Luka Modric was named Man of the Match in the Real Madrid v Chelsea tie at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Croat turned in an immense performance, in which he conjured up a sublime pass to tee up Rodrygo for the team’s opener, before performing excellently in extra time to steer the madridistas to victory. The Croatian continues to impress the whole world ogf football with his performances despite his advanced age and he has no intention to stop!
The midfield man expressed his delight after the team secured their spot in the semi-finals: “It was incredible. It was an amazing game here at the Bernabéu and a sweet defeat. We dug in, but we didn't give up. We kept believing. Chelsea gave their all, but we kept believing and fighting to turn the score around. The coach made some good substitutions and they really helped us to change the feel of the game”.
“We’ve become used to digging in, as we did against Bayern, Juventus and Ajax. It was important for us to get through and it's difficult to put these emotions into words. We gave our all throughout the 120 minutes. The coach played me in the holding midfield role and I felt comfortable out there. All of our players showed a lot of character”, he continued.
Support from the Bernabéu: "It makes me extremely proud when I hear the fans singing my name. I'm thankful that they've gotten behind me from day one and I look to pay them back with my performance out on the pitch, looking to play well and win games. Let's take it one year at a time and see how I feel".
Choosing between Atlético Madrid and Manchester City as the next opponent: "If you want to win the Champions League you have to beat everybody. Both teams are strong and it's important that we booked our place in the semi-finals.
After the match, Luka Modrić has been chosen as Champions League player of the week in the voting on uefa.com. After being awarded the man of the match trophy in the clash vs Chelsea at the Bernabéu, the Real Madrid star beat Stones (Manchester City), Tsimikas (Liverpool) and Albiol (Villarreal) in the fans vote to be named as the Player of the Week.
If Real Madrid secured their place in the semi-finals after overcoming Chelsea, it was also huge merit of Rodrygo, who netted the Madridistas’ first goal of the night. At the end of the match the young Brazilian commented: “Luka’s assist was impressive. He always tells me to attack the space and that he'll then pick me out with a pass. That was exactly how it turned out. I'm happy to have got the goal that took us through. We really had to dig in. We knew it was going to be a really difficult game and it turned out to be tougher than we expected”.
“The coach asked me just what he always asks of me. I came into the game on the back of some good performances, but I've been lacking the goals to cap off my displays. My goal turned out to be decisive. He told us to keep calm and that the goal would come. We're really happy”, he continued.
Importance of every player: “The key to it was that we battled right on until the end. We didn't give up at any stage, although we were struggling and then my goal came along. That give us a bit of a lift. Everyone talks out there on the pitch, but some players don't need to do any talking and just run. It's everyone's job to lift everyone's spirits”,
Bond with the fans: “The supporters willed us on when we were feeling tired at 3-0 down. We really enjoyed having them here with us. We're going to give our all to win everything: the Champions League and LaLiga”.
Nacho also spoke in front of the press and expressed how nights like that at the Bernabéu will give goosebumps: “It was yet another incredible night at the Bernabeu. It looked like it was going to be a real uphill struggle for us, but the team produced an amazing reaction to progress through to the semi-finals”.
He added: "It's similar to the PSG game. It gives you goosebumps every time you witness a night like that at the Bernabéu. What's important for us is that we're in the next round. We've got to be a lot better from the start. We're playing for Real Madrid and we're taught from a young age that you never give up".
DNA: "A lot of people were waiting to see us fail against PSG. When the result was against us today, a lot of people doubted us. But this club's DNA never gives up. We showed that again. We have completed our objective".
Satisfaction: "Football is made up of situations and moments. The head is very involved. We were almost at our best today. It was a different result in the end, a different type of game and the opponents were looking for our weak points. But we're very happy here".
10 semi-finals in the last 12 years: "Real Madrid belong at this level. We'reprepared to fight in good times and bad. You have to be with the team because we always give everything. We give our all in every game we play. These are very good statistics".
Modrić: "Despite his age, he gets better by the day. He's an example for the players and fans. It's as if he's very old, but he's like the youngster player in the team. I hope he stays on with us for many years".
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