Allegri stays optimistic

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has labelled 11-time winners Real Madrid favourites for the Champions League final, but said the "optimistic" Italians intend on bringing the trophy home from Cardiff on Saturday.

Fresh from securing a record third consecutive league and Cup double, Juventus are looking to complete a treble this season when they face Real in the Welsh capital.

The June 3 final comes two years after a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in Berlin in Allegri's opening season at the club -- that was Juve's sixth defeat in the final of the competition, a record.

Real, meanwhile, won the trophy in 2014 and again last season, beating city rivals Atletico in the final on each occasion.

"We're optimistic, but it doesn't seem right to me that Juventus have been branded favourites because Real have won two Champions League titles in the past years," Allegri said Monday.

“They're used to playing the final, as we are. We have to accept that they are the favourites."