Socrates

On Stefano Sturaro's suddenly massive importance to Juventus May 8, 2015 Stefano Sturaro was brought to Juventus during the last transfer window for the simplest of reasons — some depth in the midfield was desperately needed. Maybe he'd play in a few games here or there, fill in for somebody who needed rest or was suspended, get a start in the Coppa Italia games because that's when squad rotation happens, and then see where things stand at the end of the season. But ... Sturaro ... starting ... in the Champions League? In a semifinal ... against Real Madrid? Now, now, now. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, folks. That's something that would have meant some last-minute injury happened in the lead-up to that day's European challenge. Yet there was Sturaro starting in the Tuesday night. Not just starting, but starting in the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid, too. There were 10 starting spots that were pretty much certainties when every single predicted lineup was crafted and written out. Sturaro was the one starter that nobody — and I mean NOBODY — thought would happen with so much on the line for Juventus. Max Allegri had a hunch about starting Sturaro in the latest big game of the season, and did just that. By simply knowing who is on the Juventus roster but not knowing their context of anything, you would have put just about all of your possible money on a Juve midfielder in his early 20s making a huge impact, it would have been on Paul Pogba, not Stefano Sturaro. Pogba is the star, he's the eye of many around Europe as the summer approaches. Sturaro was the depth move, a player with potential whose starting chances with the club will come down the road. But, in a direct and unpredicted way, Pogba's long-term injury opened the door for Sturaro. And like we saw Tuesday night, the 22-year-old Italian midfielder has jumped at the opportunity. Sturaro was thrust into the spotlight and subsequently played a key role in Juventus' 2-1 win over Real Madrid, the reigning European champions. I feel pretty safe in saying was a little irked when Allegri chose Stuaro over Roberto Pereyra in the midfield. But, man, I sure was more than okay with being proven wrong. And like so many times before, Allegri's roll of the dice proved to be the right kind of move. He made easily one of the most significant plays of the game Tuesday night — and it took post-game replays to even make us aware of it. The live pictures told us that James Rodriguez blew one of the best scoring chances Real Madrid had all game. In fact, it would have easily been a game-tying goal if not for Sturaro's right boot getting a piece of the ball right after it connected with James' forehead. It was a deflection that kept Juventus in the lead and why they're heading to Madrid up on the aggregate scoreline. That one play, one incredibly important play, one completely unpredictable play turned out to be massive in the hours following Juventus' win over the defending European champions. And we didn't even know it at the time. That one play just seemed to sum up Sturaro's night — endless amounts effort and energy, tons of pressing, and an unexpected impact that was one of the most important of anybody in a Juventus jersey. (Side note: The guy has to start in Madrid if Pogba isn't ready to go, right? I think he earned it.) Sturaro's development isn't done or anything close to it. He wasn't a headline-grabbing name that Juventus signed over the summer. They dropped €5.5 million for the Italy Under-21 international and then immediately loaned him back to Genoa before you could look up YouTube highlights of him. It was a deal looked at toward the future, definitely not the present. Yet there Sturaro was, attempting and successfully completing tackles against some of the best players in the world in one of the most unpredictable starts a Juventus player has gotten in recent memory. Never in his wildest dreams could Sturaro have thought he'd be playing against Real Madrid four months after his loan spell with Genoa was cut short and he headed to Turin for his Juventus medical. Sometimes, though, that's just how things work out. Juventus' starting lineup is full of stars, but it was a relatively unknown 20-something who helped Juve slay the Spanish giants. One leg down, one to go.

Juventus given Pogba fitness boost ahead of Real Madrid return leg The club have confirmed that the midfielder is back in full training having been sidelined for over seven weeks with a hamstring injury. May 7, 2015 Paul Pogba could be fit to face Real Madrid in next week's Champions League decider after he returned to Juventus training on Thursday. The 22-year-old missed the 2-1 semi-final first leg victory over Carlo Ancelotti's men on Tuesday after a lengthy absence with a hamstring injury. Pogba has not played since picking up the problem in the 3-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their quarter-final tie on March 19. The France international now looks set to give Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri a selection dilemma as he decides whether or not to throw the midfielder straight back into action. Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo and Stefano Sturaro started in a midfield four against the European champions, but one of them is expected to be sacrificed to the bench if the Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain target is fit. Pogba could be handed a run out against Cagliari on Saturday, with Juve set to rest a host of first-team players having already wrapped up the Scudetto last Saturday.

Marchisio: Juventus Can Be Fully Focused On The Champions League Now May 7, 2015 Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has revealed that the Old Lady can remain fully focused on the Champions League now that they have won the Scudetto. The Bianconeri have already won their first leg semi-final clash with Real Madrid in a 2-1 result in Turin on Tuesday and will now prepare for the next battle in Spain on May 13 and the 29-year-old remains confident that his team will be able to stay completely concentrated on going as far as possible in the tournament, though he admits that it can be difficult for the club to find new motivation every year. Marchisio spoke to Sky Sport Italia about Juve’s successful season and their run in the Champions League, while also commenting on the challenge of doing well each season. “Every year it’s difficult to repeat our success, but we have been building a very important team with our new signings in recent times,” said the Italian international. “Winning the Scudetto has now allowed us to be completely focused on our run in the Champions League. “Every season you have to independently find new stimuli, but of course you can always find some from the coach. “I had a few injuries and this has helped motivate me. I’ve also played right in front of defence more often, where I’ve always enjoyed to be.

