Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Gareth Bale have discussed Real Madrid’s Champions League win and their memories of the match.
Iker Casillas has said the victory eased an anxiety that had been building since 2002 and his teammates also admitted to some negative thoughts before Madrid turned around the match with Atletico Madrid.
Alonso, who was suspended for the final, revealed his emotions as he watched the match from the sidelines.
“We suffered a lot, those in the match and those not, but as it was, it was the best way of getting there,” the midfielder recalled, AS reports.
“Winning the Champions League is the most beautiful thing there is.”
Atletico were leading until the final moments of normal time when Sergio Ramos scored the equaliser and Arbeloa, who missed the match through injury, agreed with Alonso.
“I suffered a lot. When Ramos scored the goal it was a unique and unforgettable experience,” the defender remembered.
“It was the extra ball that allowed us to win. There is no better way to win the Champions League.”
Bale, who scored the goal that put Madrid in front for the first time in the tie, added that it’s only in looking back on the match that he realises how momentous it was.
“Looking at the images you’re impressed, you forget how great it was,” the forward continued.
“It was a great satisfaction. We worked throughout the year and the support of the fans made it great.”
