May 5, 8:45 p.m., Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy.
In the first leg of the Champions League semifinals, Real Madrid visited Juventus.
Less than eight minutes into the match, Marchisio sent a diagonal pass from the right into the penalty area. Tevez arrived late, took the ball, and fired a powerful shot toward the far corner. Navas threw himself sideways and managed to parry it away, but Real Madrid player Morata followed up at the far post and slotted home the rebound.
One-nil!
Morata did not celebrate wildly after scoring. He simply ran quietly toward the sideline.
Although he was currently wearing a Juventus shirt, Real Madrid still had a clause in his contract allowing them to buy him back within two years. In that sense, he was still half a Real Madrid player.
More importantly, he was a true diehard Real Madrid supporter. Sadly, though, he had ultimately failed to remain at the club.
With Morata performing brilliantly for Juventus recently, many people had begun comparing him to Morientes in his prime. Some even believed Real Madrid had made the wrong decision by keeping Jesé and letting Morata go.
But sometimes, that was just hindsight talking.
Back then, Jesé had been superior to Morata from every angle. Although he had suffered an injury, Real Madrid had no reason to give up on him considering his form and performances before the injury, as well as the potential he had shown.
When they had to keep one and send the other away, Real Madrid's choice of Jesé was understandable. Besides, Real Madrid also possessed the priority to buy Morata back. In other words, throughout that transfer, Real Madrid had always held the initiative.
Morata had also used a Champions League goal to prove his value and ability to his former club.