Real Madrid face Juventus in tonight&rsquo;s Champions League final at Cardiff, aiming to become first side ever to retain the trophy.&nbsp;mid-day takes a look at five key clashes that will have a major impact&nbsp;on who wins
Marcelo vs Dani Alves
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jun/Marcelo-alves.jpg" alt="" />
Similar in style and personality, these two Brazilian full-backs will bomb forward at every opportunity to try and expose the other&rsquo;s defensive shortcomings. No active player has more wins against Madrid more than Alves&rsquo;s 22 victories during his time with Barcelona and Sevilla. At 34, he has been reborn in his debut season with Juventus. Marcelo&rsquo;s importance to Madrid is underlined by the fact that his energy levels allow him to often cover the whole left wing by himself as Ronaldo drifts inside.
Casemiro vs Paulo Dybala
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jun/Casemiro-dybala.jpg" alt="" />
Dybala enhanced his burgeoning reputation and increased comparisons with compatriot Messi with a two-goal blitz inside the first 22 minutes against Barcelona in the quarters. However, finding space between the defence and midfield is a far trickier task against Madrid thanks to Casemiro&rsquo;s presence. The Brazilian can often be overzealous with his tough tackling, though, and could walk a fine line against the fleet-footed Dybala.
Luka Modric vs Miralem Pjanic&nbsp;
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jun/Luka-Modric-Miralem-Pjanic.jpg" alt="" />
With so much attacking talent on both sides, Modric and Pjanic will be tasked with providing the ammunition as the creative hubs in midfield. Pjanic has ensured Paul Pogba hasn&rsquo;t been missed by Juventus. Casemiro&rsquo;s presence in the midfield gives Modric more freedom to roam forward and with the likes of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to aim for, Juve can&rsquo;t afford to give the Croatian any space.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Leonardo Bonucci&nbsp;
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jun/ronaldo-mbappe.jpg" alt="" />
Ronaldo has never been fitter, fresher or in better form at the end of a season as he is now. The Portuguese has scored 14 goals in his last nine games, including hat-tricks in the quarter and semi-finals. However, Ronaldo is now faced with the meanest defence led by one of the world&rsquo;s best in Bonucci. Along with &nbsp;Giorgio Chiellini and &rsquo;kepperGianluigi Buffon, Bonucci kept Barca strikers quiet in the quarter-finals.&nbsp;
Sergio Ramos vs Gonzalo Higuain&nbsp;
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jun/Sergio-Ramos-Gonzalo-Higuai.jpg" alt="" />
Higuain faces his old side hoping to dispel his reputation as a big game bottler. A poor return at the Champions League stages was what led to the Argentine being sold by Madrid to Napoli in 2013. Ramos, by contrast, is very much the man for the big occasion. He is the only defender to have scored in two Champions League finals having netted against Atletico in 2014 and 2016.

Real Madrid face Juventus in tonight's Champions League final at Cardiff, aiming to become first side ever to retain the trophy. mid-day takes a look at five key clashes that will have a major impact on who wins

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Five key clashes in Champions League final

Champions League Final: 5 players to watch out for in Real vs Juventus clash

Real Madrid face Juventus in tonight's Champions League final at Cardiff, aiming to become first side ever to retain the trophy. mid-day takes a look at five key clashes that will have a major impact on who wins

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Five key clashes in Champions League final

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Real Madrid vs Juventus: Five key clashes in Champions League final

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