Juventus set up final with Barca Ancelotti’s Real future cloudy

Madrid, May 14: Juventus will face Barcelona in the Champions League final after Alvaro Morata came back to haunt former club and holders Real Madrid with the precious away goal in a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their semifinal on Wednesday to progress 3-2 on aggregate.

With Juventus leading 2-1 from the first leg, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half penalty had put the hosts ahead on away goals.

However, Morata, who left Madrid for the Italian champions last July, struck the vital blow when he volleyed home Paul Pogba’s knockdown on 57 minutes to take Juventus to their first final in 12 years in Berlin on June 6.

The final will see Barca’s Luis Suarez face Giorgio Chiellini, whom he was banned four months for biting at the World Cup, and Patrice Evra, whom he was charged with racially abusing during their time at Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.

If the club are happy with what I have done in these two years then I will stay. I would like to remain here but I know how things are in football and the club have the right to change the coach if they want to — CARLO ANCELOTTI Real coach puts on a brave front after his

side exited the Champions League

Soaring temperatures of over 30 degrees celsius didn’t prevent a frantic start to the match as the hosts went looking for the goal they needed from the off.

Gareth Bale had the first chance as he headed over Marcelo’s cross before Karim Benzema blasted off target from a narrow angle having turned Stephan Lichtsteiner brilliantly inside the area.

The unrelenting Madrid pressure continued as Bale’s piledriver was brilliantly turned behind by Gianluigi Buffon.

However, there was nothing the Italian captain could do to prevent Ronaldo registering his 10th goal in Champions League semifinals from the spot after James Rodriguez had been felled by Chiellini midway through the half. — AFP