Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Arbeloa says cup win a surprise, as Pepe hails Zidane

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive penalty in a 5-3 shoot-out win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday after the clash finished locked at 1-1.
Real Madrid's players hold the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at San Siro Stadium in Milan, on May 28, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

Real Madrid’s players hold the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at San Siro Stadium in Milan, on May 28, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa lauded his team for a Champions League success he said no-one expected just four months ago.

Zinedine Zidane replaced the sacked Rafael Benitez in January, helping Madrid to second in La Liga and to their European success.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive penalty in a 5-3 shoot-out win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday after the clash finished locked at 1-1.

Arbeloa, who will leave the club this off-season, said it was the unlikeliest of 11th Champions League crowns.

“This is Real Madrid. There is no better example than the trophy we just lifted,” he said.

“Four months ago, nobody can imagine it and here we are European champions for an 11th time and this is the Real Madrid, that’s why we are the best team of the world.”

Arbeloa added: “I want also to congratulate Atletico Madrid because they have been a worthy rival and I want to wish them luck to the future.”

Meanwhile, Pepe has hailed Zidane’s influence on the dressing room after they claimed the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.

A penalty shoot-out win over city rivals Atletico Madrid saw Madrid win their 11th European crown after a tense 1-1 draw at San Siro on Saturday.

Zidane, who lifted the trophy as a player in 2002, becomes the second man to have gone on to win it as coach at the Santiago Bernabeu, following in the footsteps of former midfield great Miguel Munoz.

And Pepe could only praise the impact the former France star has had at the club since he replaced Rafael Benitez in January.

0 Comments