Barcelona collected their fourth Champions League title since 2006 in 2014-15, their fifth general, with one of the vital spectacular sides they’ve ever accrued.
They defeated a robust Juventus facet 3-1 within the remaining, with their entrance three of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez rising as among the best attacking trios within the historical past of the competitors.
CHANGES
The sixtieth incarnation of the European Cup was affected by political climates; because of the unrest between Russia and Ukraine, groups had been to not be drawn in opposition to one another, whereas groups from Israel had been prohibited from internet hosting any UEFA competitors because of the Israel-Palestine battle. The 2014-15 season was additionally the primary through which groups had been compelled to adjust to Monetary Truthful Play laws, while the now-conventional ‘vanishing spray’ was first launched.
With Actual Madrid profitable their coveted La Decima trophy the earlier season, Barcelona reacted by bringing in former participant Luis Enrique as coach to organise a vastly gifted squad, which included the acquisition of Luis Suarez from Liverpool. Actual Madrid introduced in James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, whereas Chelsea snapped up Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas.
SUMMARY
Defending champions Madrid began their marketing campaign in emphatic vogue, demolishing Basel 5-1 on the Santiago Bernabeu. In a bunch alongside the Swiss, Liverpool, and Ludogorets, Los Blancos received each single match to progress to the knockout stage.
Barcelona loved comparable success, dropping factors solely as soon as in a bunch with Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax, and APOEL. Eventual finalists, Juventus, completed second of their respective group with Atletico Madrid, Olympiakos, and Malmo.
The most important wins of the group stage got here courtesy of Bayern Munich, who destroyed Roma 7-1 within the Stadio Olimpico within the Italian capital, and Shakhtar Donetsk, who put BATE to the sword with a 7-0 victory. Three groups progressed to the knockout stage with out dropping a single recreation; Madrid, Chelsea, and Porto.
Liverpool, having come so near profitable the Premier League title the season prior, couldn’t cope with the lack of Suarez to Barcelona and will solely end third of their group, Basel qualifying forward of them.
The Spherical of 16 draw, because it normally does, supplied some mouth-watering ties. Juventus had been very good of their defeat of Borussia Dortmund, 5-1 on combination, whereas a late Thiago Silva header in extra-time pushed PSG previous Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Barcelona and Suarez had been too good for Manchester Metropolis, the Uruguayan scoring two in a 3-1 combination victory. Elsewhere Bayern Munich demolished Shakhtar Donetsk, whereas Arsenal had been embarrassed by Monaco.
Two of the quarter-final matchups proved to be extraordinarily tight, with Juventus overcoming Monaco courtesy of an Arturo Vidal penalty, whereas Actual Madrid knocked out Atletico Madrid – one other assembly between the perimeters following the ultimate of the earlier 12 months – solely courtesy of an 88th-minute aim from Chicharito within the second leg. The opposite two fixtures within the final eight noticed Barcelona comprehensively get rid of PSG, Neymar and Suarez taking centre stage, whereas Porto had been no match for a Bayern Munich facet well-fancied beneath Pep Guardiola.
However within the final 4, Guardiola’s return to Camp Nou to face former facet Barcelona was a bitter one, Messi’s twisting of the blood of Jerome Boateng on the way in which to a 5-3 combination victory an abiding reminiscence. Madrid had been backed to supply the first-ever Clasico remaining within the historical past of the event, however they had been outdone by considered one of their very own. Alvaro Morata, on mortgage in Turin, scored in each legs as Juventus narrowly secured a 3-2 combination win.
The ultimate between Barcelona and Juventus within the Olympiastadion, Berlin, was distinctive in that whichever facet emerged victorious would safe a historic treble after already securing their respective home leagues and cups. It was additionally the primary time that the 2 sides had confronted one another within the remaining of European competitors, and Barcelona instantly claimed the initiative, Ivan Rakitic firing house after simply 4 minutes. Juve rallied within the second half, the defiant Morata equalising after Carlos Tevez’s shot was saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
However this Barca group, notably their entrance three, had been at their peak and showcased their potential within the second half, Suarez and Neymar sealing the victory and proving the Catalan facet to be the very best at school as soon as extra.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
LIONEL MESSI
Joint prime goalscorer in addition to the highest help maker within the event, Messi was imperious alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar.
MANAGER OF THE SEASON
LUIS ENRIQUE
Knocking out Manchester Metropolis, PSG, Bayern Munich, after which ultimately Juventus isn’t any simple feat, however doing it with out the group each actually wanting threatened is one thing else.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON
NEYMAR
The Brazilian scored probably the most targets alongside Ronaldo and Messi, however it was the timing and significance of his targets which set him aside.
TOP GOALSCORER
CRISTIANO RONALDO, LIONEL MESSI, NEYMAR – 10 GOALS
TEAM OF THE SEASON
BUFFON; IVANOVIC, CHIELLINI, PIQUE, ALBA; BUSQUETS, RAKITIC, PIRLO; SUAREZ, MESSI, NEYMAR.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
LIONEL MESSI loved one of many tournaments of his profession in 2014-15. Arguably his second of the season got here through a meme-worthy second through which he embarrassed Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer with a speedy dribble and pleasant chip.
KEY MOMENT OF THE SEASON
Messi picks up possession simply exterior the field and pulls off an outrageous change of tempo and physique shift to place Boateng on the bottom earlier than happening to lob Neuer with aplomb.