JUVENTUS - CAGLIARI - Saturday, May 9th, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Preview: Juventus vs. Cagliari May 7, 2015 Juventus will be looking to maintain their good run of form when they take on Cagliari Calcio in Turin on Saturday evening. The Bianconeri wrapped up the Serie A title last weekend and may have one eye on their Champions League visit to Real Madrid, while their opponents are fighting for survival. Juventus It has been a great week to be a fan of Juventus, with the club enjoying success at home and in Europe, and their hopes of landing a historic treble are still firmly on track. The club finally got their hands on a fourth straight league title last weekend, as Arturo Vidal's header gave them a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria. There was never any doubt that Massimiliano Allegri's side would land the Scudetto and they have been on top of the Serie A table for all but the first three weeks of the season. They have also been able to take their outstanding league form into Europe and they are now just one game away from the Champions League final, after claiming a 2-1 win over holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final clash on Tuesday evening. Alvaro Morata gave the Bianconeri an early lead, before Cristiano Ronaldo headed in the equaliser. However, a second-half penalty from Carlos Tevez means that they have a crucial advantage going into next week's return meeting at the Bernabeu. Due to the magnitude of that tie, Allegri is expected to rest a number of key players this weekend, so the likes of Tevez and Andrea Pirlo will probably begin on the bench. That rotation policy has been evident in recent weeks, but wholesale changes to the starting lineup have contributed to defeats at Parma and Torino. Recent form in Serie A: W L W L W W Recent form (all competitions): W D L W W W Cagliari Cagliari's hopes of staying in the top flight are hanging by a thread, but if their recent form is anything to go by, then they may just have a chance of staying up. They looked dead and buried just a couple of weeks ago and a 3-0 defeat at home to Napoli saw them lose for the ninth time in 11 games and led to Zdenek Zeman being sacked for the second time this season. Former Middlesbrough defender Gianluca Festa was then appointed as their manager and it has signalled a remarkable turn in fortunes. In his first game in charge, the club pulled off a shock 3-1 victory away to Europa League semi-finalists Fiorentina. The Rossoblu were then narrowly beaten by Chievo, but they bounced back to claim a thumping 4-0 win over Parma on Monday evening to move to within six points of Atalanta, with four games of the season left to play. Having lost both of their meetings with Atalanta this season, they cannot afford to finish level on points with the Nerazzurri due to Serie A using the head-to-head records between teams to separate them. It means that Cagliari must pick up at least seven points from their remaining games, but even that may not keep them in the top flight. Few would expect them to earn a result at Juventus, but with home games against Palermo and Udinese to come and a clash with fellow strugglers Cesena, they still have a fighting chance. Recent form: L L L W L W Team News Juventus are expected to make a number of changes to their side ahead of the trip to the Bernabeu. It means that Roberto Pereyra, Alessandro Matri and Simone Padoin could all be handed starts. Meanwhile, Cagliari will have to make do without Daniele Dessena and Paul-Jose M'Poku, who are both serving one-match bans. However, Duje Cop should keep his place in the attack, after scoring three goals in his last three games. Juventus possible starting lineup: Buffon, Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Ceglie, Vidal, Marchisio, Sturaro, Pereyra, Matri, Llorente Cagliari possible starting lineup: Brkic, Pisano, Ceppitelli, Diakite, Avelar, Ekdal, Crisetig, Donsah, Cossu, Cop, Farias Head To Head Juventus made light work of Cagliari when these teams met earlier this season, as they cruised to a 3-1 victory in Sardinia. The Bianconeri have not tasted defeat in their previous 11 games against the Rossoblu, with nine of those meetings ending in victories. There is usually plenty of excitement whenever these teams play each other and there have been 19 goals in their last five clashes. We say: Juventus 2-0 Cagliari Juventus will be heavy favourites to beat Cagliari and it should be a party atmosphere in Turin after last week's title victory. They may not be at full strength, with such a huge game against Real Madrid looming, but we think that Allegri's side should have enough quality to claim the points. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - CAGLIARI - Saturday, May 9th, 2015 - 6:00 p.m. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Juventus call in the kids May 7, 2015 Juventus will pack the banned Curva section with children for Saturday’s game with Cagliari. The south stand was ordered closed for one match as punishment for violence around the Derby della Mole against Torino. The FIGC accepted the proposal to fill the stands with 9,500 children from soccer schools in Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta. This is a repeat of the approach used against Sassuolo in December 2013, again when fans were barred for bad behaviour. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/Calcio/Serie%20A/Juventus/2015/05/05-95934_0/FOTO+Juventus-Real+Madrid%3A+le+emozioni+allo+JStadium http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/_eiOA1DEA5R/Juventus+v+Real+Madrid+CF+UEFA+Champions+League/HAcoC2hL94u

Pogba back in training May 7, 2015 Paul Pogba is back training with the Juventus squad and is expected to play against Cagliari on Saturday. This Serie A fixture is the last chance to get him in shape ahead of next Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final. Juve won the first leg against Real Madrid 2-1 in Turin and travel to the Bernabeu next week. Coach Max Allegri suggested he would only risk playing Pogba in Madrid if he first managed a run-out against Cagliari. A training report from the club’s official website confirmed today Pogba was back in full training with the group, as everyone had a day off on Wednesday. Pogba has been out of action with a torn thigh muscle since facing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final on March 19.

Neymar: ‘Pogba, come to Barça’ May 7, 2015 Brazilian striker Neymar wants Juventus’ Paul Pogba to join him in Catalonia - ‘he’d do well at Barcelona’. The Blaugrana cannot do any business in the summer window due to a transfer ban, but it has nonetheless be suggested that the French midfielder could end up at Camp Nou. “Pogba? He’d be welcomed,” Neymar is reported as saying by SportMediaset. “He’s a fantastic player, he’s younger than me and he’s already reached the top level. He’d do well at Barcelona.” The former Manchester United man is one of the most highly-sought after players in Europe, though Bianconeri general manager Giuseppe Marotta has said they are not looking to sell.

