Juve lesson a wake-up call for Real: Karembeu

dubai — Former French international Christian Karembeu said that Real Madrid’s loss to Juventus would serve as a wake-up call for the Los Blancos and said that will spur them on to win a third Champions League on the trot.

Real Madrid, who are eyeing an unprecedented three Champions League titles on the bounce, were given more than a fright by Italian giants Juventus in the return leg of their quarterfinals at the Santiago Bernabeu. Zidane’s side had taken a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, which included that spectacular goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.

But it all came to nothing as Juventus took a leaf out of AS Roma to conjure a spirted fightback by scoring three to leave the fixture tantalisingly poised. But a stoppage time penalty awarded by English referee Michael Oliver for Medhi Benatia’s foul on Lucas Vazquez saw Ronaldo score from the spot and help Real Madrid escape.

And Karembeu, who spent three seasons with Real Madrid, said that the events of the quarterfinal was a vital lesson and added that they can still go on and win the European competition.

“100 percent,” Karembeu said of Real Madrid’s chances this season. Karembeu was talking on the sidelines of the Hublot Match of Friendship at the Dubai Opera Garden.

Karembeu said that a big club like Real Madrid were meant to be in the Champions League. “I think that the club is built to have the DNA to be in the Champions League. Last time you saw that the Champions League is not anymore easy, to anybody to anyone. You saw that with Barcelona, you saw that with Paris Saint Germain. We saw again with (Manchester) City and of course (Real) Madrid against Juve (Juventus). We saw that anything can happen. I think it was a great lesson for Real Madrid to think that they have not won it yet but have the hope that they can win a third in a row,” felt Karembeu.

james@khaleejtimes.com

The club is built to have the DNA to be in the Champions League Christian Karembeu