Rice explains why he disobeyed his coach Jover
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 09.04.25. | 18:53
The scorer of two great goals against Real explained his decision
One, two, three... Arsenal was counting down against Real in London (3:0), but for a knockout, they’ll need to do something similar—or at least stay on their feet—until the end in Madrid next week. Until the ball is kicked off at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, people will be talking about Declan Rice’s brilliance, as he launched Arsenal to a big win with two goals from free kicks.
Rice caught Courtois twice on the wrong foot. Questions will linger in the air about whether Real Madrid’s goalkeeper could’ve done better on both goals.
“With our set piece coach Nicolas Jover we were planning to cross it, he wanted us to reverse cross it. I was stood with Bukayo Saka and I said it didn't feel right to cross it here, and I looked at the wall and then at Courtois and saw the space outside of the wall. Bukayo said: 'If you feel it, take it' and I said: 'You know what, I'm going for it' and if you don't take the risks, you don't score. As soon as it left my foot I knew it had a chance, and its one of the historic moments“ he admitted to Thierry Henry after the game.
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For the second goal—it was a different situation.
“By then, I was already full of confidence. And I scored. I’m not going to get carried away now, because we still have another game. I’m excited, happy, on cloud nine. But this will truly hit me in a few years when I realize just how special what I did tonight really was. But, we have to be ready for the second leg. To see what it’s like playing at the Bernabéu” Declan Rice emphasized.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - QUARTER-FINALS
First leg
Tuesday
Arsenal - Real Madrid 3-0 (0-0)
/Rice 58, 70, Merino 75/
Bayern - Inter 1-2 (0-1)
/Muller 85 - Lautaro 38, Frattesi 88/
Wednesday
22.00: (1.37) Barcelona (5.10) Dortmund (7.75)
22.00: (1.42) PSG (5.00) Aston Villa (7.00)
***odds are subject to change***
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