Karim Benzema and Isco Alardón were the two players named in the press conference several times. Zinedine Zidane was very happy after reaching the final of the Champions League again. Real Madrid will play back to back finals 57 years later.
“We are very happy to arrive again to the final. The credit is for all, especially the players. It’s deserved. Now we are in the final and we are going to have time to prepare it but we are happy for what we’ve done”, Zidane commented after knocking Atlético Madrid out.
It wasn’t an easy game, conceding two goals in the first 15 minutes: “We had difficulties at the start of the game, 20-25 minutes, but we shouldn’t worry because we were going to create chances. In the second half we played better, with Isco and Karim between the lines”.
Karim Benzema was the key player thanks to the amazing play where he dribble three players: “I don’t know how Karim went out from there. Football is not only goal, he scores goals but also has these things. I’m happy for his performance, he missed the goal because he had chances. I didn’t expect that, we were talking after the game and I asked him how he went out and he didn’t know either. It will always be like that, he will always have to do something special for people to say he is a great player but we know it and also the supporters know his importance in this team”.
Another important player was Isco Alarcón, apart from the goal: “He’s been very important in our formation today, at the end of the first half we were more accurate. Isco gave us a lot. In his position, Isco bothered the rival”.
Now Real Madrid will face Juventus at Cardiff, Zidane’s former team: “It’s something special because it’s a very important club for me as a player. Now I’m with Real Madrid, the club of my life, so it will be a beautiful final. We have to play, they’ve arrived and we know that the path is tough and they deserve to play that final. Arriving to back to back finals it’s everybody’s job. It’s been amazing. This is not over, we have three more games in La Liga and then we have to think about the final”.
The French manager was asked about the great start from Atlético Madrid: “I expected that. They got a lot from the second plays, they scored from a corner kick, we were less focused, but we knew that with calm and patience we were going to find Isco between the lines. He hurted the rival”.
Finally, Zidane summarize his job at Real Madrid: “I’m happy, it means that I’m doing a great job, but having this squad and the credit is for everyone, especially the squad. We can be happy but we haven’t won anything”.
