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Home , Luis Enrique, Paulo Sousa, Pep Guardiola

Sports45 FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 Morata looking to strike a blow for Juve - and Real

BERLIN: Juventus forward Alvaro Morata seemed genuinely apologetic after he netted the that knocked his former club Real out in the Champions League semi-finals and he wants to try to make amends. The 22-year-old Spain international scored in both legs of Juve’s 3-2 aggregate suc- cess over the holders and is hoping to lead his side to victory against Real’s bitter rivals in tomorrow’s Champions League final. Morata joined Juve for a fee of 20 million euros ($22.53 million) in the close season after finding himself surplus to requirements at Real and has played an important role in the Italian club’s charge towards a possible treble of titles. He net- ted eight goals in as Juve wrapped up a fourth consec- utive title, two in their successful campaign and has four so far in Europe’s elite club competition, including his crucial strike at the Bernabeu last month. The goal leveled the semi-final, second leg at 1-1 and ended the holders’ dream of an 11th European crown following their 10th in 2013-14, when Morata was a second-half substitute in the final against Atletico Madrid in . : A freestyle soccer player juggles a ball on a soccer pitch in front of the Brandenburg Gate during the opening of the fan festival at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin yesterday - two days before the soccer Champions League final Tomorrow at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, he will bid to between Juventus Turin and FC Barcelona the Olympic Stadium. — AP become only the fourth player to appear in Champions League final victories in successive seasons for different clubs, joining , and Samuel Eto’o. “I will try to win, also because of what that would mean for Real Messi the man as Barca fans,” Morata, who joined Real’s youth ranks in 2008, told reporters on Monday. “Obviously scoring against Barcelona would not be as painful as it was scoring against Madrid but I close on historic treble need to actually score before thinking about celebrations,” he added. “I’m not going to say it’s an extra motivation for me BARCELONA: Barcelona’s talismanic Lionel on his face. He put Barca on course to win European Championships and a World Cup because you don’t need extra motivation when you play a Messi remains the driving force of a talent- the King’s Cup last weekend with the over the same period. Now, in Luis Champions League final, but facing Barca will always be spe- ed side on the brink of repeating 2009’s opening goal, the first of a double, which Enrique’s first season in charge, Barca are cial.” historic treble despite a change in their will go down among the best he has ever playing a more direct style based on the coach and style of football, not to mention scored, when he left four players trailing in more individual skills of and Luis Biggest surprise a host of players. The Argentine provided his wake with a mazy run. Suarez along with Messi. The South As well as becoming a key figure at Juve, Morata has start- the magic and invention six years ago “Leo is like an extra-terrestrial,” Barca American attacking trident go into the ed to make an impact for Spain following a highly successful when Barca became the first team and Argentina team mate Javier clash with Juventus having notched up a run in La Roja’s youth sides. He starred in Spain’s European to win the Champions League and Spanish Mascherano told reporters. “We are very Spanish of 120 goals between them Championship winning Under-19 and Under-21 teams, win- league and Cup in the same season and he fortunate to be able to see him do it in the so far this season. ning the Golden Boot award for the top scorer at each tourna- is playing with the same panache as they flesh.” The 2009 treble triumph was built There was little indication as January ment. He was hailed as “the future of La Roja” in March after seek to repeat the feat. The Catalan giants around Guardiola’s possession-based play- began that it would be a memorable sea- he fired the European champions to a 1-0 win against Ukraine already have the La Liga title and the King’s ing philosophy that became popularly son for Barca and there was a notably in Euro 2016 qualifying in . Cup in the bag and their focus is now on known as “tiki-taka”. While the basis of frosty relationship between Messi and Luis Morata made his league debut for Real in December 2010 Saturday’s Champions League final against their passing football remains the same, it Enrique which put in doubt the future of under Jose Mourinho and went on to win one La Liga title, Juventus in Berlin. has been adapted by current coach Luis the coach. With the aura that Messi holds two King’s Cups and a Spanish Super Cup as well as the Messi was described as unstoppable by Enrique to suit the latest squad. Guardiola at the club there could only be one winner Champions League. His performances since joining Juve have former Barca coach , whose had an abundance of technically strong in that confrontation and Bayern Munich side were eliminated by the like and Andres Iniesta abandoned the continual switching of impressed no less a figure than captain and goalkeeper Spaniards in the semi-finals, and similar who suited a short passing game. They players and tactics to focus on a settled , although the World Cup winner with Italy in superlatives have been used by others would move the ball around almost like a side where the emphasis was on the for- 2006 did hint that Morata still has a lot to learn. “Morata has tasked with trying to thwart the South chess game waiting to make the killer pass. wards. Since their much publicized bust-up been the biggest surprise,” Buffon said on UEFA.com on American genius. After a disappointing In a golden spell under Guardiola, Barca following the first game back after Wednesday. “Now that I know him, I can say that if he matures 2014, when Messi failed in his mission to won three La Liga titles and two Christmas against , Messi has in the right way and if he wants to put his professionalism to win the World Cup for Argentina and often Champions Leagues between 2008 and been given a free rein to torment opposi- the benefit of the team and the profession, he can be the star looked distant and uninterested on the 2012. The “tika-taka” approach was also tion defenses which he has done to devas- of the next few years.”— Reuters pitch, he is once again playing with a smile the basis for the Spain team that won two tating effect.— Reuters Debutant Luis Enrique riding high with Barca

