Declan Rice scored two brilliant free kicks to give Arsenal control over their quarterfinals of the Champions League against Real Madrid, with Bukayo Saka played a key role in the first
Bukayo Saka sent a final second message of advice to Declan Rice just before the midfielder shot in his first free kick against Real Madrid. Rice scored two brilliant set pieces to bring the gunners in total control over their quarter-final collision of the Champions League against the La Liga Giants.
They are the first direct free kicks that Rice has scored in his entire career so far. With the game on the aimless on the way to the 58th minute, Rice bowed his shot around the Madrid wall and in the net to make Arsenal forward.
Saka, who made his first start since his return of a long injury movement, also stood by the ball before Rice performed. The Englishman revealed that his teammate had given him two words of advice just before he scored.
Rice was planning to cross the set piece to one of his teammates, but instead chose to shoot after Saka had told him to 'feel it'. The midfielder revealed that after spotting the wall and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois he chose to scrap his plan and shoot from more than 29 meters.
“That is the manager's message since the weekend that we must be convinced that we can win this game. And as a group of players we were really convinced and we were there as a team. In the second half we knew we had to score to score three,” he said Prime Video.
“It has been in the cupboard and I got the wall too often or it went over the bar. Originally we would cross it and then I just saw the wall and goalkeeper of the goalkeeper. I just thought for it. Bukayo said it to feel it and I saw the outside of the wall and I just had the confidence.
“It is not going to touch me yet because there is another leg to go. I am happy, I am in the clouds, but in a few years this will touch me. To come back in the time he [Saka] Has done is incredible, he is unreal. We must be ready for next week because it is the Bernabeu. “
With 20 minutes to go, Rice stepped up again and somehow managed to improve his first strike. This time he hit the ball over the wall and shot in the opposite top corner, with Madrid keeper Courtois left helplessly.
Rice was forced by injury with 10 minutes to go, with Kieran Tierney replacing him. The international of England was praised for his husband of the competition performance by the legend Alan Shearer from Newcastle.
“You thought the first was impressive? Goodness me. The accuracy, power, the bend and control on it. Thibaut Courtois left a big gap because he thought he would go over the wall. It just sensational. Courtois is nowhere in the neighborhood, “he told Amazon Prime.
“It is absolutely incredible. If you remove the two goals from Declan Rice, his performance back to front was so impressive – his tackling, his moving forward with the ball.
“What a position Arsenal has now applied. They have been so impressive in this second half. They have done everything well. They have been sensational and they deserve to be in this position.”
Mikel Merino added a third goal shortly thereafter, where Arsenal saw a 3-0 win. They will take the lead in the Bernabeu in the second stage next week.
Become a member of our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of mirror football content. We also deal with our members of the community on special offers, promotions and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can view every time you like. If you are curious, you can read our privacy statement.