Adrian could barely hide his delight after scoring to help send Atletico Madrid through to the Champions League final.
Atletico beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge last night, with Adrian netting the first goal for his side after Fernando Torres had put the hosts in front.
Real Madrid will be Atletico’s opponents in the final, to be played on May 24 in Lisbon, but Adrian can’t imagine a greater experience than beating Chelsea.
“I don’t think I’ve scored a goal as important in my career,” Marca reports the forward as saying after the final whistle.
“This is one of the greatest things that can happen to a player and a team, to get into the Champions League final.
“A final is a final. Against a rival it will be a special game for both teams and their supporters.
“Now we have a lot to play for in the League. We have to be outstanding in the League because there are a few crucial games.
“There’ll be time to prepare for the final as we should.”
Adrian was a surprise name in the Atletico starting XI and he revealed he knew he was to play the day before the game, and shared his instructions from Diego Simeone.
“He told me the day before. I was prepared, psyched and looking forward,” Adrian added.
“Any player would like to play in this kind of game. I knew that a good game would help my team.
“Simeone told me try to get the ball at the back post. Alongside Diego [Costa], Koke and Arda [Turan], to join in and try to harm them with runs from deep.
“Ashley Cole couldn’t clear the ball, he was afraid of putting it in his own net, and it got to me so I hit it and it went into the empty part of the goal. Sometimes you hit it perfectly and it goes into the goalkeeper’s hands.”