Marchisio: ‘Juve have grown in Europe’ May 7, 2015 Claudio Marchisio believes Juve have ‘grown’ in Europe, and insists they won’t go to the Bernabeu to defend. The Bianconeri need only a draw in Madrid on Wednesday to reach their first Champions League final since 2003, and the midfielder believes this year is the culmination of their work. “We’ve made very important strides this year,” Marchisio told Sky. “If you look back on our journey, we started with defeats to Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid, so it wasn’t easy to get past the group stage. “We’re a compact group, which has grown slowly, culminating in this semi-final, where we showed against Real that we can give anyone a game. “Now we wait to play the return leg, but we’re definitely not going to sit back for 90 minutes in order to go through. We’ll go there with our character and style of play to try to make the final. “This has been a culmination, because in the first [scudetto] year, we didn’t play in the Champions League, the second we managed to reach the quarter-finals and last year, even though we were criticised, we almost made it to the Europa League final in Turin. “Even in that case, there was a path of growth where we got to play big teams and get to the latter stages. “We have to make sure we don’t make the mistake we did in the second leg against Monaco, where we didn’t play, because we’ve been waiting for this, and you can’t do that against Real Madrid. “We have to play openly. Of course, we’ll have to have the right attitude and make sure we’re concentrated because they have great champions. “But we definitely have to go there and play. “The Bernabeu is an iconic stadium with a large crowd, it might not be as fiery as some stadiums, but it’s definitely a beautiful place to play. “Last year, with another Juve, we gave a great performance against Real, we know what to expect and we know what we have to do.”

Juventus Legend Urges Tevez To Remain In Turin May 7, 2015 Former Juventus striker David Trezeguet has sent a message to current front man Carlos Tevez, telling the Argentine not to leave the club this summer. The Bianconeri’s fourth highest all-time goalscorer recently enjoyed a spell with River Plate, whose great rivals Boca Juniors are keen to bring Tevez back to La Bombonera. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, he said: “He has found a happiness here and importantly, he is transmitting that onto the field. He is a player of incredible technical quality. “In the future, I think the club will know best how to handle the situation with him but as a fan of him and his football, I really hope he will stay because he is a very important player.” The Frenchman also offered his thoughts on his old club’s recent thrilling Champions League success against Real Madrid and interestingly praised some of the club’s unsung heroes that have helped them to four successive titles and put them on the verge of a first European final since 2003. “I see a healthy Juventus doing very well. We must say how great the work is that has been done by Andrea Agnelli, Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici which was very important,” Trezeguet offered. “This team has found the desire to do well. “Against Real Madrid, the first leg was extraordinary but we know that the return game will be a different story. I see a team who are focused, organised and with great quality who will go to Madrid with a small lead. “It will be very difficult. The final is the goal and all the mindset should be about at the minute is recovery.”

Marchisio: ‘Difficult every year’ May 7, 2015 Claudio Marchisio denies Juventus have it easy in Serie A - ‘it’s always difficult, every year’. The Bianconeri have won four consecutive Scudetti, with the latest having been wrapped up with four games to spare. “It’s an important Scudetto, like all the others,” Marchisio insisted in an interview with Sky. “It's always difficult, every year, to repeat our success. “With this squad, with the new arrivals and those who have been here since the first title [in 2012] it’s been possible to build a very good group, and we’ve been showing that these last few years. “Winning the Scudetto with a few rounds still to play means we can focus on the cup competitions [Coppa Italia and Champions League]. “Every year we find new ways to give our all, independently of who the Coach is.” The midfielder then discussed his own season, and revealed he enjoys playing in a deeper role. “This year I’ve been lucky, because I’ve had almost no injuries. So that definitely helps, plus I’ve always tried to repay the faith that the Coach has in me. “This year I’ve had more of a chance to play in front of the defence, which I’d tried a few times last year. I’ve always enjoyed it. “This year I’ve been able to hone my skills even more in that role.”

Marotta: ‘Juve will keep Pogba’ May 7, 2015 Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta says the club wants to keep Paul Pogba - ‘our goal is not to weaken the team’. The French midfielder has been linked with clubs across Europe, with the player’s agent Mino Raiola saying this week that ‘all the big clubs are interested’. “Our goal is not to weaken the team, but to strengthen it,” Marotta told Mediaset. “Pogba is someone we want to keep, not sell.” The Bianconeri are having an extraordinary season, with Serie A already won, a Coppa Italia final to play and the Champions League final within reach. Despite this, Marotta says a new contract for Coach Massimiliano Allegri will only be discussed at the end of the season. “He’s intelligent and capable, a winner who has won the Scudetto and reached the Coppa Italia final, he’s doing an extraordinary job. “I’m against having a Coach who’s contract is expiring, we want to make sure there is serenity and trust, and the extension is a formal act which we’ll do when we’ve finished with our important commitments. “After the Coppa Italia and the Champions League, that’s when we’ll meet and talk about the contract, and only then. Allegri has done an outstanding job.”