BERLIN: The enduring image of Luis Enrique Guardiola during his debut campaign in 2008- Catalan hero, while Luis Enrique hails from King’s Cup triumphs with their adoring fans at for many soccer fans is the Spain player with 09. The Catalan giants became the first Gijon in the region of and also had a the Nou Camp. blood gushing from his nose after a vicious Spanish club to win the Champions League stint at Real before joining Barca. That meant It was fitting that Barca sealed a fifth La elbow from Italy defender in and the domestic league and Cup in one sea- he had to work hard on the pitch to win over Liga crown in seven years at the home of the the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals in Boston. son, something no other side, including their the Barca fans and he has had to do the same defending champions, who pipped them to That could now be replaced by a picture of arch rivals Real Madrid, have managed. Barca as a coach in one of the most high-pressure the title with a draw at the Nou Camp on the the beaming Barcelona coach proudly show- are on the brink of a fifth continental crown, jobs in the game. final day of the 2013-14 campaign. The Cup ing off the treble of trophies the Catalan club having eliminated Guardiola’s Bayern Munich As a player, he won plaudits for his battling final was graced with yet another breathtak- are on course to win in his hugely impressive 5-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals. spirit, athleticism and keen eye for goal. After ing goal from Messi, the first of a double, and first season in charge at the Nou Camp. Barca The club’s decision to repeat the Guardiola a successful stint with Barca B, his coaching the Argentine has been the driving force wrapped up the La Liga title with a 1-0 win at gamble with Luis Enrique has proved a career faltered at Serie A side AS Roma before behind Barca’s treble charge this term. He Atletico Madrid and beat 3-1 resounding success, whatever the result at he led modest Celta Vigo to an impressive also netted the goal at Atletico that sealed the to secure a record-extending 27th King’s Cup the Olympic Stadium tomorrow. He succeed- ninth place in La Liga in 2013-14. His no-non- title and has an astonishing 56 in 55 appear- last month before they take on Juventus in ed after Barca ended 2013- sense character has at times soured his deal- ances in all competitions. Luis Enrique, too, tomorrow’s Champions League final in Berlin. 14 without a major trophy for the first time in ings with the media and his efforts to stamp deserves much of the credit for Barca’s recent Few would have predicted former Barca six years. Luis Enrique took over as Barca B his authority on the team led to a clash with success, managing to get the very best out of and Spain Luis Enrique, 45, could team coach in 2008 when Guardiola was pro- club talisman around the turn of Messi and fellow forwards Neymar and Luis even come close to matching the historic moted to take charge of the first team. A club the year. That was all forgotten as the players Suarez and tightening up a suspect defence achievement of his ex-team mate Pep legend and home-grown talent, Guardiola is a and coaching staff celebrated the La Liga and that let Martino down last season.— Reuters