Real Madrid won its 11th Champions League crown against Atletico Madrid after a hard battle that was concluded by the penalty shootouts. Sergio Ramos has given the lead to the Merengue with a first half goal. Real Madrid went on dominating while Atletico had all the difficulties to implement its offense. Whereas Real Madrid was in the best position to double the lead, the counterattack led by super-sub Carrasco who smashed in the ball to even up the Final. At 1-1, no other goals would be scored and the final whistle set the teams up to the shootouts.
Then, Juanfran missed his penalty and Cristiano Ronaldo sent the team to the clouds with the win.
Here are some reactions from the Final:
Real Madrid coach Zidane:
“I’m happy with everything that we’ve done together. It’s by no means easy to win the Champions League. We’ve worked hard and fought for it and I’m very happy. We went into the game in good shape. Towards the end we suffered physically. The players had cramps but that’s normal. Mentally, there’s a lot of pressure. You have to fight and we’ve got there by working hard. When you win something as big as the Champions League, it means a lot to the players, the coaching staff and the fans.
Yes, I’ve dreamed about this. I’m positive.
The president has given me the opportunity to coach this great club. I’ve got a phenomenal squad who have fought and worked incredibly hard. Having players with this kind of talent, you can achieve something great. I’m happy to have been part of this club for such a long time. I’ve won the Champions League as a player, as an assistant coach and now as head-coach. I’m proud to be involved with this great club. Ancelotti told me that winning the Champions League as the coach of this club is different, special”.
Forward Cristiano Ronaldo:
“I feel immense joy. We’re very happy. It’s always like this in these games but the team has done really well. I knew I was going to score in the shootout and I did that. I want to share this with all the madridistas and everyone who supports Real Madrid. This final is for my family and every madridista family. I want to thank the fans for their support, this cup is for you. I was confident about taking the penalty. It’s been a magical night. Many thanks to all the fans. We wouldn’t have won la Undécima without them. They’ve helped un hugely in every match”.
President Florentino Perez:
“I feel very proud of Real Madrid, of the fans, the players and its history. I would like to dedicate a few words to Atlético Madrid because they made a great effort. Zidane has been very important. He has changed history and he has won this both as player and manager. Every season is difficult. In La Liga we were only one point off, it is always difficult. We have fought and had a good season. The Champions League is in our DNA, it is the most important and the thing you value above anything else in the world”.
Atletico Madrid coach: Diego Simeone
“We started the first time poorly, we were not in the game in the first 20 minutes as we would have liked. Then we improved and in the second half we could not use the chance of the penalty to equalize. I give great value to the team reinventing itself again after the failed penalty kick and we kept insisting until we scored the goal. In the extra-time, we were well positioned but neither team had clear scoring situations.
I’m very sad for not being able to respond to them as they expected me to, to give them this long-awaited Champions title. We have had the possibility of reaching a Champions League final twice in three years. Coming second is a failure because I do not think that just reaching the final is something fantastic. We must thank the fans for all the effort they have made, they have filled the stadium, paid expensive tickets, always been with us… The players proved to do an exemplary job and an impressive way to love the Club”.
