10 reasons to be excited about the Champions League final

It's a contest rife with fascinating storylines, and one that promises to be, most importantly, an excellent football match. Here are 10 reasons to be excited about Saturday's Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus.

Real Madrid chasing history

The numbers behind Real Madrid's continental dominance are staggering. Los Blancos, winners of a record 11 European Cups, won the first six editions of this competition, hoisting the trophy every year from 1956 to 1961. Last year's triumph over city rival Atletico made the Spanish juggernaut the first club to win the tournament 11 times - La Undecima, as it was coined - and victory over Juventus on Saturday will see Zinedine Zidane's side become the first in history to win the Champions League in consecutive seasons since the adoption of the current tournament format in 1992. It will also signal a third title in four years, which would only further highlight the fact that, when it comes to Europe's marquee tournament, Real has no equals.

Juventus looking to vanquish demons

If Real Madrid is the exemplar of continental dominance, then Juventus is the polar opposite; more often a bridesmaid than the main attraction. Saturday's match will be the ninth time the Old Lady has reached the final of this competition. To date, she's walked away victorious only twice. No club has lost more times in the final than Juventus (6). The Bianconeri have fallen at this hurdle on four straight occasions (1997, 1998, 2003, and 2015), including a bitter, controversial 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid that was decided by Predrag Mijatovic's offside tally.

Classic matchup: High-powered attack vs. stingy defence

This isn't the only factor that will determine who leaves Cardiff with the coveted piece of silverware, but it damn well is a vital one. Both Real Madrid and Juventus are too nuanced, too complex to simply boil this down to a clash between the Spanish side's fearsome attack and the Italian club's formidable defensive structure. But it would be foolish not to acknowledge those strengths as the reason each team is at this stage. Real has scored a tournament-best 32 goals this season. Juventus, on the other hand, has conceded just three times. Something has to give, as they say.

Can Buffon finally get his hands on the missing trophy?

Unless you support Real Madrid, chances are you'll be hoping to see Juventus' 39-year-old icon, Gianluigi Buffon, finally lift the one trophy that has eluded him throughout his marvelous career. A giant of the sport who has always carried himself with the utmost class, Buffon has become the unifying force for neutral supporters - and many of his peers, for that matter. Xavi wants him to win it, saying: "He deserves it so much." Antoine Griezmann hopes Buffon completes his trophy cabinet, and wants a Champions League triumph to spur him on to a Ballon d'Or victory. Heck, even Iker Casillas, as much an idol at Real Madrid as Buffon is in Turin, admitted that part of him would like to see the Italian claim the prize. After losses in 2003 (against AC Milan) and 2015 (versus Barcelona), Buffon will get another chance Saturday. It could very well be his last.

Dani Alves and Marcelo going toe to toe

Among a handful of enthralling individual matchups, the battle of Brazilian full-backs Dani Alves and Marcelo promises to be the most entertaining. The afro-clad left-sided superstar has been a dominant attacking force for Real Madrid once again this season, his ability to get forward, create chances, and even finish them himself being one of the staples of Madrid's play. He'll come up against a compatriot who, after an underwhelming start to life in Turin that was disrupted by a fractured leg, has reverted to type of late. Alves, now 34, was the best player in the semi-final against Monaco, setting up three goals and scoring a splendid one of his own to cap the tie. Whether he plays as a traditional right-back or gets pushed forward into more of a wing-back role, he'll go head to head with his Brazilian peer in a matchup of two "defenders" who could just as easily play as No. 10s.

A Welsh hero returns home

Whether Gareth Bale actually plays in Saturday's final remains a serious question. Coming off a lengthy absence due to his latest in a string of calf ailments, the powerful winger admitted Tuesday that he still isn't fully fit. Even if he was 100 percent, Isco's form at the moment - the little Spanish magician is playing out of his mind in Bale's stead - would have likely seen the Welshman relegated to the bench anyway. Regardless of whether he starts or gets introduced as a substitute, there will be something special about seeing the Cardiff native play for Europe's biggest prize in his hometown, where he is so beloved.

Ronaldo on the big stage once again

Love him or loathe him, Cristiano Ronaldo's record - both in terms of scoring goals when it matters most, and coming away with silverware when it's there to be snatched up - is remarkable. The Champions League's all-time leading scorer with 103 tallies, the photogenic Portuguese has bagged a staggering 52 goals in the knockout stages of the tournament, continuing to silence those who wish to downplay his achievements. Ronaldo, who netted the decisive penalty in the final last season, will once again be the centre of attention this time around. He's earned that distinction.

Higuain and Dybala not to be overlooked

Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Isco (or Bale, if he's fit) won't be the only stud attackers causing havoc in Cardiff. Juventus' Argentine connection of Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain struck an immediate accord upon the latter's €90-million move to northern Italy, and with the left-footed wizard acting as chief playmaker, the two have formed a frightening partnership that should be able to trouble Real Madrid's backline. The two men, who have combined for 51 goals in all competitions, have each acted as the marquee protagonist for Juve at various points of the tournament - Dybala netting a brace against Barcelona in the quarter-finals, and Higuain doing the same against Monaco in the following round. They'll need to both be on song Saturday if Juventus is to win its first Champions League title since 1996.

A battle of wits on the touchline

The tactical side of this encounter will be fascinating. Massimiliano Allegri has seen his stock skyrocket over the past couple of seasons, culminating with his work this year. His ability to shift between formations, using fluid, flexible systems that can feature either three or four men at the back depending on who has the ball, has been a hallmark of his Juventus tenure. With weeks to prepare for Real Madrid, it will be intriguing to see what he concocts to counteract the Spanish side's superior talent level. On the flip side, Zidane - a former Juventus standout, of course - has been largely overlooked when discussing Madrid's recent success. "Anybody could win with that squad," so many have gloated. That's simply not true. While Zidane may not (yet) be a tactical genius, the Frenchman has proven adept at managing a team loaded with egos and personalities, and that's something that shouldn't be overlooked. A win on Saturday would signal his third major trophy - and fifth overall - in less than two seasons. That's damn impressive, no matter what kind of players are at your disposal.

The two best teams in Europe

At the end of the day, here's what it really comes down to: With respect to Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Saturday's final pits this season's best two teams against one another. What more could you really ask for?

(All photos courtesy: Action Images)