Real Madrid: Lucas Vazquez says “there’s no discussion on that penalty”
Real Madrid won in epic fashion Wednesday against Juventus in the dying minutes of the match. Here’s what the players have to say and their reactions via social media after the match.
A last minute penalty awarded to Real Madrid saw them head through to the semifinals of the Champions League. This is the eighth consecutive year that Real has made it into the semis of the competition. While Los Blancos were unable to win the match, their three goals in the first-leg saved the day.
The controversial call by English referee Michael Oliver had many players from the match quite heated both during and after the match. Players from Real Madrid spoke to the press after the match and shared their thoughts on the tie.
All quotes have been taken directly from the Official Real Madrid page.
Lucas Vazquez
On the Penalty
"Cristiano passed it to me in the six-yard box and when I went to control it the defender hit me and I went down. I don’t think there is any discussion regarding that penalty. We have to be happy having got into the semi-finals, that is the most important. In terms of the arguing, after such a game and a penalty in the final minute… it’s normal that they contest it.” “The Champions League is unforgiving and you have to focus for 90 minutes to be in the competition. We knew how to hold on and that goal from Cristiano was vital. Now whoever we face we must prepare well with good motivation and aim to get to the final.”"
Cristiano Ronaldo
Opening Statement
"“We had to suffer, to learn, it serves as a lesson that in football certain things can never be ruled out. You have to fight until the last and tonight Real Madrid should have scored more but Buffon was brilliant, Juve were good, but we deserved it. We created chances and in terms of the penalty I don’t know why they are arguing, because Benatia was behind Lucas. That’s football.” “Football is a game and anything can happen. We were not good, and we have to admit that. We can learn from that for the future. Step-by-step, we are going to the semi-finals.”"
On the Penalty
“Look, if it wasn’t for that, Lucas would have scored. They were behind us and that is their game. I am happy and we are in the semi-finals. For the penalty, my heart was beating hard, but I tried to stay calm. I knew it would be a decisive penalty, thank God I scored and we went through.”
Dani Carvajal
Opening Statement
"“We didn’t think the game would happen like that, at 0-3. The Champions League is full of tough games, we had that tough game today and now we can celebrate. We had our errors, we did not have that many chances, we should have scored but it didn’t quite happen like that… that’s football.” “When I saw it live I thought that he made clear contact. Lucas is right in front of the goal and if Benatia doesn’t bring him down, he scores. Cristiano puts his penalties away most of the time. He’s getting the goals for the team, which is the important thing.”"
Being the Favorites
“We saw it yesterday with Barcelona, anybody can knock you out and we’ve had a difficult game here tonight. I was confident we’d go through, be it over 90 minutes or after extra time, I knew that we’d progress. There are no favorites at this stage. The four teams in the semi-finals could end up winning it and we’re aware of that as we try to make it through to Kiev.”
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Marcelo
“It was ten times more thrilling than a normal game. You never know what is going to happen in a game like that. We had to perform after those three goals and it is hard to come back against a team like Juventus, they can hit you on the counter and play well. we did it thanks to hard work, humility and the will to achieve more. Every game is different. Since arriving at Real Madrid they have taught me to believe until the last. I was behind the play for the penalty and I saw it as clear as day”.
Toni Kroos
“When ever you fail to score it’s to be expected that you have to dig in. I don’t think it was a bad performance. After Juventus’s opener we played well and carved out several chances, but we didn’t manage to score and that made things difficult for us. I’ve not seen the penalty incident again but for me it was a penalty.”
Jesus Vallejo
"“I was personally really looking forward to the Champions League at the start and at the end we got into the semi-finals, which is the most important point. We did not want it to go down like it did. We wanted to win for the fans, who cheered us to the hilt.” “When Cristiano takes on the responsibility, you have to remain relaxed and keep your focus. I went for the follow-up just in case, but he tucked it away. In injury time, we held out well and were a real unit. After the break we didn’t lose our nerve, we trusted in each other and the penalty perfectly summed up how we kept believing right until the end, even managing to score in injury time to get through to the semi-finals.”"
Debut in the UCL
“I want to thank my teammates, who helped me out a great deal. There are always areas to improve in. I like to watch the games back and analyse them, but I’m really happy. I hope to stay here for many years to come.”
On the atmosphere in the Bernabéu
“It was incredible, it’s a unique experience. You can only really appreciate it when you’re out on the pitch. I want to thank everyone who was supported me, because I’m in a really privileged position right now.”