Real Madrid 1-1 Juventus: Player Ratings
Juventus will travel to Berlin for the Champions League finals after holding Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at Santiago Bernabau. Real Madrid's positive start on the night was paid off as Rodriguez was brought down in the box, from which Cristiano Ronaldo scored to give Real the edge early on in the match.
But in the second half, former Real player Morata scored yet again in the tie to turn the tide in the match. With Real missing chance after chance in the second half, the game finished 1-1. Hence, Juventus who won the first leg 2-1, progress to the finals 3-2 on aggregate to face Barcelona.
Let us look at how the players performed on the night:
Real Madrid
Iker Casillas - 7/10
It was a decent performance from Cassilas on the night. He did well to save the shots or collect the crosses which Juventus threw at him. His crucial save in the second half kept Real in the game.
Dani Carvajal - 6.5/10
He went forward regularly to offer a major threat in his flank. His deliveries in the box was dangerous. He also did well while defending.
Sergio Ramos - 6/10
Ramos looked more like his former self after being deployed in his favourite centre-half position. He did well to hold the fort at the back. He could have done better in the build-up to Juve's goal.
Raphael Varane - 6.5/10
He was resolute in defending on the night. He did well to clear the crosses or block the shots which Juve directed at him.
Marcelo - 7/10
It was a far better performance for the Brazilian compared to his first leg performance. He was one of Real Madrid's main attacking threats on the night with his surging runs. He also defended decently.
Toni Kroos - 6.5/10
He did well to dictate the game with his neat passing. Apart from few wayward passes, Kroos's distribution was impressive on the night. Also helped his defenders well.
James Rodriguez - 7/10
Rodriguez was at the heart of many things Real did good on the night. He also did a very good job in the defensive front.
Isco - 6/10
Isco supported his teammates well with a lively performance. His touches and turns were at times brilliant, but his final ball or shot let him down a couple of times.
Gareth Bale - 6/10
A much improved performance by Bale on the night, compared to his first leg performance. He was a constant threat for Juve defenders with his crossing and shooting. He however faded away in the second half and missed chance after chance.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 7.5/10
Ronaldo scored with a well taken penalty. He had couple more opportunities during which his final pass or shot let him down. Nonetheless, his pace was a huge asset for Real in many counter attacks. He set up a delightful chance for Bale, which the Welsh international missed in the second half.
Karim Benzema - 7/10
Benzema's return was a huge plus for Real Madrid. He proved to be a good target man up front. His link-up play with the frontmen was really good. He could have had a goal if not for Buffon.
Substitutes
Javier Hernandez (67') - 5/10
After coming on for Benzema, the Mexican did well to help Real maintain the momentum. However he couldn't do much to change the outcome of the game.
Juventus
Gianlugi Buffon - 7.5/10 (Man of the match)
It was a solid performance from the Italian keeper. He made some great saves and also was effective in clearing or collecting crosses which was thrown at him.
Stephen Leichsteiner - 6.5/10
He went forward at the limited opportunities he had to trouble Real's defence. He was also composed in defending.
Leonardo Bonucci - 7.5/10
He had a solid game at the back of the defence. Bonucci intercepted and blocked many Real attacks on the night.
Giorgio Chiellini - 7/10
It was from his foul that Real won the penalty which was converted by Ronaldo. Apart from it, he defended well by forming a good partnership with Bonucci.
Patrice Evra - 6.5/10
Evra produced a tireless performance by regularly going up and down the pitch. He also defended well. Especially his crucial header in the second half to deny Bale latching on was a priceless bit of work.
Andrea Pirlo - 6/10
Pirlo was not at his usual best. His long range passes were easily cut off by Madrid. Nonetheless, most of Juve's passing moves went through Pirlo and he did well to maintain the momentum.
Claudio Marchisio - 6.5/10
He did a very good job on the defensive front. His passing was also good on the night. However, he missed a sitter in the second half to seal the contest.
Paul Pogba - 6/10
He saw plenty of ball, but was not able to make much with it as his final pass let him down. However, it was from his layback that Morata grabbed the goal.
Arturo Vidal - 7.5/10
It was a lively performance by the Chilean on the night. He provided a tireless performance and was at the heart of many things Juve did well. He set up Marchisio with a great chance, which the Italian missed. Vidal was also effective in defending.
Alvaro Morata - 7.5/10
Morata yet again scored against his former side. After being anonymous for most parts of the first half, Morata scored Juve's only goal on the night with a sharp piece of work.
Carlos Tevez - 6/10
Tevez was not able to make the same kind of impact he had managed to create in the first leg. Nevertheless he never stopped running and was alway at his opponents’ toes.
Substitutes
Andrea Barzagli (79') - 6/10
He was brought on to hold the slender advantage and Barzagli did just to help his team see out the game.
Fernando Llorente (84') - N/A
Though he didn’t have much time, he helped his team hold up the ball, and also set up Pogba for a late chance, but the Frenchman's shot was saved by Casillas.
Roberto Pereyra (89') - N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.