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Twelve Long Years: Reflections on Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid May 6, 2015 It's been 12 years since Juventus was in a European semifinal, 12 years that have seen titles stripped, a World Cup, and a season in Serie B. Years that have seen the rebirth of Juventus as a winning machine, a team that can play a match of equals against the best that the world has to offer. For me, it was somewhat surreal, Juventus' 2-1 Champions League semifinal win against Real Madrid. Not the opponents, after all it seems like the most successful Spanish and Italian sides meet almost every year, either in the Champions League or some summer friendly. Not even the stage really, as an abstract; after all, Juventus had been here 10 times before Tuesday night. But watching Juve play for a spot in the biggest club game on Earth, I thought about how long it has been, and the struggles and triumphs that the years since 2003 have seen. Battles that have made this team, and her fans, what we are today. Juventus is taking a 2-1 lead into the Champions League semifinal second leg, statistically in a coin flip for a spot in the Final. Historically, the first-leg winner is slightly more likely to advance, according to Spanish statistician Mister Chip by a margin of 287-280. Italian teams have been especially successful in the situation, having won 19 of 25 ties that started this way. The bookmakers also have it as evenly balanced, with odds of around 8/11 for Madrid to qualify, putting the Old Lady at just a hair over even money.* Once it seemed like a good Champions League run might have come sooner, after finishing second that first year back in Serie A. And then there was disappointment, years that the Champions League trophy seemed as far away as the moon, with setback after setback on the field, the bench and in the boardroom. But now Juventus is back. Thanks to people with names like Elkann, Andrea Agnelli, Beppe Marotta, Fabio Paratici, Antonio Conte, and Max Allegri, Juventus is back to a team that can compete with anyone, anywhere. Back in a stadium that we can call our own, one that's among the best in Europe. Back in the semifinals, back to playing Real Madrid where it really counts. This first semifinal leg saw a resilient and dangerous Juventus play Real Madrid in a balanced match that came down to a few incidents, with Madrid's injury list and some strange choices from Carlo Ancelotti playing into Juventus' hands. Sergio Ramos was brought into a midfield missing Luka Modrić, while Gareth Bale tried his luck up top alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Both experiments were resounding failures in this match, with Ramos' move to midfield, and out of defense, especially giving hope to Juventus on the counterattack. Arturo Vidal was at his best as a man possessed in midfield, always both supporting the strikers and the defense. Stefano Sturaro and Claudio Marchisio were quick to pressure all over the field without the ball, and run past their markers when the team had a chance to counter. It was absolutely one of Juventus' best performances of the year, despite a few long passages of Madrid possession. Álvaro Morata and Carlos Tévez caused no end of problems for the Madrid defense, with only Pepe coming out of the game somewhat respectably. In midfield Juventus were organized, disciplined, and more intense than the men in white, but with the technique of players like James Rodríguez, Toni Kroos and company, not to mention Cristiano Ronaldo, it takes very little to concede a goal or two. With the second leg in the Bernabéu just a week away, there is no guarantee that a repeat of this Juventus performance will be enough. Real Madrid clearly have more to give, and it will be fascinating to see how both coaches interpret their tasks. For Juventus fans it's still all to play for, and oh how wonderful it feels.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Schedule, Preview, Predictions for Semi-Final Return Legs May 6, 2015 Juventus and Barcelona will enter the return leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final ties protecting leads against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, respectively, with the Serie A and La Liga leaders hoping to capitalise on their excellent performances and qualify for the final. Barcelona completely dominated Bayern on Wednesday and look like near certainties to make the final, while Juventus will have their work cut out for them as they travel to the Bernabeu with just the one-goal lead. Here's the schedule for the return legs: Tuesday, May 12 - 8:45 p.m. - Bayern Munich - Barcelona (0-3) Wednesday, May 13 - 8:45 p.m. - Real Madrid - Juventus (1-2) Real Madrid v Juventus Real Madrid can't afford to sit most of their key players when they host Valencia during the weekend. Juventus should be well rested―they could use their primavera squad against Cagliari if they wanted―and boosted by the return of midfield ace Paul Pogba, per AS English: AS English @English_AS Paul Pogba returns to training today and hopes to play in Madrid His return would add another body to the Bianconeri midfield that dominated Real, who clearly felt the absence of Luka Modric. With Sergio Ramos looking disastrous as a midfielder, Juventus cruised to a 2-1 win in Turin. Of course, a one-goal lead is never safe, and Real have the kind of attacking firepower to ridicule any club at the Bernabeu. A 1-0 win would even do for Los Blancos, who did manage to score the all-important away goal. Fans shouldn't feel too confident, however. Juventus badly outclassed Real on a tactical level on Tuesday, as reported by Guillem Balague for Sky Sports, and the Italians know how to defend a lead: Sky Sports Football ✔@SkyFootball Tactics to blame for Real Madrid #UCL loss at Juventus, not Gareth Bale With the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Gianluigi Buffon, Juve's defensive area is stacked with experience. Add to that the incredible pair of lungs Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio bring to the table, and Los Blancos will have very little room to operate in. Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata are a deadly duo on the counter-attack―just ask Borussia Dortmund―and will have their opportunities, unless Real can open the score quickly. Right now, this tie could go either way, but with how well Juventus have defended slim leads in this year's Champions League, you have to like their chances. Prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Juventus, Juventus advance. Bayern Munich v Barcelona Barcelona didn't just beat Bayern Munich on Wednesday, they dominated the Bundesliga champions from start to finish and booked an emphatic 3-0 win, a final score that could have been a lot worse had it not been for Manuel Neuer's heroics. The Germany international saved his club for 77 minutes before conceding three goals, with Lionel Messi finally finding the net twice in the span of minutes. Crazier things have happened, but if Barcelona look anything like the team that dominated at the Camp Nou, they'll qualify for the final. The Catalans were special on Wednesday, unlike the Bavarians, who played one of their worst matches of the season. The defence looked shaky, the midfield was overrun and the attackers displayed a general lack of creativity for the full 90 minutes. The situation looks pretty dire for Bayern, but fans still have a glimmer of hope. After all, the Bavarians lost 3-1 in Porto, playing an equally sloppy match, and they bounced back and crushed the Portuguese side 6-1 at home. Barcelona aren't Porto, but the Catalans are still battling for the La Liga title and can't afford to rest too many key players against Real Sociedad, unlike Bayern. Still, turning around a 3-0 deficit against arguably the most in-form attacking team in the world seems impossible. Prediction: Bayern 2-2 Barcelona, Barcelona advance.