The statistics that matter from Juventus - Real Madrid

The pulsating encounter between Juventus and Real Madrid in the semi-final first leg game at the Juventus Stadium will be remembered for many years to come. The 2-1 win for Juve leaves the tie wide open for what is sure to be an enthralling second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The result leaves the Italians with a lot of hope of reaching the final. Because although Madrid can count on their power in attack and an electric atmosphere in their stadium, the statistics are in Juve’s favour. The bianconeri have qualified for the next round on 11 occasions after winning the first leg by the same result. “To get to the final we’ll need the Bernabéu,”said coach Carlo Ancelotti. And statistics also favour Madrid in this sense, as Juve have only beaten Madrid on one occasion (in 1961-62) on their seven visits to the Spanish capital.

But there are more intriguing statistics surrounding the tie that encourage us to believe that really anything could happen. Madrid’s goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo, and los blancos will put their faith in him to send them into the final again just a year after winning ‘La Décima’. The Portuguese has scored four times against Juventus now and hopes to do so again next week. Former Madrid striker Álvaro Morata scored the first goal for Juventus, less than a year after leaving the Santiago Bernabéu for Turin.

“There is still a lot of work to do,” said the young striker after the game, well aware as he is of the character and ambition of his former team-mates. The winning goal was scored from the penalty spot by scored by Carlos Tévez, scoring his seventh goal in the Champions League this season, his 13th in the competition overall.