would pick ahead of Pirlo?
Rising star Paul Pogba is a sought after commodity throughout the continent and could prove a point in Berlin
Sergio Busquets 8.5
There isn’t anyone who performs his role as well as he does and Busquets has been the perfect defensive midfielder for much of this season to keep Barcelona ticking over.
Paul Pogba 9.5
The most in-demand player in Europe, a half-fit Pogba gave a glimpse of his talents in the semi-final at the Santiago Bernabeu last month but now is the time to prove a point around the world.
Claudio Marchisio (left) makes up one of the world's best midfield line-ups including Pirlo (second left)
Andres Iniesta 8
A defining midfielder for a generation, but Iniesta is unlikely to be Barca’s key figure in Saturday’s final. The World Cup winner has been showing signs of decline this season but never rule out the odd moment of magic.
Claudio Marchisio 8.5
Part of an enviable selection of midfield talent for the Italian champions, Marchisio is tidy on the ball and rarely loses possession. His presence in the middle of the park could be vital for Juve if they are to beat Barca.
Lionel Messi (right) is considered by many as the greatest player to ever take part in the game
Lionel Messi 10
Virtually unstoppable, the world’s best footballer… We are running out of ways to label Messi’s talents after another year that has put him closer to being consider the greatest of all time.
His incredible goals tally is unsurprising by now but the sheer number of assists – as many as Cesc Fabregas – show the Argentine’s unselfishness as well as his clinical side.
Arturo Vidal 9
The constant stream of transfer speculation linking him to the Barclays Premier League every summer says enough: Vidal is a quality player. His uncompromising stance in midfield has thwarted many an opponent but it remains to be seen whether he can ‘do it’ in England.
Since joining Barcelona from Liverpool last summer Luis Suarez has fitted in perfectly at the Nou Camp
Luis Suarez 9.5
Player of the Year in England but somehow playing third fiddle in the Barcelona front three, Suarez remains one of the world’s most feared centre forwards. His style has changed to a more unselfish focus but that in no way damages Barca and he has almost as many assists as goals this seasons.
Carlos Tevez 9
Be honest, that Tevez sparkle has never really gone – it’s just been tarnished down the years by his spells at Europe’s top clubs. Now, approaching his twilight years, Tevez is still tormenting Serie A defences and his contribution could be key against Barcelona.
Neymar is tipped to be the next big thing at the Catalan club and showed his worth in the semi final second-leg
Neymar 9.5
He’s not quite Messi but Neymar is as close as you can get – the only problem for Juventus is Barcelona have him among their ranks, too. Second-leg showing against Bayern Munich last month further confirmed he has the ability for the big occasion. Can he decide matters in Berlin?
Alvaro Morata 8
Many doubt Morata but two goals against your former club in the Champions League semi-finals can’t be ignored. The Spaniard has the ability, on his day, to eclipse Messi and earn Juve a third European Cup. He’ll need some help from his team-mates and the Argentine to do it, though.
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