LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 01: Alvaro Morata of Milan looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AC Milan at BayArena on October 01, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany.

Former Real Madrid striker expecting a hostile reception as he returns to the Santiago Bernabeu

Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images

Real Madrid have a classic European tie awaiting them as they face off against AC Milan on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League. These two sides are the top two teams in terms of the number of UCL trophies they have won, and although they are somewhat apart in the quality present in the squads, the history of this tie promises to make it a highly entertaining affair.

Thus, while this game will be quite important in general, it will be even more significant for one of AC Milan forwards, Alvaro Morata, who will be returning to his former home. The Spanish forward grew up in the Merengues youth system and also had a highly promising stint with the first team, but his relationship with the Real Madrid fans currently is far from good.

As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the striker appeared in an interview with The Athletic FC ahead of this game, and made it clear that he was not expecting a nice welcome as he makes his return to the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday:

“In the end, I think it will be the same as when I used to come back with Atlético. I don’t think things have changed much. But I’m aware of it, and I expect to get whistled at and everything. It’s normal.”

There is no doubt that Alvaro Morata’s presence on the pitch will make this tie somewhat more entertaining for the neutrals. The Spaniard’s comments regretting his move to Real Madrid and his later move to the Merengues’ cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid have fuelled the dislike that the Vikings have for him.

For now, it remains to be seen how he will perform in the upcoming match. But as Morata himself commented, one sure thing is he will not get a very warm welcome from the Real Madrid fans as he returns to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Tags Alvaro Morata