By Samindra Kunti in Cardiff
June 2 – Amid heightened security, the Welsh capital hosts the 2017 final of the Champions League on Saturday as holders Real Madrid attempt to become the first club to retain the trophy under its current guise since the competition switched from the old European Cup format 24 years ago.
Cardiff has been in lock down as the city prepares to host UEFA’s club showpiece. Road closures and extra security measures were implemented ahead of the women’s final on Thursday. The final between Real Madrid and Juventus comes less than a fortnight after the Manchester attack which killed 23 people.
The UK threat level has shifted from critical back to severe after the terrorist attack, but Cardiff remains on high alert. A huge deployment of police officers, including armed officers, will patrol the city’s streets, with figures ranging from 2,000 to 6,500 officers.
The city’s bay aresa has been secured to host the ‘Champions Festival’ and sections of the river Taff have been sectioned off. Facial recognition software will see cameras in the city monitoring visitors. Images will be checked against watch lists for terrorists and hooligans.
The roof the Principality Stadium will be closed during the final. Fans can’t carry bags into the ground with two giant articulated lorries serving as bag drops. Supporters will also be searched before entry. A secure zone is being established around the stadium.
Cardiff will host 36,000 supporters from the participating team, but fears have mounted over the city’s ability to deal with the influx of fans with a sharp increase in hotel prices across Cardiff. Hotels were charging more than £1,000 for a room for the night. North of the Principality Stadium ‘Camp Cardiff’ is hosting fans and journalists for £66 a night.
Europe’s two best clubs will square off in the final. Real Madrid will seek to win their 12th European Cup. In last year’s final Madrid defeated their city rivals Atletico Madrid after a nerve-racking penalty shout-out, which Cristiano Ronaldo decided with Madrid’s fifth and last penalty. Zinedine Zidane, who was appointed Madrid’s coach in January 2016, could become the first coach to win the Champions League consecutively.
Juventus eliminated Porto, Barcelona and Monaco in the knockout phase and have conceded just three goals in their campaign this season, but Ronaldo will be a menace to the Italians’ tight defense, spearheaded by veteran goalkeeper Gianluca Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini. The Portuguese scored back-to-back hattricks against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid respectively in qualifying for the final.
The match is a repeat of the 1998 Champions League final when Predrag Mijatović’s second half goal won the game for Real.
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