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Carlo Ancelotti Lost The Plot In Real Madrid’s 2-1 Defeat To Juventus Real Madrid went down to Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final and now need to fight hard in the return leg to make it to the final. May 6, 2015 Juventus achieved the near-impossible as they managed to put up a solid display against Real Madrid on Tuesday. The Italian club won the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with a 2-1 scoreline taking them a step closer to the final. Real Madrid’s performance throughout the game was far from spectacular and The Whites deservedly lost the game. Here are four things we learned from the semi-final encounter. A bad day in the office for Ramos and Bale When Carlo Ancelotti started Sergio Ramos in the midfield for the third consecutive game, you could see he was asking for trouble. The Spaniard did a great job in that position against Atletico, because Simeone’s side prefer to allow their opponents space and time on the ball. However, against Juventus, Ramos showed exactly why he is not a midfielder and the constant pressing from the Italian side was something he just could not deal with. Another player that was played out of his natural position was Gareth Bale. Bale, naturally a winger, was made to play alongside Ronaldo in a 4-4-2 and the Welshman, who was returning from an injury lay-off, could not do justice to the role. Bale failed to take a single shot and none of his crosses reached the desired target. The winger was largely invisible in one of Real’s most important games of the season. Gary Lineker ✔@GaryLineker Sergio Ramos couldn't pass water tonight. Carlo Ancelotti needs a wake-up call When your team is level at half time in the Champions League semi-final despite a below par start to the game, you should thank your stars and make amends. However, Ancelotti once again failed to realise the importance of timely substitutions. Marcelo was having a terrible day and the Brazilian did a shambolic job while defending. Yet Ancelotti did not take him off and overlooked Fabio Coentrao, who definitely offers more than Marcelo in terms of defence. That move proved costly as another one of Marcelo’s mistake led to Juventus’ second goal, which eventually cost them the game. James and Isco were Real Madrid’s silver lining in an overall poor performance by the team. Bale was clearly the poorest man out on the field and it was understandable as he had returned from an injury and straight away made to play out of his natural position. Despite it being evident that the Welshman needed to come off, Ancelotti made the bizarre move of taking Isco off to bring on Chicharito. Isco was showing signs of brilliance throughout the game and could have helped bring Madrid back on level terms but the Spaniard was taken off with almost 30 minutes of game still to be played. Old is gold Andrea Pirlo and Giorgio Chiellini are definitely not the youngest or fastest footballers. Yet, the duo had the most impact in a game full of young and explosive talents. Pirlo was highly effective throughout the game and his calculated passing was accurate and classy. The bearded midfielder had a great game and rarely allowed the Real Madrid midfield to create any chances from the centre. Playing behind Pirlo, it was Chiellini who had the most impact in the game. The central defender did an excellent job and managed to keep one of the world’s best attacking players in check. The Italian was strong in aerial duels and put on a brave show against a formidable attack. Apart from the duo, who did their job at the back, upfront it was Carlos Tevez defying the odds. The former Manchester United striker combined wonderfully with his much younger partner, Alvaro Morata. The pair was responsible for both the Juventus goals and if the Italian side make it to the final, they surely will be the heroes of the tie. The tie is very much alive Juventus have never lost a tie in European competitions after winning the first leg with a 2-1 scoreline. However, that does not mean that the Italian club should be celebrating. In a week’s time they will have to travel to the Bernabeu to play arguably their toughest game of the season. The Bernabeu is not an easy place to win for the visitors. Having conceded an away goal, Juventus will be eliminated if they lose by a 1-0 margin. Having learned his lesson, Ancelotti will not go easy on his former team when they visit the Spanish capital. At their own fortress, Real Madrid play their best football. The second leg promises to be far more exciting and lively than the first and the tie is far from over yet.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Madrid must learn lessons from Juventus defeat - Hernandez The Mexico international is keen to move on from the defeat in Turin on Tuesday and reach the Champions League final. May 6, 2015 Javier Hernandez has called upon his Real Madrid team-mates to learn from Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first-leg loss to Juventus. Alvaro Morata gave Massimiliano Allegri's side an early lead in Turin, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to level for the visitors going into the break, with Carlos Tevez's penalty sealing victory. The Mexico international has no bitterness about starting the game on the bench and is hoping to do his bit to secure a place in the final. "The feeling is negative because we lost the game, but we fought until the end and with a 1-0 in the return leg, we'll get there," he is quoted as saying by AS. "We have to be calm and use this as a lesson because there are no small teams in this competition. "The coach asked us for attitude and what we do in La Liga. They had a great game. We have to try to get back on track. "I've always said you must accept the coach's selection decisions but no one is happy on the bench. "We have to swallow this and think about Valencia, who are also fighting in La Liga." Real Madrid entertain Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu at 19:00 CET on Saturday.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Don't write off Real Madrid - Marcelo The Brazil international insists that Tuesday's defeat by Juventus does not change anything for the reigning European champions and remains hopeful of reaching the final. May 6, 2015 Real Madrid defender Marcelo has warned people not to write off his side after their 2-1 Champions League loss to Juventus on Tuesday. Carlo Ancelotti's men were widely regarded as the favourites ahead of the first leg of the semi-final tie but their poor performance in Turin sees them in real danger of missing out on a spot in the final in Berlin. Nevertheless, Marcelo remains optimistic ahead of the second leg and feels that Madrid still have every chance of turning around the tie. "We weren't the best team of all time before this game, nor are we the worst after it," the Brazil international told the club's official website. "It was a bad result because we wanted to win but it's still wide open and we'll do better in the second leg. "Juventus are a great side; they wanted to have the ball. We didn't have the best performance but we'll have to wait for the second leg. "Our fans always get behind us and support us. We know that the boss has confidence in our ability. We know what we're capable of doing in each match."

