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Nacho, Joselu react after Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid: “There is a long way to go”

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Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

Joselu and Dani Ceballos were the heroes for Real Madrid last night en route to a memorable 3-2 win over Union Berlin. The clash put obstacles to no end in the Merengues’ path, but the men in white fought on regardless to come out on top.

After Real Madrid took a comfortable 2-1 lead in the second half, the opposition equalised with only five minutes left on the clock. Yet, Dani Ceballos conjured up a winner with one minute remaining.

Joselu was one of the players to speak to the press, and the Spanish striker began by expressing his elation over being a Real Madrid player.

“For me, wearing this shirt is a pride and a pleasure. It’s been a dream since I was a child. In the end, I try to contribute as much as possible when I put on this shirt and games like today’s are what you dream of every day.”

Speaking on his role in the team, he said: “I’m happy to bring goals and good feelings to the team and get three more points in Champions League. I try to contribute the maximum to the team in all the games like today, which was important to win.”

“You always have to show your face when you put on this shirt. We knew it was a complicated game and we had to take it out,” he added.

Despite getting the three points, Real Madrid were not in control of the proceedings as they would have liked to.

“We have never lost our face to the game. We got lost at halftime but we knew that we were going to have control because of the way they play,” he said about the same.

“This Madrid is going all out and wants to get the victory against any type of rival even if we were qualified before the match. This is Real Madrid and we always want to win,” he added.

On Real Madrid’s feat of winning all six games of the group stages, the match-winner said: “The balance has been very positive. We are going undefeated to the round of 16. It is the work we had to do and we have prepared it well during these days. The team has met expectations in this Group Phase and now let’s wait for what we have to do.”

Finally, Joselu talked the media through his two goals on the night and how they built up.

“In the first, I won the position to the defender. It’s a good cross from Rodrygo. I try to win from above and take advantage of the corpulence and place it on a stick.”

“In the second, I let the ball pass between my legs because I saw Fran García from behind. I ask him to put it on the first stick and I make a good demarcation and I try to throw myself on the iron with the fortune that she has entered. I’m happy because they have served to win the game,” he concluded.

Nacho calls for alertness

Nacho warns Real Madrid need to be more alert. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Speaking to the media after the game, Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez discussed the result that unfolded on the night and the manner in which it played out.

“We came to win. We were qualified as first in the group but this shield requires competing and winning each game. We are happy. The game has indeed been complicated when we missed the penalty but then we have been able to recover. It’s also good to win the games.”

Nacho then stressed how Union Berlin capitalised on Real Madrid’s moment of slackness on the night and the importance of being alert throughout the ninety minutes.

“This is football. They catch you 10 seconds misplaced and we have conceded a goal. We have made up for the break and we have made a good game in general.”

“We are all important. We have a very good and complete staff. Those of us who have played today have done a great job and we have the confidence to help the team,” he added on the team’s harmony behind the scenes.

Finally, Nacho gave his two cents on the upcoming stages of the competition and the team’s approach to the same.

“The coach can make decisions and he won’t go wrong because we are all ready. We are going to wait for the draw but there is a long way to go for the round of 16. We have to focus on La Liga and finish and start the year well.”

Source: Real Madrid website

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Real Madrid News

Tottenham eye free transfer swoop for Real Madrid veteran defender – report

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Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.

The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.

As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.

Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger

And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.

The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.

Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Tottenham interested in Rudiger. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.

The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.

Time to move on?

Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.

After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.

Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Rudiger’s contract at Real Madrid expires in 2027. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.

Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.

As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.

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