Estadio Santiago Bernabéu – Madrid 13/05/2015
Real Madrid 1-1 Juventus
Juventus through to first final in 12 years with
draw at Real Madrid
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty gives Madrid the
lead on the night (23)
• Former Madrid striker Álvaro Morata scores
Juve’s crucial goal (57)
• Madrid become latest side to fail to defend
UEFA Champions League
• The final will take place at Berlin’s
Olympiastadion on 6 June
Álvaro Morata returned to the Santiago Bernabéu
to score the goal that took Juventus into a first
final since 2003 and ended Real Madrid CF’s
hopes of becoming the first side to defend the
trophy in the UEFA Champions League era.
Facing a semi-final first-leg deficit, Madrid were
on the front foot from the outset and were
rewarded midway through the first half as James
Rodríguez won a penalty that Cristiano Ronaldo
slotted in. However, Juve responded strongly after
half-time and ex-Madrid forward Morata fired
them level shortly before the hour. Thereafter
some determined defending ensured the Italian
champions reached their eighth European Cup
final, and first since 2003.
Beaten 2-1 in Turin , Madrid – who had been
pressed back from the first whistle last week –
seized the initiative from the off with Gareth Bale
heading narrowly over within the first 40 seconds.
Karim Benzema – making his first appearance in
a month following a knee injury – showed good
control to create space for a shot, only to blaze
over before Ronaldo’s deflected free-kick landed
on the top of the net.
Although Arturo Vidal’s low effort forced a
sprawling Iker Casillas into action for the first
time, the main threat continued to come from
Carlo Ancelotti’s team, Benzema springing the
offside trap. His cross was scrambled clear before
Gianluigi Buffon pushed away Bale’s dipping 25m
attempt.
With 22 minutes on the clock, the Bianconeri
cracked as Giorgio Chiellini was adjudged to have
fouled James. Ronaldo had missed a penalty in
Saturday’s Liga draw against Valencia CF but
held his nerve from the spot this time, clipping
the ball over the diving Buffon.
The visiting No1 twice foiled Benzema before the
break to keep Massimiliano Allegri’s side in
contention, first saving a header before blocking a
low strike at the near post. Ronaldo also went
close, outpacing the defence but ruffling only the
side netting.
Claudio Marchisio and Marcelo both sent shots
whistling wide in the early stages of the second
period, although now it was Juventus looking to
show greater attacking intent. That was borne
out as Madrid failed to clear Andrea Pirlo’s free-
kick and Paul Pogba’s powerful leap knocked the
ball on to Morata, who rifled beyond Casillas.
The onus was immediately back on Madrid and a
slick passing move involving James and Marcelo
unlocked the away defence; under pressure, Bale
volleyed wide. Juve, however, were holding firm
and they might have put the tie beyond Madrid as
Vidal slipped a pass through to Marchisio;
Casillas came to Madrid’s rescue.
James drove centimetres over Buffon’s crossbar
before Bale rose to meet Ronaldo’s centre at the
far post; again his aim was fractionally too high.
Juventus, though, defended with discipline and
determination and carried an incisive threat on
the counterattack. They passed up another golden
opportunity with two minutes left as Fernando
Llorente found Pogba inside the box. Casillas
palmed the effort away, but Madrid were not
spared for long.
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