Ballack tips Juve

Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has tipped Juventus to pull off an upset by beating favourites Barcelona in today’s final in Berlin.
Both teams are seeking to complete a treble of League, Cup and Champions League crowns, but although Barcelona have hit dazzling form since the turn of the year, Ballack believes Juventus could yet outwit them.

“I go for Juventus,” he told AFP during an interview in London. “Everyone thinks it’s Barcelona. Maybe it’s a little bit dangerous for them because everyone expects it, so it’s not easy. “Juventus have a big tradition and a lot of experienced players, quality as well, otherwise you wouldn’t kick out Real Madrid in two legs (in the semi-finals). So why not?”
Ballack, a beaten Champions League finalist with both Chelsea and Leverkusen, believes that Barcelona’s front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar is one of the finest forward lines of all time. Messi’s brace, which included an astonishing solo effort, and a goal by Neymar in Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final last weekend took the trio’s tally for the season to 120 goals.

But Ballack thinks that Juventus will draw encouragement from Bayern’s 3-2 victory in the second leg of their semi-final against Barcelona, who went through 5-3 on aggregate.
“If you see them playing the way they enjoy football again, especially Messi up front, in the semi-final he was outstanding,” said the former Germany captain, who is an ambassador for Champions Leaguesponsors MasterCard.