Goals from Benzema and Valverde in the first half and a penalty from Rodrygo in the second saw Real Madrid take the Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu. Modric, Rodrygo, Valverde and Militao spoke as the main protagonists of the match. Modric’s class was sprinkled throughout the game with elegant moves and tricks to avoid opponents and create spaces, without forgetting the closures. Rodrygo and Valverde were among the goalscorers and Militao made one of his best appearances as he was constantly “threatening” the opponents with his toughness.
Modrić assessed the team's victory in El Clasico as follows: "We're happy with the win and our performance. We knew we wouldn't have it all our own way because they look after the ball well and that's when we had to give it our all, defend well and dig in. And we did just that. After that we were strong up front and got three goals. We're very happy with the performance, we played really well in my opinion".
Supporters: "We'd like to thank the fans for creating such a great atmosphere today. What can I say about the fans, when the fans get behind you, it's the best thing that can happen to you as a player".
Benzema: "As for Karim, we all know what's going to happen, and we all want it to happen. We're very happy for him, we hope he goes on to win the Ballon d'Or because it's well deserved for all he's done".
Rodrygo also expressed his delight following the victory where his goal helped seal the result: “I'm very happy, just like the rest of the team. Beating Barcelona is always important. We knew it was an important game to go top of LaLiga. I'm also happy with the goal, we must carry on like this. If you're top or not, you have to work hard and we must keep hold of the lead by performing well and winning like today".
Key moments: "In previous matches we've kept going in search of a goal until the very end of the game, which we did again today. Even when they got one back, and it got difficult, we were able to score again".
His goal: “I’m immensely happy. I was dreaming of getting a goal and it’s special to score from the spot against such a good goalkeeper. I was nervous with the pressure to score beforehand but it went in and I celebrated. I’m so happy, I want to be here for my whole life”.
Fans: “Hugely important, they really helped us and I hope they can continue doing so, just as they did last season. When we unite our strength with the fans, everything goes the way we want it to”
Fede Valverde, scorer of Real Madrid's second goal of the game, reflected on the clash at the Bernabéu: “We knew it would be tough but I'm happy with the win, the effort and the team's commitment. I'm exceptionally happy from a personal point of view. We worked well as a team, we defended and dug in brilliantly. We were strong defensively and going forward and we were able to use the space to our advantage".
Favoured position” “I always said in the middle but I'm playing out wide often right now. I try to enjoy myself in every position and give everything I have. I know I can provide lots of goals and assists up top. I'm pleased because I knew I wouldn't get a lot of opportunities to score today, but I managed to do it”.
Team: “We created a lot of chances and had a lot of the ball. The coach tells me not just to stick out wide but to drift inside as well. We have to keep working hard and bringing that energy in the middle in order to find the spaces that open up to create goal-scoring opportunities".
The last to speak for the media was Militao. After cancelling a star like Lewandowski, he expressed himself as follows: “I'm delighted with the win. It's hugely important for our confidence. Our teamwork is the most important thing, if we all help out and work together it's easy to win games. I'm feeling good physically and I put in a good performance today, just like the rest of the team".
The Bernabéu atmosphere: “It's always important in every game but today they really helped us out. Thank you to everyone who came”.
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