#360view: Morata set to worry former Juve colleagues

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  • Predator: Alvaro Morata.

    With UEFA having expanded the field to 24 teams, the machinations of the Euro 2016 draw have received widespread criticism. It has been a particular issue for third-placed teams like Albania, left in limbo, waiting to see if other results fall in their favour before knowing whether or not they will progress to the latter stages.

    There were no such problems for Italy, yet they too have been left looking perplexed at the way the bracket for the knockout rounds has been drawn up. Despite winning Group E with a match to spare, the Azzurri find themselves facing off against holders Spain in the last 16, with Germany, France and England all potential opponents even before they could reach the final.

    That clash with Vincente Del Bosque’s men is a repeat of the 2012 final, a game that saw La Furia Roja emerge with a comprehensive 4-0 victory to lift the trophy in Kiev. Yet Monday’s rematch will be particularly poignant for one man, potentially pitting Álvaro Morata against four players he has called team-mates for the past two seasons.

    Yet when the 23-year-old steps onto the field at the Stade de France, he will do so knowing that he no longer plays for Juventus. It was announced on Tuesday that his former club Real Madrid had re-signed Morata, exercising the buy-back clause they included in the deal which originally took him to Turin.

    There, alongside Italy’s Gigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, the Spanish star enjoyed incredible success, playing a major role in helping the Bianconeri lift no fewer than five pieces of silverware. His debut campaign saw Juve clinch a league and cup double for the first time in 20 years and reach the Champions League Final, while 2015-16 saw the Old Lady make a clean sweep of Italy’s domestic trophies.

    With the Supercoppa Italiana and Serie A title already sealed, Morata’s last contribution to the Bianconeri cause was a memorable one, coming off the bench to score a goal that clinched a second consecutive Coppa Italia victory. Netting in the last minute of extra-time against AC Milan, he wheeled away to celebrate with the delighted Juventus supporters packed into the Curva Nord of Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

    That evening they were very much innaMorata – “in love” – with their No. 9, but those clad in black and white are now left lamenting his departure. The €30 million (Dhs123m) fee received from Real Madrid is scant consolation for the loss of a player quickly becoming one of the continent’s most feared strikers.

    That is a reputation Morata has only enhanced as the summer has progressed, scoring three times already for Spain and showing that he fully deserves his place as the focal point of their attack.

    His tournament debut drew a mixed response, running tirelessly to stretch the Czech Republic defence and creating some good chances but was replaced after an hour. The team found a way to win without him, but the Madrid native’s influence was much more keenly felt in their next outing.

    Going up against Turkey, Morata repeatedly tested goalkeeper Volkan Babacan, eventually netting with a 34th minute header after some good work by Nolito. If that goal showcased his aerial prowess, his predatory instincts were on display in his second, knocking Jordi Alba’s cross home after a pass from Andrés Iniesta had carved open the defence.

    Morata still has much to learn, but is quickly proving he is the ideal frontman for this devastating Spanish side, able to finish of the sweeping moves of their stellar midfield. He did just that in the final Group D fixture against Croatia, holding his position perfectly to stay onside after David Silva’s glorious pass to Cesc Fàbregas. Another game, another tap-in.

    Playing in this Spain team that is to be expected, but the man himself telling reporters that he is enjoying just playing his part.

    “I’m very happy about the way we performed, very happy for the goals but above all for being here,” Morata said shortly after the final whistle in that comprehensive 3-0 rout. “Before I watched all of Spain’s matches on television so to enjoy this team is a dream for me.”

    He then addressed the criticism he had received after the Czech Republic match, adding that people “are always looking for something, when the team is doing well they say the strikers won’t score. We continue and work. We’ve played a great game against a very tough team and now to win the next match.”

    Sadly his goal was not enough to secure a victory against Croatia, meaning Spain finished as runners-up and must now head to Paris for that showdown with the Azzurri.

    When the two sides met back in March, Barzagli and Chiellini missed the game through injury, but Morata will be fully aware that his four former Juve team-mates will all take to the field primed to deny him a path to more goals.

    “Bonucci told me to be ready to take a few kicks,” he joked ahead of that previous friendly, but seemed much less happy at the prospect of a rematch.

    “We could not have been given a worse draw,” he told Sky Italia, but Italy’s vaunted BBC backline will not be relishing the challenge of a reunion with an in-form Morata so early in the tournament.

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