Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 9y

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez has Manchester United 'blood' - Evra

Carlos Tevez still has "United blood" according to his former Old Trafford teammate Patrice Evra after the pair were both part of the Juventus side that beat Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League semifinal first leg.

Tevez, 31, won the European Cup and Premier League as a Manchester United player, before controversially moving to crosstown rivals Manchester City in 2009.

After claiming another league title at the Etihad in 2011, the Argentina striker left for Juventus two seasons later. On Tuesday, he helped the Serie A champions put one foot in this season's Champions League final when he kept his nerve to net what could prove to be a decisive spot-kick, having had a hand in Alvaro Morata's opener.

Evra joined him in Turin after ending his eight-year stay at United last summer, and referenced that Old Trafford connection in his postmatch praise of his teammate.

"Carlos Tevez has United blood like myself," Evra told ITV. "He's a champion. He's had a fantastic year and we want to win the Champions League. He's a massive professional.

"The most important thing was the win. It's never easy against Real and I'm very proud of my teammates and staff. We prepared very well and we got the win. We're very confident. We're 50 percent of the way there.

"It's been 12 years since this club reached the semifinals, and now we want to get into the final."

Despite dominating domestically in recent years, Juve had failed to replicate that success in Europe under Antonio Conte, but Evra believes that current coach Massimiliano Allegri has helped them improve abroad.

"We've showed to the fans how much we respect and honour this shirt," he told Italy's Mediaset television. "This was a great Juve today. We played with character and personality. We wanted to win and we gave everything we've got for it.

"I'm delighted with what my teammates have done. Obviously it's not over yet, but when the coach prepares the game in such a way, then it all becomes easier."

^ Back to Top ^