Barcelona basking in glory

Luis Enrique says Barcelona aim to become the first team to defend the Champions League title as the head coach considers his future despite steering them to an historic treble.

Enrique capped his first season as Barcelona's head coach by matching Pep Guardiola's feat from the 2008/09 season when the Catalans captured the European, Spanish league and cup titles.

Barcelona have now won five European titles, four of which came in the last decade after their 2006, 2009 and 2011 triumphs.

"This is our 60th match (this season) with six defeats and four draws," said the 45-year-old.

"Those figures show that this has been one of Barcelona's best campaigns. In the last ten years, this has been the most successful club in Europe.

"These players have shown hunger for victories and they've shown they enjoy it so much, we have to nourish them with more titles."

Enrique is yet to commit to a second season ahead of the club's presidential elections as he has had a tense relationship with current incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu.

"I want to celebrate the win, but the time will come when decisions must be made," said Enrique.

"It's been a difficult year with lots of transition, but I have to thank all those who have trusted me to lead Barcelona.”

ALLEGRI UPBEAT

Juventus may have become the only club to lose six European Cup finals but they took heart from pushing Barcelona to the limit in Saturday's riveting final and restoring the honour of Italian football, coach Massimiliano Allegri said.

"More than anything else we come out of this final with greater self-esteem, greater confidence and greater awareness of what we can do," a remarkably upbeat Allegri said after Juve lost 3-1 in their first Champions league final since 2003.

"I can't say that I'm disappointed with the performance of my team," he added.

In his first season coaching Juventus, Allegri led his side to the domestic double, winning the scudetto and Coppa Italia.

"We're sorry that we didn't win but I'm proud of what the boys did," said Allegri. "We can come away from this having played in European competition with personality. That was apparent on the pitch tonight.

"We can further improve the quality of our game," he said. "Not necessarily the results because that would mean winning the Champions League as well as the league and cup.

"We can improve upon what we already have and try to stay among the top eight teams in Europe on a stable basis. That's the most important objective of the team," he said.

"The enthusiasm that the people in Turin had, and the enthusiasm for the team from the whole football world, is only due to these boys who played here in Berlin," added Allegri. "I'm proud of what they did."

Juventus hailed the achievement of Allegri in getting the team to the final during his first season in charge, and beating 2014 winners Real Madrid in the semis.

"You gave us a dream. Thanks, mister," said Juventus's official Twitter account.

BUFFON NOT GIVING UP

Juventus' evergreen goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says he is ready to keep playing for another three seasons to achieve some remaining "dreams" even though he will then be past 40.

Buffon put in an oustanding performance but could do nothing to stop the goals.

"Barcelona are the best team in the world in my opinion, but we have proved that we could compete," said Buffon.

Asked about his own future, Buffon, now 37, said he still wanted to win a first Champions League title.

"I want three more years at this level to reach a few more dreams," said the player who has also won six Italian titles.

XAVI'S PERFECT END

Xavi brought his glittering Barcelona career to a fitting and emotional end when he hoisted aloft the European Cup following a 3-1 victory over Juventus.

Considered one of the finest midfielders of all time, Xavi announced last month he was leaving after more than two decades with the club he joined at the age of 11 during which he has won 25 trophies including four Champions Leagues and eight La Liga titles.

He was welcomed with a huge roar by the Barca fans thronging one end of Berlin's Olympic Stadium when he replaced Andres Iniesta in the 78th minute of his 767th and final outing for Barca before he joins Qatari club Al Sadd.

Pulling on the captain's armband for the last time, the 35-year-old set a record of 151 appearances in Europe's elite club competition, one more than Real Madrid goalkeeper and close friend Iker Casillas.

"Not even in the best possible dream could I be so happy," Xavi told Spanish television. "There are no words, I can't ask for any more, to leave this way is perfect.

“There is already a feeling of nostalgia. Knowing that you won't play for this team again is tough.

"This is amazing," said the Spain international.

SUAREZ'S REDEMPTION

For Suarez it was a triumphant end to a first season with the Spanish champions after his ignominious biting ban at the World Cup.

"It's incredible, it's something unique," he said.

"The best thing about this side is the spirit and the fact we've been united since the start of the season."

One-third of the deadly MNS trio, Suarez scored seven goals in the Champions League this campaign, while Messi and Neymar notched up 10 each.