Real Madrid defender Pepe has said the squad players who came into the side last night did the club proud after the team saw off Atletico de Madrid to reach the semi-final of the Champions League.
Forgotten man Javier Hernandez, on loan from Manchester United, scored the winner in the 88th minute – just as the sides were thinking about extra time. It was the highlight of the forward’s career so far at the Bernabeu.
Pepe told journalists after the game that the team deserved credit, especially with the number of first team players out injured – including Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric – as well as the suspended Marcelo.
“We probably deserved more from the first leg. 0-0 was an unfair result for us, but I think that once again we have shown our quality and team spirit. We went out to win the game despite our injuries, and started with non regulars like Chicharito, who made everyone very happy,” he commented.
And he continued: “We had to win the second balls because Atlético weren’t going to take the initiative in our stadium. We were always going to have the initiative and we needed to recover possession quickly and that’s exactly what we did. Everyone put in good performances and the manager did a great job of preparing us.
“We played excellently in the first leg and we should have scored. It wasn’t to be but we knew that as long as we could match that level of intensity and show the humility we need for games then we would have plenty of chances to secure our place in the next round. And that’s what happened.”
