Juve take first leg 2-1

Article by AP

TURIN, Italy (AP) – So that’s it. Juventus will travel to Madrid for the Champions League semi-final second leg next Wednesday nursing a 2-1 lead.

That leaves Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri with a big question: stick or twist?

Seeking to defend such a narrow lead at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium will only invite Madrid on. Preventing Cristiano Ronaldo, who got his 76th Champions League goal on this enthralling Tuesday night in Turin, from scoring for 90 minutes at home is a massive challenge, even for defence-minded Italians.

Based on tonight’s performance, the better option would be to take the game to Carlo Ancelotti’s team, look for an early away goal as Juventus did here, and then hold on.

Intriguing stuff.

Former Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata came back to haunt his old club as he sent Juventus on their way to a 2-1 victory over the holders in the first leg.

Morata, who moved to Juventus in the offseason shortly after helping Madrid to a record 10th Champions League title, didn’t celebrate after scoring the opening goal in the ninth minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the competition’s all-time top scorer with Madrid’s equaliser in the 27th minute but his former Manchester United teammate Carlos Tevez restored Juventus’ lead from the spot shortly before the hour after being brought down by Dani Carvajal.

Juventus will continue the bid to reach their first final since 2003 in the return leg in Madrid on May 13.