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Juve's win over Real Madrid blueprint to break up Europe's ruling class May 6, 2015 We've heard the warnings for years. How football has become all about the one-percenters. The combination of financial fair play, the Bosman ruling and a boom in commercial and stadium revenue that has disproportionately flowed to the big boys have created a lop-sided landscape. The ultra-rich get richer. The rich struggle to keep up. The middle class gets hammered. And the poor? Well, they become invisible. It's hard to deny this. The Deloitte Money League list is imperfect, but it illustrates matters fairly clearly. There are four clubs with revenues north of $545 million in the most recent version: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Paris Saint-Germain aren't far behind in fifth ($533 million), but that figure is artificially boosted by the $200 million Qatari sponsorship, which UEFA rightly treats as a related party transaction, so really the gap with the club in sixth, Manchester City -- who have some related party issues of their own -- is $80 million. And that's huge. It helps explain why Barcelona (four semifinal appearances in the past five years), Real Madrid (five out of five) and Bayern (four out of five) so regularly make the final four of the Champions League. (Manchester United's record here -- one in five -- says plenty about their recent underachievement and their commercial might, to the point that they don't need the Champions League to rake in the cash.) That's why Juventus' 2-1 win against Real Madrid on Tuesday in Turin was so important. It's not the result so much; they could easily get hammered at the Bernabeu next week and go out of the competition. It's the fact that they took on the reigning European champions with no fear and gave as good as they got over the course of 90 entertaining minutes. We've seen teams other than the big scary trio get into the Champions League final four before. The difference is that when they took on the big boys, most did it playing like underdogs. Think of Atletico Madrid last year, or Chelsea in 2011-12. You saw it in this year's quarterfinals too: from Porto to PSG to Atletico, the big boys were faced with a safety-first mentality. Borussia Dortmund were an exception, but that's down to Jurgen Klopp and the magical wonderland he created at the Westfalen in 2012-13. Likewise Juventus went for it, which is exactly what they did not do in the previous round against Monaco when the fear of screwing things up seemed to dominate. Much has been made of Italian clubs' underachievement in Europe over the past decade. Truth be told, with the exception of Carlo Ancelotti's AC Milan, most took to the pitch with anxiety and doubt, looking to defend and pick their spots, rather than impose themselves. It was partly a legacy of the past, when such tactics often did yield results in Europe, particularly for Italian clubs, who excelled at playing that way. But it was partly fear, that age-old malevolent calcio gene whereby if you dominate and lose you're an idiot, but if you park the bus, concede a single goal and fail to create a single chance, well, at least you kept it close. But the game has moved on. Attacking football is generally rewarded. Most teams win titles and qualify for the Champions League not by being defensive, but by being proactive and attacking. That's how they're used to playing. Suddenly making the transition from taking the game to the opposition to battening down the hatches and playing on the counter is extremely difficult. Which is why few manage to do it successfully, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea being a notable exception. Things can get fuzzy when you talk about the mental side of the game. But Juve's result, even if they crash out in Madrid, can truly provide something for the club to build on. There's a confidence and swagger that previously only existed within the confines of Serie A. You only need to go back to some of the histrionics that marred defeat to Benfica in the Europa League semifinal last year to see that. And -- yes, this matters in the world of the one-percenters -- Juve have a platform on which to build and compete with the big boys commercially. For all its ills and recent decline, Serie A still has the second-largest TV contract in the world. Juve actually have a stadium that provides significant matchday revenue. And they have a huge global fan base that provides important sponsorship revenue. The challenge is to move forward intelligently. The good news is that their Champions League revenues will range from $78 million to $90 million this season, a function of their progress and the market pool, far more than any other club. That cash gives the club even more leverage over the future of Paul Pogba. It makes it easier to hang on to him if they so choose or sell him for a king's ransom if the price is high enough. Getting it right will be crucial. With Carlos Tevez, Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Patrice Evra and Andrea Pirlo all the wrong side of 30, the squad will need to be freshened up. But you feel the self-belief and funds are there to do that. This doesn't mean that the game isn't plagued by a "haves and have-nots" problem. It is, and the gap is growing. And Juventus are hardly minnows; they're the most popular club in the European Union's third-biggest economy. What it does mean is that the trio at the very top -- Bayern, Barca, Real -- won't necessarily be up there on their own forever. Manchester United will be back at some point. Chelsea and Arsenal aren't that far away and have the means to do it.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Betting: Real Madrid still favourites for Champions League final despite 2-1 defeat to Juventus Max Allegri's side established a first leg lead over the reigning European champions but the bookmakers still expect Carlo Ancelotti's side to progress to the final in Berlin. May 6, 2015 There was a move for Juventus in the day before the first Champions League semi final got underway and the money proved to be correct as the Italian side rewarded their backers with a 2-1 win in Turin. Real Madrid began the day as favourites to claim a first leg lead at around but they drifted to bigger than during the course of Tuesday while Juventus and the draw both shortened in the betting. It was expected to be a tense, low scoring affair but goalmouth action was the order of the day in a game which was very open and in truth, could have contained several more goals had the quality of both sides' finishing been up to scratch. An early strike from former Real Madrid player Alvaro Morata as well as a Carlos Tevez penalty sandwiched a Cristiano Ronaldo header to give Max Allegri's side a vital 2-1 advantage to take to the Bernabeu for the reverse fixture. William Hill reported that they say nine times as many bets on Los Blancos as they did on the home side in what appears to have been a good evening for the bookmakers despite the late interest in backing the home side before kick-off. Juventus have been cut from to to win the competition but they remain the longest price of the four remaining sides. Real Madrid are just to qualify for the final and face either Barcelona or Bayern Munich who meet in the second semi final. The bookmakers clearly feel that the away goal Carlo Ancelotti's side took from the first meeting could prove decisive on home soil, but their defensive performance certainly raised more questions about Madrid's ability to keep the Italians at bay in the second leg, particularly with Sergio Ramos failing to control the midfield battle in the way Luka Modric has proved so effective at in the past. Juventus are priced at to make their advantage count and secure a place in Berlin with a favourable result from their visit to the Spanish capital. In the outright betting it is Barcelona who lead the way at with Bayern available at while Real Madrid have been pushed out to to retain their European crown.