Joselu and Dani Ceballos were the heroes for Real Madrid last night en route to a memorable 3-2 win over Union Berlin. The clash put obstacles to no end in the Merengues’ path, but the men in white fought on regardless to come out on top.
After Real Madrid took a comfortable 2-1 lead in the second half, the opposition equalised with only five minutes left on the clock. Yet, Dani Ceballos conjured up a winner with one minute remaining.
Joselu was one of the players to speak to the press, and the Spanish striker began by expressing his elation over being a Real Madrid player.
“For me, wearing this shirt is a pride and a pleasure. It’s been a dream since I was a child. In the end, I try to contribute as much as possible when I put on this shirt and games like today’s are what you dream of every day.”
Speaking on his role in the team, he said: “I’m happy to bring goals and good feelings to the team and get three more points in Champions League. I try to contribute the maximum to the team in all the games like today, which was important to win.”
“You always have to show your face when you put on this shirt. We knew it was a complicated game and we had to take it out,” he added.
Despite getting the three points, Real Madrid were not in control of the proceedings as they would have liked to.
“We have never lost our face to the game. We got lost at halftime but we knew that we were going to have control because of the way they play,” he said about the same.
“This Madrid is going all out and wants to get the victory against any type of rival even if we were qualified before the match. This is Real Madrid and we always want to win,” he added.
On Real Madrid’s feat of winning all six games of the group stages, the match-winner said: “The balance has been very positive. We are going undefeated to the round of 16. It is the work we had to do and we have prepared it well during these days. The team has met expectations in this Group Phase and now let’s wait for what we have to do.”
Finally, Joselu talked the media through his two goals on the night and how they built up.
“In the first, I won the position to the defender. It’s a good cross from Rodrygo. I try to win from above and take advantage of the corpulence and place it on a stick.”
“In the second, I let the ball pass between my legs because I saw Fran García from behind. I ask him to put it on the first stick and I make a good demarcation and I try to throw myself on the iron with the fortune that she has entered. I’m happy because they have served to win the game,” he concluded.
Nacho calls for alertness
Speaking to the media after the game, Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez discussed the result that unfolded on the night and the manner in which it played out.
“We came to win. We were qualified as first in the group but this shield requires competing and winning each game. We are happy. The game has indeed been complicated when we missed the penalty but then we have been able to recover. It’s also good to win the games.”
Nacho then stressed how Union Berlin capitalised on Real Madrid’s moment of slackness on the night and the importance of being alert throughout the ninety minutes.
“This is football. They catch you 10 seconds misplaced and we have conceded a goal. We have made up for the break and we have made a good game in general.”
“We are all important. We have a very good and complete staff. Those of us who have played today have done a great job and we have the confidence to help the team,” he added on the team’s harmony behind the scenes.
Finally, Nacho gave his two cents on the upcoming stages of the competition and the team’s approach to the same.
“The coach can make decisions and he won’t go wrong because we are all ready. We are going to wait for the draw but there is a long way to go for the round of 16. We have to focus on La Liga and finish and start the year well.”
