Come in number nine - Juve star Morata shows Madrid what they're missing

COMMENT: The former Madrid front man haunted his old side with an excellent display in attack as the Serie A champions won in Turin

 By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent

If Real Madrid were missing one thing on Tuesday it was the guy doing most of the damage for Juventus as the Italian side recorded a thrilling 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in Turin.

Alvaro Morata’s impact on the Bianconeri in his 78-minute display would have been noteworthy whatever the state of Madrid’s attack, but the lack of a viable focal point for the visitors only underlined the huge difference the Spaniard’s transfer has made to both clubs.

While Carlo Ancelotti didn’t trust Javier Hernandez enough to give him a starting shirt, the loss of Karim Benzema to injury left the former Juventus boss without a recognised number nine. Yet at the other end of the pitch, the man they sold to the Italian champions for €20 million last summer was busy giving a demonstration of his ability to change a game at the business end of a Champions League season.

Not only did Morata net the first goal of the game, turning home Iker Casillas’ weak parry from Carlos Tevez’s original shot, but he also delivered a classic prima punta performance.

With his back to goal, the 22-year-old took pressure off his side at vital times and brought team-mates into play. In the channels, he carried the ball with belief and with verve. And in front of goal, he was sharp and dangerous. When he did find the back of the net, he would have had every right to celebrate joyously in front of the Real Madrid bench. His humility in deciding not to rub it in was just another plus point from his performance.

"I never said a bad word about Real Madrid. I'm very fond of them," Morata told TVE after the game. "Some people are looking for things that are not there.

"I always said I would not celebrate if I scored because I always want Real to win when I am not playing against them. I am grateful to the coach and the club but I am with Juventus, and they are my club now."

If anything, Juve didn’t leave Morata on quite long enough. As Madrid pushed for a second equaliser late on, Fernando Llorente’s lack of pace meant the Bianconeri didn’t cash in on a glaring opportunity to double their advantage.

Player Stats — Álvaro Morata

• General

  Minutes Played

  78

  Touches

  41

  Duels won

  60%

  60%

  Aerial duels won

  100%

  100%

  Interceptions

  1

• Attack

  Goals

  1

  Total Shots (exc. blocked shots)

  2

  Shots On Target

  2

  Shots from inside the box

  0

  Shots from outside the box

  1

• Defence

  Total Tackles

  1

  Tackles Won

  100%

  100%

  Clearances

  1

  Blocks

  0

• Distribution

  Total Passes

  21

  % of Passes Long

  0%

  0%

  Passing Accuracy

  71%

  71%

  Total Crosses

  0

  Succesful crosses

  0%

  0%

  Shot Assists

  0

  Goal Assists

  0

• Discipline

  Fouls Won

  3

  Yellow Cards

  0

  Fouls Conceded

  1

  Red Cards

  0

Moments later the former Athletic Bilbao man missed an even greater chance from three yards out. One got the feeling that Morata would have lapped up at least one if not both of those openings, and that would really have left Madrid in a hole.

Morata wasn’t Juventus’ only hero, though. Tevez, predictably, had a big say in both goals, while Arturo Vidal looks back to somewhere near his very best and Andrea Pirlo continues to confound the passing of time. At the back, Giorgio Chiellini once again finished a game modelling a blood-stained headband, such is his constant will to fight for the cause.

Madrid are still the favourites to reach a second successive final having pocketed an away goal to soften the damage. But not only do they need Benzema back in time for next Wednesday’s return game at the Bernabeu, they will also have to manage Morata and Tevez much more ably than in Turin.

Juve have the edge thanks to Alvato Morata, and right now Real Madrid will be cursing the day they let him leave.