ALVARO MORATA missed an open goal from six yards out after BACK HEELING wide before Cristiano Ronaldo fluffed a penalty as Juventus drew with Atalanta.
The 1-1 stalemate meant the reigning Serie A champions missed the chance to gain ground on leaders AC Milan.
Alvaro Morata’s back heel slipped wide with the goal gapingCredit: Sky Sports
Morata can only watch on as his effort fails to find the target from just over six yards outCredit: Sky Sports
The former Chelsea man was reprieved by the offside flagCredit: Sky Sports
Chelsea flop Morata, 28, has hit some form of late for the Old Lady but will not want to see this one back.
He had the assistant referee to thank for sparing his blushes as the flag went up after his horror miss.
Morata was played in by American midfielder Weston McKennie who had won the ball back from Atalanta at the Allianz Stadium.
The Spanish striker ran in on goal with no defenders in sight only to feebly underhit his square pass for the onrushing Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the lay off behind him, Ronaldo struggled to collect the ball and it ricocheted off the Portuguese superstar – as well as defender Berat Djimsiti – who had made a despairing dive.
But it fell perfectly for Morata – who had the goal gaping after keeper Pierluigi Gollini had also gone to ground in anticipation of a Ronaldo shot.
Unbelievably former Real Madrid man Morata saw fit to attempt an outrageous back heel from the edge of the six-yard box.
And he looked suitably sheepish when the ball dribbled wide.
However, the linesman flagged for offside as Morata had strayed beyong the last defender before McKennie could unleash the ball in the opening phase of the move.
The game’s strange theme continued when Ronaldo had a penalty saved by Gollini who got down low to his left.
Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club
Morata missed an open goal after failing to assist Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFP or licensors
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had scored FOUR times from the spot in just the last week.
Ronaldo netted a brace of pens in both the wins against Genoa and GOAT rival Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.
Federico Chiesa had opened the scoring for the Old Lady after 29 minutes and they led at the halfway stage.
Remo Freuler equalised for Atalanta after 57 minutes before Ronaldo had the chance to immediately regain the lead from the spot three minutes later – only to be denied by an inspired Gollini who helped secure a point for the visitors with a number of crucial saves.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk