Spain, Morata: “Napoli? I said no, out of respect and loyalty to the people who loved me"

A look into his recent past. Who knows how many emotions will be running through Alvaro Morata once he returns to the stadium in which he spent three seasons at. It gave him some intense emotions over the years, and even helped him get to the Spanish national team. Tomorrow at the Juventus Stadium, Italy will face off with Spain: it will be the perfect occasion to see how Alvaro has grown since joining Real Madrid: "I can't wait to return" - he told La Gazzetta dello Sport - "I lived very close to it, in the center, the Crocetta zone. My friends will come to visit me in the hotel. No matter what, my friends will be there. They have asked for so many tickets that I think I could fill the stands with them. I feel a lot of great emotions. I have such a desire to play again in Torino, and if I have a free minute, I will spend it around the city. I was very happy: I won and was very close to some bigger, historic wins as well. It's my second home. There, I found love and Italy is always in my thoughts: even at home with my girlfriend I speak Italian. Now I'm almost Italian myself! Will I return to Juventus? It's the first time I heard such a thing. It's unthinkable. I'm at Madrid. With that said, it's clear that I hope Juve wins always: I'm a juventino and will always be one. But I don't think it's possible to return." "Italy? A very complex match. Whoever wins on Thursday will gain the advantage: if we don't commit any errors, we will arrive in Russia as the group winners. Both teams will try to win, but I think there's a big possibility that there will be a tie because it will be a very tactical match. I imagine a game with very few chances. Conte's Italy at the Euros was a perfect tactical machine. At the Euros, Italy was tactically superior to us, and these are the things that help you win games." Will Morata start tomorrow? "I have no idea. I would love to, for me it's a special game. But it's not me who decides. No Chiellini? My ankles thank him, although I have a great desire to see him, Bonucci, Barzagli, Buffon. We're always in contact, sending videos, pictures, messagges, I love them a lot because I came over from Madrid and they treated me incredibly. Chiello, Leo, Andrea helped me a lot…especially by giving me lots of kicks in training. Ogbonna or Astori will be there, a left-footed centerback. Tactically, they won't change much, and they are great players. In terms of defending, Italy is the best national team in the world." Morata and Callejon arrived to the Spanish national team thanks to their play in Italy: "One day, Tevez told me that for an attacker, going to play in Italy is like going to college and graduating. I learned how to move in more complex ways, I feel stronger physically: Italy did a lot for me. Callejon? He has earned this call-up, he's grown a lot and he's been playing at a high level for years. I'm very happy that he's here from Napoli like Reina. It's a continuous duel between Juve and Napoli…". Juventus still the favorites for the scudetto? "Without a doubt. They bought the best player from Napoli and the best player from Roma, increasing the gap between their competitors. They will be champions again. In the Champions League they will be a big rival. This year, I think Juve will reach the semifinals, at least. Higuain-Dybala? I expected that they would combine well. Two great players, in Italy there is no other pair like them." Per trovare un sostituto di Alvaro la Juventus ha speso 90 milioni: "Napoli? My father and my agent Juanma Lopez told me that they had been contacted by Napoli. 'Forget it', I responded immediately. I told them how I had been treated by Juventus. Since I was so happy there, I would have never gone to Napoli. Higuain did it? Everyone has their own ideas and their own way of life. I would have never done it, because in the end, my pride and loyalty to the people who treated me so well counts more in my mind."