adminROME. — Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid will need “patience” and the full support of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium when they host Juventus next week looking to secure a second successive Champions League final.Real were crowned European champions for a record 10th time last year with a 4-1 drubbing of city rivals Atletico in Lisbon.
But a 2-1 defeat to Juventus in Turin on Tuesday night, complete with an opening goal from former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, has given the Spanish giants food for thought ahead of next week’s decisive return leg.
Morata, who moved to Juventus in the summer, refused to celebrate when he opened the scoring with a tap-in after goalkeeper Iker Casillas had pushed Carlos Tevez’s angled strike into his path at the back post.
Cristiano Ronaldo, with his 76th goal in the competition, levelled on 27 minutes with a simple header as Juve’s defence went missing, only for Tevez to seal the win from the penalty spot just before the hour after being felled in the area.
Real have the benefit of a precious away goal, but after seeing his side struggle to find their feet before finally taking command when it was already too late, Ancelotti said he expects a different Real side next week.
“We made more mistakes than normal, that was because of Juve’s pressing. Their line was higher in the second half,” said Ancelotti.
“But we’ll be confident because we are playing at home and the fans there will help us. We have to be patient. The result is a negative one but not such a bad one.”
Morata, who moved from Real to Juventus last summer, was subdued after opening the scoring on eight minutes.
His response was understandable. It was Ancelotti who gave the 22-year-old more playing opportunities at Real, including a cameo appearance in the Champions League final last year which earned him a winners’ medal.
“I didn’t celebrate because of my past” with Real, said Morata, who insisted that despite Juve’s “great performance” the Old Lady of Turin can’t quite celebrate just yet.
“We put in a great performance but we haven’t achieved anything yet. In the return leg Real will be on top form at home, as always.
“Ancelotti’s team is the best team in the world so we have to give everything we can if we are to secure our place in the final.” — AFP.
Online Reporter