Juventus put in a resilient display against favorites Real Madrid, to knock out the holders 3-2 on aggregate. Alvaro Morata returned to the Bernabeu to haunt his former-employers, as the Spaniard cancelled out Ronaldo’s opener. Carlo Ancelotti’s job is on the line after yet another substandard result and the Italian may be shown the door if the season ends trophyless.
Image: Reuters
Real Madrid, riding on Ronaldo’s away goal, began viciously, mounting back-to-back attacks on Buffon’s goal although Juventus threatened with their passing game. The hosts were bound to score as the Italians were overwhelmed by Real’s fast gameplay and in the 22nd minute, Ronaldo put his side on the front foot on away goals. James Rodriguez galloped into the area from the left and Chiellini made a hopeful challenge on the Columbian but ended up kicking the Real man and the referee Jonas Eriksson immediately pointed to the spot despite the furious Juventus appeals. Ronaldo, who missed a spot-kick on the weekend, took a chance and sent it straight down the middle as the Buffon dived to his right, to send the Bernabeu into a frenzy. Juventus had to score to keep their hopes of Berlin alive and had it not been for some fine saves from Buffon, Real would’ve taken the game beyond doubt.
Image: Reuters
In the second-half, Juventus regained their composure and gave Carlo Ancelotti quite a scare on the break. Alvaro Morata, the former-Real man, replicated his feat from the first-leg when he smashed in the equaliser in the 56th minute. Casillas did well to punch away Pirlo’s free-kick but the ball was sent right back into the 18-yard box and Pogba, who missed the first-leg through injury, headed the ball to the unmarked Morata, who chested the ball and whipped a shot through Varane’s legs and past Casillas from 12-yards. The Bernabeu was bewildered. Real’s work was undone by their own man, who again, quite respectfully, chose not to celebrate against his boyhood team.
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With 30 exhilarating minutes left to play, Ancelotti marshaled his troops forward, in search of a goal that would take the tie into extra-time but it seemed Juventus were doubly determined to not let Real back into the game. Gareth Bale had yet another torrid day at the office as he was jeered and whistled at for squandering a few glorious chances. It was one-way traffic in the last 20 minutes but Juventus kept Real at bay by quite unabashedly parking the bus. Juventus were in no hurry to take set-pieces as the seconds ticked off agonizingly quickly for Real. Casillas’ foul throw in the dying seconds ended all hopes for a dramatic comeback as the Real players hung their heads despair, as it ended 1-1 in Madrid.
Image: Reuters
Juventus accomplished the task which was seemingly impossible. Real will rue all the missed chances in the first-half and will lament an arguably avoidable goal, as the hopes for an El Clasico in Berlin were dashed by a gritty Juventus side. Juventus will be over the moon after this historic triumph and undoubtedly were the more disciplined and deserving side over the two legs. Forza Juve!
(Cover Image: Getty)
Tags: Juventus Morata Real Madrid
