Appiah backs Juventus to win Uefa Champions League

Former Ghana and Juventus midfielder Stephen ‘Tornado’ Appiah believes his former side will shock the world by defeating a star-studded Real Madrid in the final of the Uefa Champions League at the Millennium Stadium in Wales on Saturday.

Madrid and Juventus will both be looking to add continental glory to their domestic titles after seeing off Atletico Madrid and Barcelona respectively in the Champions League semi-finals.

Appiah was on the books of the Old Lady between 2003 and 2005.

“Juventus have been competing in this tournament all this while and have a lot of experience to achieve success. It’s the club’s ambition to win the title after losing in the final two years ago so I believe they will defeat Real Madrid this time around,” Appiah told Goal.

“I have been speaking to some of the current players of Juventus as well as the coaches and top hierarchy and they are all optimistic of victory. They want to shock many people.

“The signs from Turin are massive and interesting. Madrid are a strong side but Italian clubs are tactically good and Juventus have particular players that will mark them out of the game,” he added.

A victory for holders Real Madrid will hand them a 12th title, becoming the first club to retain the trophy since the competition was renamed Uefa Champions League in 1992, while the Serie A champions will claim their third and first since 1996 if they emerge winners.

It is unclear whether defender Pepe will play part of the game for Madrid after suffering a broken rib but Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has been named in Juventus squad.