Both teams had to gamble: Juventus needed to attack and increased the pressure going forward bit by bit, making sure they remained resolute at the back. Madrid couldn’t afford to be passive and hoped to inflict the decisive blow. Moratas’ equaliser put Real in a tight spot – the side, who currently sit second in the Spanish top-flight, then besieged the opposition penalty area. The visitors sat deep and Bale spurned a fantastic chance to make it 2-1.
Juventus then launched a counterattack. If Claudio Marchisio had hit the back of the net, Real would have needed to score three more goals. On the other hand, it was Ronaldo who looked the most dangerous for the home side and set up numerous chances for Bale.
World Champion Toni Kroos’ dream of making it through to a final on home soil in Berlin has been crushed by Juventus Turin, who will face Barcelona in the Champions League final. The Italian giants drew 1-1 with Real Madrid in the semi-final return leg and prevented the first El Clasico Champions League final. Juventus now have the opportunity to lift the cup for the first time since 1996. The final will take place on the 6th June.
A Christiano Ronaldo penalty wasn’t enough to break the curse of the defending champions as substitute Alvaro Morata equalised, meaning Juventus progress to the final after winning the first leg 2-1. No team has won the Champions League two years in a row.
Juve veterans Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon face a return to the scene of their greatest triumph: Italy were crowned World Champions in Berlin in 2006. They will now come up against Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez, the most influential players in Barça’s semi-final games against Bayern München (won the first leg 3-0/lost the second 3-2).
Kroos starts in midfield for Real
Just like in the first leg, Kroos was named in the starting line-up and his job was to help start attacking moves. Karim Benzema was back amongst the prolific and feared Real attack and had the first real chance of the game. Ronaldo and Gareth Bale attacked down the wings, putting pressure on the Juventus defence. Juve also welcomed back a key player in Paul Pogba.
Arturo Vidal had the first opportunity for the Italians and Iker Casillas, who was making his 150th appearance in the Champions League, turned his long-range effort behind. Former Bayer Leverkusen player Vidal’s actions stressed manager Massimiliano Allegri’s previous statement that the necessary 0-0 would be "almost unattainable." They needed a goal and, just as many expected, pushed hard to increase their aggregate advantage.
Hectic closing stages in the Bernabeu
After falling behind, Juve only had one option. Giorgio Chiellini fouled James Rodriguez in the box and Ronaldo stepped up to convert the penalty, his 77th goal in the Champions League. The guests continued to push forward and this was an enormous risk because it left them susceptible to dangerous Real counterattacks. Ronaldo had two clear-cut opportunities, while Benzema also missed the chance to put his side 2-0 up. Juventus relinquished control of the game and had goalkeeper Buffon to thank for keeping them in it during this difficult phase.
Both teams had to gamble: Juventus needed to attack and increased the pressure going forward bit by bit, making sure they remained resolute at the back. Madrid couldn’t afford to be passive and hoped to inflict the decisive blow. Moratas’ equaliser put Real in a tight spot – the side, who currently sit second in the Spanish top-flight, then besieged the opposition penalty area. The visitors sat deep and Bale spurned a fantastic chance to make it 2-1.
Juventus then launched a counterattack. If Claudio Marchisio had hit the back of the net, Real would have needed to score three more goals. On the other hand, it was Ronaldo who looked the most dangerous for the home side and set up numerous chances for Bale.