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Marchisio Hoping Pogba Will Make The Difference Against Real Madrid May 6, 2015 Despite his all action display last night in the 2-1 victory over Real Madrid, Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is fully aware that the job of reaching the Champions League final is far from done and is hoping injured team mate Paul Pogba will win his race to be fit for the return leg. The Italy international was one of the stars of the show as the Italians defeated their Spanish opponents yesterday evening, but is still wary of next Wednesday’s second leg tie at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. “I still have some air left in my lungs,” he told the official Juventus website. “But the whole team is in good form. It’s normal for games such as these that the motivation, the energy and desire are there.” As Pogba passed by Marchisio, the midfielder immediately said: “And here’s someone right here, having a laugh and a joke! Let’s hope he’ll be with us next week on the field.” Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez both scored either side of a Cristiano Ronaldo goal, which leaves the Bianconeri with one foot in the Champions League final doorway.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Next stop, Berlin? A superb display means Juventus have a 2-1 lead to defend next week against Real Madrid, as Luca Cetta writes. May 6, 2015 Underdogs? Certainly. In it to make up the numbers? Not a chance. “Juve, you can do it!” screamed yesterday’s Corriere dello Sport. In a first Champions League semi-final since 2003 Juventus proved they belong. A performance Marcello Lippi’s vintage would be proud of sees the Bianconeri hold a slender advantage ahead of next week’s second leg. It was a result that made people stand up and take notice. “No limits” giornalaccio rosa dello Sport led with in response. Roared on by an electric Juventus Stadium crowd, La Vecchia Signora started like a house on fire. She was intense and attack-minded, needing little subtlety as Real’s defence left gaping holes. When Carlos Tevez exploited one such gap who else but Alvaro Morata would be on hand to tap in the opener? He did not celebrate against his former club yet the importance of the goal was paramount. The potential tie-changing moment came as James Rodriguez centred for Cristiano Ronaldo’s close-range header. Asked pre-match what he thought needs to be done to stop Real, Lippi’s response was Juventus had to defend well. With the wealth of talent on display in a black shirt it would require concentration and determination. With Juve stretched the visitors got a goal which will offer belief. It took some time for the home side to get over the shock of conceding. They had, until that point, given their star-studded visitors precious little. Stefano Sturaro then made a crucial intervention to deflect James’ header on to the woodwork. The two times Real worked in and around the Juventus defence led to a goal scored and so nearly a second. But Juve got back to business and proved why they had reached this stage. Real looked defensively vulnerable throughout and cracked early in the second half. Juve broke clear from a Merengues corner and, after Morata was tripped, Tevez had to go it alone. Go he did, winning a penalty from Dani Carvajal’s trip. It could well have been a red card. Arturo Vidal got the Turin giants to this stage by burying his spot-kick against Monaco. This time it was Tevez. The Argentinian netted his 50th goal in a Bianconeri shirt and seventh in 11 Champions League outings with an unerring finish from the spot. Advantage Juve. Perhaps the real surprise was before the match as Massimiliano Allegri gave a first European start to Sturaro. It worked a treat. Intervention from James aside he did not look out of place, showing the steel of a veteran. Maybe he was watching his midfield companions. Vidal gave his best performance of the season. Andrea Pirlo was a tireless worker and Claudio Marchisio a diligent all-rounder. And what of Morata? If there was a point to prove to his former employers he rammed it home. The goal topped a hardworking shift. He said before he would “give anything to win” and took that attitude to the pitch. Approaching the second leg there were enough signs for both sides to suggest confidence in reaching the decider. For Real it’s the away goal. They will need just one to go through and with 23 goals in 11 games this term are more than capable. Karim Benzema returning would be a boost. Juventus could welcome back Paul Pogba in the Spanish capital. Yet with or without the mercurial Frenchman this team is capable of grabbing an away goal. Especially against a side which must score. Aside from those which did go in yesterday, the Turin side had opportunities for a third. Even after defender Andrea Barzagli was added to the mix fellow substitute Fernando Llorente had two opportunities to extend the lead. Carlo Ancelotti’s team struggled to create openings and he bemoaned a lack of space in the final stages. Another repeat defensive display will give Juve a big chance. “I don’t think they are accustomed to playing against such an organised side as us,” Stephan Lichtsteiner commented afterwards. The Bianconeri will have to be at the top of their game once more to keep the wolves at bay. They’ve shown they belong. Now it’s time for Juventus to finish the job and reach Berlin.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Juventus vs. Real Madrid: Tactical Review May 6, 2015 Juventus claimed a precious 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday. Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez scored goals either side of a Cristiano Ronaldo header to give the Bianconeri the advantage. Formations and XIs Juventus went with a 4-4-2 diamond but surprised by including Stefano Sturaro in the lineup at the expense of Roberto Pereyra. He played on the left side with Arturo Vidal up front. Giorgio Chiellini re-entered the starting XI at the expense of Andrea Barzagli. Real Madrid went 4-4-2 with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale up front, leaving Javier Hernandez on the bench. Sergio Ramos played in central midfield again with Pepe in the defensive line alongside Raphael Varane. 1. Real Madrid Width The key to this game for Real Madrid was retaining width. They were always going to have to push their full-backs high up to create it, as their wide men aren't touchline-hugging, chalk-on-the-boots No. 7s and No. 11s. The problem Juve present when playing in a diamond is a near-total blockade of the middle, with the midfield four flattening into a 3-1 shape. The outside CMs spread and the No. 10 harasses the opposing deep-lying midfielder, buzzing about him and preventing ball rotation. It leaves you no choice but to force play to the wings. Marcelo and Dani Carvajal need no invitation to buccaneer forward, and in particular, Carvajal's forays were effective. He was a constant out-ball on the right side and played a part in Real's equaliser. The other key component to shifting the ball wide was to shift it quickly; Los Blancos passed crisply and swiftly at the Vicente Calderon in the first leg and only Jan Oblak was responsible for keeping them out. It can be a sight to behold. Ronaldo's goal saw one-touch football start from the right, releasing James Rodriguez into the box, and the Colombian's clipped cross was headed home. Another move, which saw James hit the bar with a header, was created by switching from right to left, overlapping on the flank and crossing accurately. It works if you do it quick enough. 2. Juventus Counters Of course, pushing on with two strikers and overlapping with your full-backs leaves you open in obvious areas. Carlo Ancelotti perhaps played Ramos at RCM to try and cover the gaps Carvajal would leave, but the stalwart had a shocking game and left huge gaps to exploit. In the first six minutes, Juve engineered three counter-attacks of note and then scored two minutes later as they worked the ball into space quickly. Tevez and Morata, adept at finding room to play in, received early passes out (usually from Arturo Vidal), turned and ran at the defensive line. It was two vs. two or two vs. three with 50 yards to exploit, and Juve's strike partnership combined superbly. Once Real were sufficiently rattled, they started to engage higher up, allowing Tevez to drift into space between the lines and breach the box, and his shot created the opening goal. It was a complete mess from Real defensively, it must be said. For the goal, no midfielder tracked Tevez and Varane was far too late to step out and sidle up to him. Some may apportion some blame to Marcelo too, but he was kept honest and wide by Stephan Lichtsteiner on the flank. 