Actual Madrid’s historical past is a testomony that type is short-term, however class is everlasting.
Each time Los Blancos have regarded down and out, they’ve traditionally discovered a way to return again and show their haters improper, particularly in Europe, the place they’ve constructed a legacy.
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Actual Madrid legend Lucas Vazquez spoke to in a current interview the place he opened up on , together with the staff’s wealthy UEFA Champions League run in current instances.
On the varied managers he has labored with
Vazquez began off speaking concerning the numerous managers he has labored with throughout his time at Actual Madrid, kicking off with the supervisor who introduced him into the first-team setup – Rafa Benítez.
“Properly, I keep in mind that very properly. I used to be on summer season trip when he referred to as me to inform me he wished me to return again. He began explaining to me how he noticed my place within the staff and what he wished from the group.”
“Sure, when it’s mentioned that the coach you began your profession with at Actual Madrid is leaving, that’s a troublesome time stuffed with doubts. However as skilled gamers, we settle for the whole lot and transfer ahead,” he added on the quick time he had with him.
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The following supervisor in line for Vazquez to talk about was Zinedine Zidane, and the participant was all reward for the coach.
“He was a job mannequin for everybody within the locker room. All of us had nice admiration for him. It’s true that in the first place, nobody imagined the success we might obtain, however he was a really simple particular person, all the time clear and direct.”
“He spoke to the gamers in a means that all the time expressed what he was considering, and gave them the significance they deserved, and that’s one thing that’s appreciated,” he added.
On what made Zidane totally different from different managers, Vazquez mentioned,
“What most distinguishes him is his nice confidence within the gamers. Zidane nonetheless felt like a participant and knew how gamers assume. He was very engaged with us, and was very eager on ensuring the gamers have been the precedence.”
UCL success beneath Zidane
The defender commented on the hat-trick of Champions League triumphs beneath Zidane and the way they gained it in his first season.
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“We had nice gamers, however that doesn’t assure success. Zidane was the lacking hyperlink, the one who introduced the whole lot collectively, and who made us all work in the identical path.”
Vazquez was part of a number of UCL-winning groups. (Photograph by Matthias Hangst/Getty Photographs)
“And ultimately, the outcomes converse for themselves. However sure, after all, we have been in a part the place all of the gamers have been extraordinarily bold, and so was the coach. It was an ideal mixture,” he added.
Talking on the 2016 UCL last in opposition to Atletico Madrid at San Siro and what he remembered of the sport particularly taking the primary penalty, the membership legend mentioned,
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“I entered the sphere earlier than additional time, and through the time I performed, I felt good and had excessive confidence. I believe I used to be placing in an excellent efficiency. And ultimately, I advised Bettoni and Zidane that I wished to take a penalty kick.”
“And as quickly as they made the checklist, they put me on the entrance. They requested me if I wished to… I mentioned sure, sure, no downside. However truthfully, I believe I wasn’t absolutely conscious of the whole lot that was taking place (laughs).”
“I felt assured, and I had a sense that I might rating and that it might assist the staff win the Champions League, which is what all of us wished. A very powerful factor in penalty shootouts is for the gamers taking the kicks to be assured of their means to attain. And that’s the way it was,” he added.
Recalling the way it felt to win the UCL for the primary time, Vazquez mentioned,
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“It’s the best achievement, the dream of each footballer. Successful the Champions League is probably the most beneficial cup of all time. The Champions League cup (often known as ‘the large ears’) is probably the most lovely of all.”
“Sure… I keep in mind that celebration properly, how I sprinted from the centre circle to the purpose line. I believe it was the quickest dash of my soccer profession! It was a second of true ecstasy to win my first Champions League title in my very first season,” he added.
He then spoke on successful three UCL titles in a row and what that meant to the dressing room, saying,
“Properly, we knew this wasn’t the standard factor. Three Champions League titles in a row is an unprecedented achievement in historical past, and even to at the present time, it’s nearly unimaginable.”
“Perhaps we didn’t realise its true significance again then, however now, wanting again… we see how nice it was. Successful three Champions League titles in a row, and in the way in which we did it, was an awesome pleasure, and one thing laborious to repeat.”
“And as I mentioned, I believe many elements got here collectively to make us win these three consecutive titles,” he concluded.
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On the current CL triumphs beneath Ancelotti
Vazquez celebrating the 2023/24 UCL title. (Photograph by Justin Setterfield/Getty Photographs)
Vazquez additionally spoke about was the unbelievable run they’d beating PSG, Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis to the title in 2021/22 and the way it felt magical.
“Sure, that’s precisely the way it was. It felt like we had misplaced to Paris Saint-Germain, then we got here again robust due to a superb hat-trick from Karim in quarter-hour.”
“After that, in opposition to Chelsea, we delivered a unbelievable first leg at Stamford Bridge, and once we returned, we made issues tough for ourselves and gained in additional time.”
Elaborating on the Manchester Metropolis recreation, the participant mentioned,
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“Then, the craziest half (laughs), the craziest half was the Manchester Metropolis match. When Rodrygo scored two objectives nearly in stoppage time, we needed to play additional time. What can I say about that?”
“Nobody has a proof for this Champions League, apart from the fixed religion in coming again; the fixed religion in ourselves… and that something is feasible on the Bernabeu. That was the spirit that led us to raise the Champions League trophy,” he added.
Reliving the night time in opposition to Bayern Munich and the thrilling comeback pioneered by Joselu through the 2023/24 season, Vazquez remarked:
“What an evening! An incredible night time! I believe Joselu hasn’t slept for 3 or 4 days, excited about the objectives. Bayern was a really nice staff, and it was one other very powerful match.”
“They performed rather well within the return leg, however in two consecutive assaults, we turned the tables and reached the ultimate with our hero: Joselu. He made an unbelievable contribution to the staff. He’s solely been with us for one season, however he left his mark,” he added.
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The participant was then requested concerning the staff’s poor report in La Liga in comparison with the UEFA Champions League, to which even he admitted shock.
“It’s an odd factor, actually unusual. It’s laborious to elucidate. It simply occurred that means… And I wouldn’t commerce my report for something (smiles).”
“I’m very pleased with what we’ve achieved. However sure, it’s true that we maybe lacked some consistency within the Spanish league whereas we definitely loved it within the Champions League,” he added.