Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata admits he would celebrate if he scores against former club Juventus on Wednesday evening.
The Spain international has yet to get off the mark for Atleti since joining on a long-term loan deal from Chelsea last month.
Morata scored 27 goals in 93 appearances for the Bianconeri between 2014 and 2016, winning two league titles at the club and reaching the Champions League final.
“We’re second in La Liga, fighting for the title, and now comes the game against Juventus, where everything stops,” Morata told an interview with Diario AS ahead of Wednesday’s match.
“This is the Champions League, and it’s our moment to show what we want. They’re a great team, but we’ll fight to the death.
“I don’t have to give anyone advice. I’ve come here to add to the work done over the years.
“I know that winning the Champions League doesn’t mean the same thing here than it does at other places.
“I won’t explain what winning the Champions League would mean to Atletico, but first we have to beat Juventus, who are a great team.
“We’re only thinking about having a great game. We know it’s complicated to play at our stadium
“I couldn’t not celebrate my first goal for Atletico [against Juve]. Maybe I wouldn’t [in Turin] out of respect, but my first goal in this shirt would mean a lot to me.
“I couldn’t stand and ask for forgiveness. It’s true I want to respect the Juventus fans as much as possible, given they’re my team in Italy, and that I want them to always win, just not against us.
“I think the Juventus fans would understand if I celebrated in Madrid, just as the Atleti fans would if I didn’t in Turin.
“Juve have Ronaldo, yes, but they also reached the Final without him. They’re a very competitive team and it’ll be very difficult to beat them, but we’re Atlético and we’ll do everything to make it difficult for them and win the tie.
“I never had any problems with him. Maybe we understand some things differently, but I had no problem with him.
“I hope he doesn’t have his day. Sometimes I’d talk to him about things outside of football. He’s a good person and there are no problems between us.
“I can understand why Juve are favourites, given they’re a great team. It’s a responsibility for them.
“We’re aware of who they are and, I believe, vice versa. The Juventus players weren’t very happy when they got us in the draw.
“I know them and they know what’s in store. They respect us and we respect them too.”
