Juventus Knock Out Real Madrid To Reach First Champions League Final Since 2003

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Sports News Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

Juventus will meet Barcelona in the Champions League final after Alvaro Morata scored against his former club to knock holders Real Madrid out.

Real trailed 2-1 from the first leg but levelled on aggregate through Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty after James Rodriguez was caught by Giorgio Chiellini.

A first ‘El Clasico’ final looked on the cards until Morata fired into the ground and past Iker Casillas.

Gareth Bale and Rodriguez went close but Juventus held on.

While Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri will deservedly win praise for leading the Italians to their first Champions League final since 2003, questions are likely to be raised about the future of Real manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Trailing Barcelona by four points in the Spanish title race, Real face ending the season with only one trophy – the Fifa Club World Cup.

And it was a player Ancelotti – who managed Juve from 1999-2001 – allowed to leave who ended his hopes of retaining the title they won in Lisbon last season.

Morata, who also scored in the first leg, again refused to celebrate after his 57th-minute goal proved decisive.

BBC