Morata sends Juventus into Champions League final

Real Madrid 1 - 1 Juventus (Juventus win 3-2 on aggregate)

Spanish hopes of an 'El Clasico' Champions League final were thwarted by the champions of Italy, Juventus last night. Their battling draw in the Bernabeu ensured that it will be them and not Real Madrid who contest this year's final in Berlin against Barcelona. Former Real striker Alvaro Morata scored a second-half equaliser for the Italian giants to knock the holders out 3-2 on aggregate. It will be Juve's first appearance in the final of Europe's elite competition since 2003.

High expectations of home side

Although Real trailed their Italian opponents 2-1 after the first leg, the 78,000 fans who packed into the iconic Bernabeu would have no doubt been expecting a backlash from the expensively assembled Galacticos.

So much was expected from the £300 million plus worth of talent that they included in their starting line-up, as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez all took the field.

Real go ahead on away goals

With the home side welcoming back Karim Benzema to lead the line, they had attacking threat throughout their ranks. It seemed to pay off initially, as Real took the lead midway through the first-half, levelling the scores on aggregate. A somewhat needless foul on James Rodriguez in the area by Giorgio Chiellini, resulted in a penalty that Ronaldo dispatched with aplomb. 'Stick or twist' time for the home side, as they went ahead in the tie on the away goal rule.

Juventus level on the night

Juventus were not about to be dominated by their hosts and fired themselves back level on the night through Morata.

Just twelve minutes of the second-half had expired, when he shot into the ground and past goalkeeper Iker Casillas. As a former Real player, Morata chose not to celebrate the goal, matching his reaction after scoring in the first leg. Real's mind was now made up, they had to score at least once to prolong their interest in the competition.

Holders push on but Juve hold firm

Despite creating several chances to get themselves back into the contest, Real found the Italians in typically resilient mood. Yet, both Bale and Rodriguez squandered their opportunities to push the tie into an extra thirty minutes. The visitors could and probably should have made the game safe themselves late on, but Claudio Marchisio's shot was brilliantly saved by Real's keeper Iker Casillas.

It mattered little in the final analysis as Juventus held on for a famous (overall) victory.

Juventus take on more Spanish flair

So it will be Juventus who take on La Liga's champions elect in the form of Barcelona on 6^th June. Can their defensive solidity staunch the potent, South American threat from Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar? Judging by their display against Real they must have a decent chance, although the favourites will no doubt be the Spanish side.

The future for Real Madrid's personnel?

The disappointment of going out at the semi-final stages will no doubt lead to calls for Real's manager Carlo Ancelotti to go. Expectations are forever high in Madrid and failure is not commonly rewarded.

Likewise, the speculation will be rife about their star players' futures, especially Ronaldo and Bale. Winning the Spanish title would ease those pressures slightly, but it seems unlikely at present. They trail Barcelona by four points and seem destined to finish as runners-up.