Source: SNAPPA
10 observations as Juventus reached the Champions League final
Juventus are through to the Champions League final! They’ll be facing Barcelona in Berlin, after beating Real Madrid 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-final.
Here’s a few things we noticed during the match.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo is great, obvs, but his decision making needs some work
Of all the times for #CR7 to be unselfish, that wasn't it. #RealJuve
— Blaynos (@Blaynos14) May 13, 2015
Ronaldo had just scored from a penalty when Madrid got through on the break. Karim Benzema tore down the pitch and waited calmly for Ronaldo to overlap him. The goal was gaping for the Portuguese, but instead of shooting, something everyone inside the stadium expected him to do, he tried to square it. It didn’t work.
2. You can’t help but feel sorry for Gareth Bale
Feel gutted for #Bale. He just doesn't seem himself anymore! #RealJuve
— Sim-El (@OfficialKieshaC) May 13, 2015
No matter your club affiliation, you probably want to see Bale doing well for Madrid – he seems like a genuinely nice guy, he’s clearly very talented, and it’s not often a Brit gets the chance to play for Los Blancos.
But, every time you see him play you’re left despairing. His performance this evening was a thousand times better than the one he gave in the first leg, but he missed a handful of chances – including one which was identical to the Champions League final goal he scored last year.
To be honest, he doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself much any more. Jamie Carragher said after the game: “It’s not his ability, it’s his character,” and we’d be inclined to agree – when Ronaldo wants the ball, he demands it. If he doesn’t get it, he throws a strop. Can you imagine Bale doing that? No, and maybe that’s the difference.
3. We know the real reason Giorgio Chiellini gave away a penalty
Chiellini giving away the penalty, anything to avoid another meeting with Luis Suarez. #RealJuve
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 13, 2015
Jokes on you, Chiellini! You’re going to the Champions League final!
4. Paul Pogba wasn’t at his best, but he’s still an incredibly exciting prospect
Pogba getting into his stride is an awesome sight. What a player.
— Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) May 13, 2015
There’s probably nobody happier than Man United fans that Pogba didn’t put in a world-beating performance tonight, given his exit from their club at an early age. That doesn’t mean he’s not capable though, as he showed over the past few seasons and last summer at the World Cup, but will he be at Juventus next season?
Every fan wants him at their club, and it’s also probably true of the managers of the clubs they support.
i want Pogba SO bad, pls Wenger pls somehow get him
— tina (@christina_gress) May 13, 2015
While I'm at it….can someone explain to me WTH Sir Alex was thinking re: Pogba?! #Juventus #Stud
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 13, 2015
Paul Pogba is ridiculously good. Plz come to Chelsea.
— Zach Whitman (@zjwhitman) May 13, 2015
5. Toni Kroos doesn’t get enough credit
Long diagonals to RBRooney/Gerrard play 2-3 such balls in a game,n all the commentators droolKroos is hitting 1 every 2 mins #RealJuve
— Aaah – Niii – Ssshh (@anish_waghray) May 13, 2015
Usually Luka Modric and Kroos keep the Madrid engine ticking over for the players around them – but Modric has had an injury-plagued season. Kroos played a blinder today. You can tell because when most players in the holding midfield role have a performance like that, it goes unnoticed.
He was spraying balls all over the place, as well as keeping the ball moving between the midfield. His team may have lost but it’s one he can be proud of.
6. Where’s Eden Hazard when you need him?
Eden Hazard would have sorted that ball boy out #RealJuve
— Gavin Branch (@Gavlarr88) May 13, 2015
Madrid are known for having obnoxious players, but we didn’t realise that also extended to their ball boys.
One ball boy refused to give Patrice Evra the ball back in the first half, and the internet didn’t like it. They did, however, have a theory for why.
Makes sense now :) #RealJuve pic.twitter.com/Fg9ZrIK2L4
— Football Tips (@footballtips) May 13, 2015
7. The camera man tonight didn’t go unnoticed
Ronaldo's eyes. Buffoons eyes. Ronaldo's eyes. Buffoons eyes.
Like a western.
Lovely directing for that free kick. #RealJuve #RMAJUV
— Sean Verity (@SeanPaulV) May 13, 2015
For a moment it felt like the channel had changed to a Bollywood film, as the cameraman cut between Ronaldo and Buffon’s faces. Ronaldo was lining up a free-kick, and it didn’t escape anyone just how tense the cameraman was trying to make it feel.
Love the camera switching back and forth from Buffon to Ronaldo before the free kick. #Drama #RealJuve
— Conor Fitzpatrick (@ConorFitz95) May 13, 2015
The cameraman is making this freekick so tense, going from the keeper to Ronaldo so often 😂 #RealJuve #UCL
— Na†asha (@heyitsta5h_) May 13, 2015
More of that, please.
8. Alan Smith’s back to his old tricks
Alan Smith rapping again "too many men" #RealJuve
— liam truscott (@ltrusco) May 13, 2015
You might remember when the Sky commentator and Arsenal legend got singled out for his rhyming commentary last year. He was at it again tonight.
Some people are just born with it.
9. Alvaro Morata should have celebrated his goal
[celebrating internally] #RealJuve pic.twitter.com/Zw92WRrhzE
— KICKTV (@KICKTV) May 13, 2015
It’s the done thing these days – not celebrating against your old club. Morata didn’t celebrate when he scored last week, and he didn’t celebrate again this time.
We can understand the not celebrating in a Championship game, or even a Premier League one. But when you score a goal to put your team in the Champions League final, you can surely at least crack a smile?
Oh Celebrate son ffs, CELEBRATE!! #RealJuve
— Darren Butler (@HeyHeyLuciani) May 13, 2015
10. Alvaro Morata is the king of cliches
(Andres Kudacki/AP)
Now, we didn’t hear him actually say any cliches. That would have been nigh on impossible, with him playing a football match in Spain and us sat in an office in London – but he caused an eruption of them when he scored.
That's put the cat among the pigeons #RealJuve
— Matt Drury (@mattdrury4) May 13, 2015
Well hasn't that thrown a spanner in the water works… #RealJuve
— Jack Kinnersley (@Jkinnerz) May 13, 2015
It was quite something.
Juventus will face Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin on June 6