Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has praised the intensity of his side following their 2-1 victory over Real Madrid this evening.
The Serie A champions gave themselves a slender advantage in the Champions League semi-final tie as goals from Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez either side of a Cristiano Ronaldo header handed them a first-leg win in Turin.
Allegri believes that it was a "deserved reward" for his side's performance, and reserved special praise for their defensive display.
"I'm really pleased with the lads' display tonight. The result is a deserved reward from a game that wasn't easy," Allegri told reporters.
"We played with extraordinary intensity and afforded Real very little. I can only take my hat off to my players. Our back four defended very well tonight. It wasn't easy for me to leave [Andrea] Barzagli out but I had a decision to make."
Juve, who are still on course for the treble this season, will travel to the Bernabeu for the return leg next Wednesday as they look to reach the final for the first time since 2003.
Barney Corkhill
