Former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata helped Juventus get into the final of the Champions League after his goal secured a 3-2 aggregate win over holders Real Madrid.
The Italians lead the first leg 2-1 and looked like they were heading out as Cristiano Ronaldo converted a 23rd-minute penalty, which was debatable in the first place, to put Real ahead on away goals.
But the former Real Madrid academy graduate who was sold to Juve last summer came back to haunt his former side as he scored in the 57th minute to secure a 1-1 draw on the night and book Juve’s place in the final in Berlin on June 6.
It will be Juvea s first appearance in the Champions League final since 2003, where they faced a Carlo Ancelotti managed AC Milan and lost on penalties. They will now face a very dangerous looking Barcelona on June 6th in Berlin.
Real now look set to end the season without any silverware and there are doubts over Carlo Ancelotti remaining with the side next season as a trophyless season for a club of Real’s stature quite often results in the harshest results even if the side comes close to winning it.
Meanwhile goalscorer Alvaro Morata said it was a “bittersweet” feeling scoring against his former side and it was hard for him to not celebrate the goal.
“It is a bittersweet feeling,” Morata told Canal+. “Here and in Turin I came on to the pitch thinking that it was a training session (with my old team-mates) and I had to stop and focus.
“It was quite hard not to celebrate the goal. It was a weird feeling. But I would react the same again a thousand times.
“I would have liked to have scored against another team but that’s life. My feelings will be different against Barcelona. They are a great team but we are as well.”
Coach Massimiliano Allegri also heaped praise on the 22 year-old Spaniard.
“Morata is becoming a very important player, he has grown physically,” Allegri said
“He is a young lad who grew up at Madrid with many champions by his side. He started from the bench at Juventus but has grown a lot and I think there is still room for improvement.”