Tensions are rising among tens of thousands of Maltese supporters of Juventus as the Italian giants face Barcelona in the Champions League final tonight, hoping to create a major upset.

The event has fuelled anticipation almost akin to the World Cup, with big screens erected in different areas around Malta, as bars expect to capitalise on a sporting night out.

Match fever has even infiltrated the political arena, with the Labour Party planning to organise an open-air barbecue in front of their Ħamrun headquarters, where the match will be shown live from Berlin on a big screen.

Boasting the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, the Catalans are widely considered to be one of the strongest sides ever, with bookmakers placing them as firm favourites to lift the trophy for the fifth time in their history.

Yet Juventus supporters are relishing their underdog status, hoping it will be their turn to play David against Goliath.

The history books confirm the Turin club is notorious for missing out in the final hurdle, sometimes against weaker opposition, as was the case in 1983 against Hamburg and 14 years later against Borussia Dortmund. They were on the losing side on three other occasions and have only managed to win the competition twice, the last time being 19 years ago.

On such occasions, when the stakes are so high, I am no longer sociable

As expected, all three local Juventus supporters’ clubs, including the one in Gozo, will mobilise their hardcore supporters in separate events, hoping this will be a long night to remember.

Labour MP Franco Mercieca, a frequent traveller to Turin, expressed confidence his team would upset the odds.

Opposition leader and Juventus supporter Simon Busuttil prefers to watch the game away from the crowds and will perhaps join in the celebrations in case of a positive outcome.

“I will be watching the game at home with my partner, Kristina, and my son, as on such occasions when the stakes are so high, I am no longer sociable,” he said.

The official match ball for the UEFA Champions League final, made by German firm Adidas, in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Tuesday. Berlin’s Olympic stadium hosts today’s final between Barcelona and Juventus in Berlin. Photo: Reuters

Dr Busuttil remembers vividly the day he went to watch the Champions League final in 1985 at Heysel Stadium in Belgium, when 39 fans, mostly Italian, were killed when part of the stadium collapsed before the start of the final against Liverpool.

“I can consider myself lucky, as originally we were allocated tickets in the section where the tragedy occurred, but had managed to find a better location in the main stand where there would not be so much overcrowding,” Dr Busuttil recalled. However, he pointed out that while events were unfolding in front of him, it never crossed his mind he was witnessing once of football’s greatest tragedies.

The Champions League fever was also evident on social media, where football fans shared their views on tonight’s final, including the eleventh hour injury to Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, who was ruled out of the match.

Malta Football Association media officer Mark Attard, a vociferous Juventus fan on Facebook, is rueing his decision last January thinking the final was not within his team’s reach. “Juve’s accession to the final has been so unexpected that last January I turned down an opportunity to buy the tickets for the final, as it looked like an impossible mission,” Mr Attard told Times of Malta.

While acknowledging that Barcelona were clear favourites, he said it was still possible for the Italian team to lift the trophy.

This newspaper also spoke with a number of fans who were on their way to Berlin as part of a trip organised by Juventus Club Malta Cuore Bianconero.

Club secretary Jean Borg said the trip was coordinated through contacts with the parent club as soon as Juventus clinched a spot in the final after eliminating holders Real Madrid.

Asked about their plans, he said that regardless of the result they would go to Turin soon after the final and hopefully join in the celebrations.

Meanwhile, preparations are already under way in Birkirkara, where Juventus Club DOC Vero Amore will be organising a street party in front of their premises.

Club president Joseph Fenech expressed cautious optimism while admitting that he had already endured sleepless nights in the run-up to the game.

A Juventus success would place the Italian club on a par with arch rivals FC Internazionale, who have won the competition three times.

The game starts at 8.45pm and will be shown live on TVM2.