Mikel Merino and double goal scorer Declan Rice spoke to the media after tonight’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid.
Here’s what they had to say.
A banner said ‘Make it happen’ …
Rice: Yeah, that’s been the message from the manager since the game in the weekend, is that we need to be super convinced that we can come and win this game, and as a group of players, we were really convinced that we were out there together as a team, fighting for each other, and in the second half we knew we had to score, and to score three was a real positive.
The second half approach…
Merino: Yeah, I mean, we were talking in the dressing room about keeping the pace, keeping the tempo, obviously with the help of the crowd on our side, that second half was amazing. We started full gas from there since the beginning, and I mean, when this team goes like this, the crowd comes with us and everything is here.
339 games, where have the free kicks been?
Rice: It’s been in the locker! I’ve hit the wall too many times where it’s gone over the bar, and originally I was going to cross it, and then I just saw the wall, and the goalkeeper’s position, and I see the outside of the wall, and it went in. And then the second one I just had the confidence, and I hit it, and yeah, it’s not going to hit me yet, because there’s another leg to go, and I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon, I don’t mean to be cliché, but in a few years’ time I think this will hit me, what I’ve done tonight is really special.
See the goals in the match report here.
Merino’s view of the free kicks…
Merino: Yeah, I mean, we had a few free kicks last week, and we didn’t score them, but honestly this guy has one of the best shooting abilities that I’ve seen in my career, so, I mean, I’m not surprised, maybe you are [to Rice], but hopefully more will come in the future.
Bukayo Saka’s impact …
Rice: Look, to come back in the time he has done is unbelievable, he’s unreal. Look, we need to be ready for next week, because we know the Bernabeu, what it’s like to play there, he [Merino] can obviously tell you that we need to be ready.
