Real Madrid reached the Champions League final after defeating Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu in an epic night which saw Madridistas complete a comeback to the initial result of 0-1 of this match and also the final comeback of the 4-3 result of the 1st leg. The aggregate score ended in 6-5! Eleven goals in two matches and we can surely say that Real Madrid vs Manchester City was the most emotional semifinal of the last few years!
Thibaut Courtois was named as The Man of the Match in this huge victory. The Belgian delivered a faultless performance, making decisive saves on the way to guiding his team to the win and the final in Paris. He spoke to the media after the match: “This team and this club are capable of anything. We kept believing until the end and ultimately we made it possible".
"We knew we were in better shape going into extra-time, it was a case of digging in and defending well, which is what we did. We weren't great in front of goal today, we were missing the final pass and sometimes it feels like it won't go for you, but with the goal and the fans behind us we knew anything could happen", he explained.
Epic comeback: “We've knocked out some great teams along the way, like PSG, Chelsea and today. It was in the final couple of minutes today which was unbelievable but we know anything is possible when we play at home. We can't wait to play the final. When Madrid make it to a final, we go there to win it", the keeper concluded.
Rodrygo, who bagged a brace to send the tie into extra time, expressed his delight after the clash: “I'm really happy to be able to score two goals in the semi-final and get Madrid to the place where they always belong - the Champions League final - and to win it. I couldn't hear what my teammates were saying to me because I couldn't believe what was happening. We were losing the game, my first goal in the 90th minute and we were dead, and then what happened was what happened.
"That’s my best version of myself in the Champions League and I hope I can continue to score a lot more times. In this shirt we learn to always fight until the end and that's the way it was. We conceded a goal and we were almost dead, but with my first goal we started to believe because we've fought back in other games and then came the second.From right now, we turn our attentions to Liverpool. We have another two LaLiga games we can use to prepare for the final”.
On Ancelotti: “He’s a friend, he’s always together with us, joking around. He’s our coach and our friend”.
Casemiro, whose presence improved the team’s solidity compared to the 1st leg, expressed his happiness as well: “Incredible, there’s no better feeling. It was difficult to get here, we’ve still got the best bit and the biggest game to come but we have to enjoy the moment because we’ve been through two tough years without the fans and this is for them. This club’s greatest virtue is how we never give up and always fight to the end. We have to congratulate the whole team”.
"The key thing is never giving up. To the end, come on Real! We have knocked out a great team with a great coach. We won LaLiga two years ago and couldn’t enjoy it with our fans and now we’re doing that because their happiness is the most important thing for us. Now we have to think about the next game, Atlético Madrid. We might be LaLiga champions but this club demands we keep winning”, the Brazilian Panzer concluded.
Valverde, who was rated amongst the best players on the pitch for helping the team with his energy both defensively and offensively, had the following to say: “Another crazy night. The key things were the spirit and the desire to win that keep us going to the end. When City scored everything felt pretty deflated and it was like all was lost. When the goals came, we felt like we were going to win it. We’ve been up against some very good opposition.
He added: The toughest game for me was against Chelsea, they’re a very physical side. Today was difficult too but we were in great spirits. We had another opportunity to come back and achieve something special, it’ll be the first time for me. I’m happy for the team and for my family”.
The role of the fans : “The fans were a huge help in keeping us fighting to the end. They have been a big part of every game and it’s hugely appreciated. We have to thank them for their support, it was key”.
Comments