Carlos Tevez was the main man for Juventus as the Italian champions took a 2-1 lead into the second leg of the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid.
The holders Real have it all to do after conceding two goals away from home – one from their youth product Alvaro Morata and the other via the boot of Tevez from the penalty spot – but the Spanish giants will take comfort from the fact that they managed to find an away goal in the first leg in Turin, courtesy their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Juventus started the game brighter and were duly rewarded with the opener as Morata turned in a rebound following a save from Casillas off Tevez in the 9th minute. Real answered back through Ronaldo, who headed past Gianluigi Buffon off a nice cross from James Rodriguez.
The home team would have the last laugh on the night, however, as Tevez turned in from the spot after the Argentine was felled by Dani Carvajal inside the penalty area 11 minutes into the second 45.
"I'd say I'm pleased with the performance," said a beaming Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri after the match. "It was a great game technically, even if I think we can do even better. I'd say everybody got really involved in the game, defending and attacking.
"I think if we want to make the final, we've got to deliver a masterpiece in Madrid. We've laid the foundations. My lads showed great personality, effort and determination.
"We need to recognise how important this result is. It was a great display from us and we also celebrated winning the league tonight. We've played good football this season and above all I'd say we showed signs we are superior."
Real Madrid will know the tie is far from over; indeed they will still fancy themselves to go through to a second straight final, with a 1-0 result in their favour at the Bernabeu next Wednesday more than enough to keep them on course to defend their title.
Having said that, however, Carlo Ancelotti will also be aware of the importance of defending better, and not getting caught on the counter-attack so easily. They managed that particular aspect reasonably well against Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals, and it will take another similar solid performance to go through to the final.
"We played really well at times and created some good chances after the first 15 minutes," said Real's Italian manager. "We've got to do the same again in the return leg. Juve are in a rich vein of form, they've got a great spirit and it's different from last year in the group stage against them.
"It's a negative result, but it's not so bad. It's all going to be decided at the Bernabeu."
