Juventus will take an invaluable lead to Santiago Bernabeu after a 2-1 win in Turin over the reigning champions. Juventus were disciplined and dogged in their approach and Real Madrid were lacking the intensity shown in the opening stages of the Champions League and sorely missed the likes of Modric and Benzema.
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The game was an exhilarating affair from the word go and both sides were attacking fervently but Juventus broke the deadlock in the 9th minute, much to the horror of Carlo Ancelotti. Marchisio slipped in a ball down the right wing and Tevez smashed a ferocious shot towards the bottom-left. Casillas palmed the ball out to Morata, who was lurking near the post and tapped it home from a couple of yards but quite sportingly, didn’t celebrate against his former-employers. The Real Madrid players were visibly shocked after this early setback but regained their composure and two zipping shots from Kroos and Isco were saved competently by Buffon. Due to the absence to Modric, Ancelotti was compelled to deploy the experienced Sergio Ramos in midfield and although the Spaniard is quite capable to act as a destroyer in the middle of the park, he lacks the vision and passing acumen of his Croatian teammate.
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Real were looking dangerous and after wasting plenty of chances, Real finally got their goal and the scorer was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. A ball bounced awkwardly in the box and James Rodriguez leaped acrobatically and managed to lay the ball to the path of Ronaldo, who headed the ball into an empty net past the scrambling Buffon. The Juventus stadium fell quiet as the grave and the visitors were clearly on the front foot. Juventus were let off the hook once again when James Rodriguez hit the crossbar from agonizingly close range. Marcelo played Isco down the left-flank and the Spaniard’s teasing cross was met by James, whose header crashed the crossbar, as the Juventus faithful breathed a sigh of relief. As Martin Atkinson blew the whistle for half-time, it was a unanimous decision that Juventus were the better side although Real should’ve taken the lead.
Photo: Reuters/Stefano Rellandini
The second-half had this certain air of restriction as Real committed few men forward. In the 56th minute, Marcelo’s heave after a corner was blocked and suddenly Morata and Tevez were two-on-two with Marcelo and Carvajal. Morata was tripped by Marcelo after playing Tevez on the left and with two players lying on the pitch; it was a contest between Tevez and Carvajal. Tevez surged into the box and before he could take a shot, Carvajal’s hopeful poke sent the prolific Argentine tumbling over and the referee awarded Juve a penalty. Tevez stepped up to take the spot-kick and the stadium erupted when Tevez smashed the ball straight down the middle. Juventus seemed resolute not to concede a second goal as the Real camp grew frustrated with every passing chance. Sergio Ramos had a torrid evening as his long balls were erratic and ineffective. The hosts were quite happy to let Real enjoy the possession as almost every Real player camped in the opposition half, looking for even the teeniest of chinks in the Juventus armor. Juventus missed a glorious chance to put the first-leg beyond doubt when Varane took a wild swipe at the Italian air and set Llorente free on goal. The substitute took a touch around the charging Casillas but his cut-back was hacked away before it could reach Pereyra. Juventus had all 11 men in their half as the game stretched to a rather boring end.
Photo: Reuters/Max Rossi
Carlo Ancelotti will be sorely disappointed after this loss, as rumors of the sack are looming closer than ever but Ronaldo’s away goal will prove to be a crucial factor in this tie. The tie is beautifully poised for the second-leg and if Juventus manage to keep Real off the scoresheet in Madrid, the Italians will go through to the final.
Tags: Juventus Morata Real Madrid Tevez
