juventus believe in final chances
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Alvaro Morata:

Juventus believe in final chances

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice Juventus believe in final chances

Juventus forward Alvaro Morata (R)
Milan - Arab Today

Former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata believes Juventus can put their comparatively poor Champions League record behind them and squeeze past the record 10-time winners and into this year's final.

Juventus host Real in Turin on Tuesday in the first leg of a semi-final that is likely to confirm, or dispel the theory the Italians are the weakest side in the competition.

On paper, Real are already streets ahead.

While Real swept city rivals Atletico aside 4-1 to claim their 10th crown last year, Juventus were ousted from the semi-finals of the Europa League by Benfica having failed to make it past the Champions League group stages.

Indeed, the last time Juve claimed the last of their two trophies from the competition was in 1996, when they ousted Real in the quarter-finals before dominating Ajax in the final after a penalty shoot-out.

Despite Juventus also losing five finals, the gulf between the sides in terms of trophies remains immense but Madrid-born Morata said Juventus's belief they can go all the way remains intact.

"The fact Juventus haven't won the Champions League in a long time doesn't count for anything.

"We're in contention right now and we're totally focused on the job," said Morata, who switched the Bernabeu stadium for Turin last year despite being given increased playing time by former coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"We want to win the title. We're in the semi-finals and we've already shown we're among the four best sides in Europe. Let's hope we make it to the final two."

It has been yet another successful season for the Italian giants, who have secured their fourth consecutive Serie A crown with four games to spare and will face Lazio in the June 7 Italian Cup final.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri was quick to bring his players back to earth after their celebrations following a 1-0 win at Sampdoria on Saturday.

But the 48-year-old also stressed that the opportunity to defy the competition's most successful side is there to be seized.

"On Tuesday we're up against a formidable side with really good players to whom you can't give an inch," said Allegri.

"But this tie will be played over 180 minutes and we have to fully realise the chance we have to make it to the final."

Real, who had Cristiano Ronaldo's 29th hat-trick to thank for a 3-2 win over Sevilla at the weekend, could become the first side since AC Milan in 1990 to defend the European title.

But recent injury absences mean Ancelotti could be forced into some reshuffling.

Attacking midfielder Luka Modric remains sidelined with knee ligament damage and while Karim Benzema (knee) only returned to training on Sunday, there was good news with Gareth Bale returning from a calf problem that allowed him to play the final half hour against Sevilla.

Bale's return to the starting line-up could see Javier Hernandez dropped and Ronaldo playing more as a centre-forward with James Rodriguez and Bale on either side.

Due to Benzema and Bale's recent absences, Ancelotti has used defender Sergio Ramos in midfield -- a ploy that has worked to good effect and could be repeated on Tuesday.

Mexican international Hernandez said Juventus are not taking the Italians for granted, but admits he is desperate to match the achievement of Morata -- who won the Champions League with Real last year -- in claiming a winners' medal this time around.

"We need to go step-by-step because Berlin (the venue for the final) is still a long way off. We know that Juventus will be a very difficult opponent and we will do our best to make it to the final," said Hernandez.

"I have played in the Champions League for five years and got to a final which, unfortunately, I couldn't win (United v Barcelona in 2011).

"To lift that trophy is something that every footballer dreams of, but all that we are thinking about now is Juventus."
Source: AFP

 

GMT 08:04 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Smith rejects ball-tampering suggestions

GMT 07:36 2018 Monday ,22 January

Kane strikes but Spurs drop points

GMT 07:29 2018 Monday ,22 January

Golf: Garcia stamps class in Singapore

GMT 07:08 2018 Monday ,22 January

Napoli edge Atalanta to extend Serie A lead

GMT 09:31 2018 Sunday ,21 January

Impey steals surprise Tour Down

GMT 05:33 2018 Saturday ,20 January

Kyrgios topples idol Tsonga in electric clash

GMT 05:31 2018 Saturday ,20 January

calls for greater Slam prize money

GMT 07:43 2018 Friday ,19 January

to host WTA Finals until 2028
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

juventus believe in final chances juventus believe in final chances

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

juventus believe in final chances juventus believe in final chances

 



GMT 07:24 2017 Thursday ,09 February

Drugmaker Teva says Israel probing kickback allegations

GMT 18:19 2012 Friday ,18 May

Hot weather to continue during weekend in UAE

GMT 03:34 2012 Saturday ,08 September

Mitsubishi motors’ outlander phev

GMT 15:20 2017 Saturday ,09 September

'Monster' Irma roars towards Florida

GMT 19:27 2015 Thursday ,01 October

Double Dutch barred in Amsterdam brothels

GMT 09:12 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Joy and hope in Liberia as George Weah sworn in

GMT 16:07 2016 Wednesday ,10 August

Rousseff impeachment in focus

GMT 12:49 2018 Thursday ,11 January

Macron urges European unity

GMT 15:16 2016 Wednesday ,08 June

EU Presents new aid to stop African Migrants influx

GMT 10:51 2017 Wednesday ,24 May

ADEC suspends registration of new students

GMT 19:19 2016 Thursday ,22 December

Lebanon the ‘post-Aleppo’ government

GMT 06:47 2018 Thursday ,04 January

Norway suspends arms exports to UAE over Yemen war

GMT 06:38 2017 Tuesday ,21 November

Putin and Assad met in Sochi

GMT 05:27 2017 Monday ,14 August

TRA to host 75th RIPE meeting in October
 
 Emirates Voice Facebook,emirates voice facebook  Emirates Voice Twitter,emirates voice twitter Emirates Voice Rss,emirates voice rss  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

emiratesvoieen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen
emiratesvoice emiratesvoice emiratesvoice
emiratesvoice
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice