World Champion Toni Kroos could miss out on his dream of playing in the final in Berlin. The German midfielder and Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat in what was an intense and high quality first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Juventus.
The reigning champions will have to turn the tie around in the second leg on 13th May if they want to maintain their chances of making history by being the first side to ever defend their Champions League title. The final will take place on 6th June at Berlin’s Olympiastadion and would be against either Bayern München or FC Barcelona. Winning the “Undécima” would take Real’s total of Champions League titles to eleven.
Even a record goal from superstar Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t enough to put Madrid in a more commanding position in front of 41,011 spectators at a sold-out Juventus Stadium. The World Footballer of the Year equalised with his head to make it 1-1 (27’) after former Real striker Alvaro Morata had fired the Italians in front in the 8th minute. With 76 goals, Ronaldo is now the all-time leading goal scorer in Champions League history – at least he will be until Wednesday when Lionel Messi (75) take on FC Bayern. A penalty from Carlos Tévez (57’) has given Juventus a good chance of reaching their first final since 2003.
Kroos starts for Real
Kroos was included in the starting line-up by former Juventus manager Carlo Ancelotti. James Rodriguez, Ronaldo and Gareth Bale tried to break through the extremely tough Juventus defence, with the usual BBC combination not in force due to Karim Benzema missing out through injury. Hosts Juve were also missing a key player in Paul Pogba.
Juventus, who were crowned Italian champions for the 31st time on Saturday, were dominant and it was clear that they weren’t thinking of just taking a draw back to Madrid. Former Leverkusen man Arturo Vidal had a chance in the 1st minute but Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas was on hand to keep his effort out. However, seven minutes later he was only able to parry Tévez’s shot and Morata was on hand to tap home. It was the first goal Madrid have conceded away from home in the Champions League in 451 minutes.
Tevez scores the winner from the spot
Early on, Real were unable to really create anything through their attacking quality and remained vulnerable down the wings. However, with their first real attack of the game, the reigning champions found the back of the net through Ronaldo’s 54th goal of the season.
After scoring the equaliser, Real, who were more solid at the back at that point, were a lot quieter and strung a number of passes together in order to try and get in behind their opponents. One of those passes found Isco on the left hand side, who crossed the ball perfectly for Rodriguez but his effort came back off the bar (41’).
Juventus began the second half well and were awarded a penalty after a well-executed counter attack as Dani Carvajal, who also used to apply his trade in Leverkusen, brought down Tévez in the box. The striker got up to take the penalty and he sent Casillas the wrong way from the spot.