One match away from winning their first ever treble after their domestic league and Cup double, Juventus face their biggest challenge this season when they take on the in-form Spaniards, who are chasing their second trio of titles after 2009.
"Probably we did not think that this year would be a good year or ideal year to reach the final," goalkeeper Buffon told reporters on Friday. "We thought it would take two or three so it was an unexpected surprise, a nice surprise."
"I think it would be fair to say objectively Barca are the favourites to win because they have great players with great skills," Buffon said. "It's only fair that a team with Messi, Suarez and Neymar are favourites," said the former World Cup winner, chasing his first European crown at the age of 37.
Juve, who have lifted the European title twice, won three consecutive league titles under previous coach Antonio Conte but failed to have any major impact in Europe before Allegri took over this season.
Allegri said Juventus had set out to reach the quarter-finals as the Turin outfit adapted to his 4-4-2 system from a more aggressive lineup under Conte.
"I tried to improve a team that was already at a high level. We started the season with an important objective that we wanted to get to the top eight and we now got to the final. So now we have to be first," Allegri said.
"How do we stop Messi, Suarez and Neymar, that's the usual question. We have to be very skilled but we also need to accept that we just cannot draw. We need to score," said the coach.
Barcelona's South American trio have been sensational this season, netting 120 times between them in all competitions.
"We need to attack their weaknesses. They have some like everyone. We need to think how to score and be technically skilled because Barca are also technically very strong."
Allegri will be without injured defender Giorgio Chiellini but said Andrea Barzagli was fit to play while Angelo Ogbonna was also an option for his backline.
"We are sorry about Chiellini. We lost a player who accompanied us from the very beginning of a great season," Allegri said. "But that is football. So tomorrow we need to take the final step however difficult it is."
(editing by Justin Palmer)
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