Juventus vs. Real Madrid: Previewing the Champions League final

Rugby is what usually draws crowds to Cardiff, or Caerdydd as its known to the locals. But, in a change of pace, football is responsible for the capital's influx of tourists, as the final of the Champions League is being played at the National Stadium of Wales.

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The stadium is an appropriate venue for the final. The ground is located only a few blocks away from Cardiff Castle, a Roman fort with 2,000 years of history. Its walls are as resilient as Juventus' defence, which is entering the final having conceded only three goals. And its trebuchet is as deadly as Real Madrid's attack, which found the back of the net 32 times en route to Wales.

The two clubs are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to strategy.

But the stark contrast in tactics is just one reason for supporters to be excited. The battle is a repeat of the final from the 1997-98 Champions League in which Real Madrid added a seventh star to its white shirt. Zinedine Zidane was on the pitch that day, but his allegiances lied with Juventus. This time around, Zizou is chasing the Duodecima with Los Blancos.

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Furthermore, Real Madrid is trying to become the first club to retain the crown in the Champions League era, while Juventus is looking to avoid losing in the final of the European Cup for a record seventh time. There's Gianluigi Buffon, who is running out of time to conquer Europe. There's Cristiano Ronaldo, who can become the first player to score in three finals. There's Sergio Ramos, who can become the first captain to lift the Champions League trophy two years in a row.

There's no shortage of narratives in Cardiff.

Injuries and suspensions

It would be cruel if Gareth Bale, born in Cardiff and the soul of Wales' fairy-tale run at Euro 2016, is unable to play in the final. The Welsh attacker is battling a calf injury and is still feeling the effects of ankle surgery as an ailment-plagued season comes to a close. However, he is back in full training.

Bale admitted he might have returned from surgery too soon and may not start, saying: "I am not 100 percent. I haven't played for six or seven weeks: I obviously had my operation which still really hasn't recovered. If I'm called upon to start, I will start obviously. But to last 90 minutes: I haven't played a lot of football this year since my operation, so that would be difficult. Isco has been playing fantastically for us, at the end of the season, so whatever the manager decides I will (accept it). Whether I start or not, we'll both be cheering each other on."

Beyond Bale, the other marquee concern inside the Madrid camp is right-back Dani Carvajal, who continues to race against the clock to fully recover from a right leg injury suffered in the semi-final in early May. The Spaniard has been participating in full training in the buildup to the match, and is expected to be involved from the start.

Projected Lineups

Juventus (3-4-2-1): Gianluigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Dani Alves, Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira, Alex Sandro; Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic; Gonzalo Higuain

Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric; Isco; Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo

3 things to watch

Europe's best defence vs. Europe's best offence

Juventus boasts one of the best defences ever assembled. By combining the reflexes of Gianluigi Buffon, the consistency of Andrea Barzagli, the elegance of Leonardo Bonucci, and the violence of Giorgio Chiellini, the Old Lady is virtually impregnable. Having wing-backs like Dani Alves and Alex Sandro doesn't hurt, either.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid's attack is nothing short of exceptional, even by Los Blancos' standards. Ronaldo's sheer brilliance as a No. 9 is making fools of those who tried to write him off as he aged, and the Portuguese genius is benefiting from Isco's playmaking skills by embracing a more traditional striker role. Karim Benzema is as reliable as ever, too.

Will defence win this championship, or will offence rule the day?

A 'date with history' for Real Madrid

It was 59 years ago when Real Madrid last won the double of La Liga and the European Cup. The year was 1958, and Alfredo Di Stefano was Los Blancos' centre-forward.

Even at a club where the standards are absurdly high, and where silverware is spilling out of the closet, Real Madrid is one victory away from accomplishing something historic. Any supporter who is 58 years old or younger possesses the chance to witness something they've never seen, and that they may never see again. League and European doubles don't come along often, even in a country where only two clubs fight over the trophies.

As Ramos said, it's a "date with history" for Real Madrid.

Buffon's last chance

Buffon, the sole survivor from Juventus' squad that appeared in the final of the 2003-04 Champions League, is hoping the third time's the charm. The Italian 'keeper came up short 14 years ago in the final against AC Milan, as well as in 2015, when the Old Lady was beaten by Barcelona.

At 39 years of age, Buffon is running out of time to add the Champions League to a lengthy list of accomplishments. By no means does he need to taste glory in the tournament. He's one of the greatest 'keepers to ever play football. But, as Alves put it: "It wouldn't change his whole career to have it, but it would be another golden history."

If Juventus' invasion of Cardiff is successful, Buffon would be the oldest player to lift the trophy.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)