3. Forced, Direct Play vs. Workmanlike Juve Inside the first 20 minutes alone, Real forced direct play as if desperate to play over the top of a defensive line that didn't sit particularly high. One ball over the top caught them out and Ronaldo thrashed a hurried effort wide, but most passes were inaccurate or forced to the extent that there was never truly a chance of them finding a colleague. That tactic, though, could be attributed to the two-man disadvantage Real were facing in midfield. A flat 4-4-2 vs. a diamond saw a clear two vs. four in the central zones, and although James and Isco played narrow, they were at a severe disadvantage. Juve were dogged and determined off the ball too, making their man advantage count out of possession as well as on it. Morata and Tevez worked hard to block the passing lanes from Kroos to the full-backs, and Ramos looked so ruffled he even battered one diagonal firmly out of play under no pressure. That left Real's midfield two with one option: try in behind. The disruption and marking in the centre as Juve's diamond flattened out was superb. As Los Blancos forced passes throughout, the home side's threat on the counter grew. Tevez netted a penalty after a brilliant run where, again, he and Morata were two vs. two. Carvajal was suckered into a silly challenge and the Argentinian netted to reaffirm the scoreline advantage. Bits and Bobs Massimiliano Allegri switched to a 3-5-2 after 60 minutes, replacing Sturaro with Andrea Barzagli. It further solidified their hold in the centre and gave them an extra centre-back body in the box to deal with crosses—of which there were 29 from Real alone, per WhoScored.com. Real kept a 4-4-2 shape throughout, with Bale moving to the right wing when Javier Hernandez replaced Isco. Same shape, same approach, and there was zero service from the Welshman. Vidal deserves immense credit for doing three mens' shifts on the night. He was absolutely everywhere; passing out from the back, starting attacks and spearheading counters. It's a bit late in the day, but your pro player comparison for Morata has to be (peak) Radamel Falcao. Deceptively fast, hardworking, moves into the channels superbly and scores poacher's goals. The second leg is very likely to take a very similar shape; Real need a goal so they will attack, and Juve don't so they'll defend—as is their reflex—and attack via the pace of Tevez and Morata again. It's finely poised.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) Madrid could not cope with superb Juventus, says Lichtsteiner The Switzerland international was overjoyed with his side's win and wants to see more of the same in the second leg at the Bernabeu. May 6, 2015 Stephan Lichtsteiner has voiced his delight with Juventus' 2-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid and feels the Serie A champions' superb organisation made the difference in the first leg of the semi-final tie. Alvaro Morata gifted Juventus the lead early on before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised. However, Carlos Tevez eventually helped Massimiliano Allegri's men to a vital home win with his second-half strike. Lichtsteiner was overjoyed with his side's performance and has called for a repeat in the second leg. "We definitely gave them a tough time. I don’t think they’re used to playing against an organised team like us," the Switzerland international told reporters. "We can be happy with the performance and result, we put in a fine display. "Madrid possess top players who can make the difference if you don’t stay alert. It’s impressive how good they are, but we were excellent. "It’s important we show more of the same in Madrid." The return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu will take place on May 13.

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) GIGI BUFFON: ‘JUVENTUS V REAL WAS LIKE A BOXING MATCH’ May 6, 2015 Gianluigi Buffon believes Juventus proved themselves against Real Madrid while comparing the game to a boxing match. The Bianconeri edged ahead of Real Madrid in a 2-1 victory in the first lef of the semi-final in Turin. “We could’ve won 3-1 and they could’ve equalised for 2-2, so with a clear head – which I don’t have right now! – we are happy,” the captain told Sky Sport Italia. “The important thing tonight was to prove we could play the Champions of Europe on level terms. I think even 1-1 would’ve been acceptable. “It was a bit like a boxing match, we took turns hitting each other, and I expect the second leg will be similar. “Real Madrid are a great team, but at this level even though on paper they are stronger than us, we can challenge them in terms of hunger, enthusiasm and athleticism. “The great thing about football is that the strongest don’t always win. In the short term the best on the night win, in the long-term it’s the strongest overall who win.” Buffon was kept on his toes for much of the game and had to perform a smart stop on toni Kroos. “It was a save that let’s say had an elevated level of difficulty,” he smiled. Gigi was also questioned on why he turned his back during Carlos Tevez’ all important penalty. “I’ve been doing that since the 2006 World Cup Final. I just focused on a single Italy fan and when he got up, I knew we’d scored!”

JUVENTUS - REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Álvaro Morata (8') Cristiano Ronaldo (27') Carlos Tévez (57' - Penalty) Semi-final - 1st leg Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Martin Atkinson (England) ALLEGRI: ‘VICTORY WAS THE RIGHT REWARD FOR JUVENTUS’ May 6, 2015 Juventus coach Max Allegri praised his team’s performance against Real Madrid declaring the win ‘the right reward that they deserved.’ Speaking after his sides 2-1 victory against the current title holders, Allegri gave credit to his players while discussing his change in tactics. “I am very happy with what the lads did. This is the right reward that they deserved, as it’s not easy to reach the Champions League semi-final and especially to play against Real Madrid,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia. “We played with great intensity and allowed Real Madrid very little, but could’ve done better in the pace of creating our play in the first half. “It’s a shame, as we could’ve done better with the Llorente chance, but I’d have been happy beforehand to get a win over Real Madrid. “Now we can prepare for a week and can fight it out in Madrid.” Allegri began the game with 4-3-1-2 but switched to a 3-5-2 after Juve went ahead and he was asked which system he would use in Madrid. “You’re asking too much! The game just ended! I think tonight the lads defended very well with four, though it was not easy to leave Andrea out. I had to make a choice and he did great coming off the bench. “With Bonucci booked, I had to take fewer risks and have another defender near him.” Perhaps the surprise of the night was Stefano Sturaro who was handed his first Champions League start at just 22 years-old. “I made this choice because, Pereyra can change the game off the bench and Sturaro was in good shape. I needed someone with legs to help the defence. “The lads did very well to defend with four in midfield and then to take turns blocking Sergio Ramos. “The players know I am very demanding on control and the passage of play, so I feel we could’ve done better in the first half to pass it around quickly and get the ball between the Real Madrid midfielders. “That doesn’t take away from the fact they did very well and I am very happy with what they are doing. “We started the Champions League in a certain way and it’s different to Serie A, we need to face these games with more calm and maturity. It’s practically impossible to press a team for 90 minutes and they can score in 10. “It’s important to read the game, know when it’s time to slow down, time to step up the pace and change gear. The team has definitely improved on that.”