The match between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid left a lot of controversy and discussion. Despite the tension experienced, Luka Modric, one of the most experienced players of the white team, broke his silence after the match. With just four words, the Croatian cleared doubts and shared his vision of what happened on the Metropolitano field.
A Match Conditioned from the Start
Modric acknowledged that the match was very complicated, especially because of how it unfolded from the first minute. In his words, Atlético's early goal conditioned the development of the game. "A tough match," noted the Croatian, referring to Antoine Griezmann's goal that put his team at a disadvantage.
The red-and-white team defended with great solidity after the goal, and that made the game less attractive. Modric highlighted that, despite this initial blow, Madrid knew how to react.
"We knew how to react and we were good," he commented, making it clear that the team's mentality was key to overcoming the difficulties. However, he also described the match as "ugly," as Atlético opted for a defensive style, waiting for counterattacks and leaving few gaps.
The Penalty Controversy
One of the most talked-about moments was Julián Álvarez's penalty, which wasn't awarded due to an alleged double touch of the ball. Many were surprised by the referee's decision, but Modric wasn't surprised by the rule.
"It's the rule. It's bad luck for him, and good for us," said the Madrid midfielder very naturally.
For him, these types of situations are part of soccer, and the merengue team couldn't get carried away by the controversy. Despite the criticisms, Modric focused on what really mattered: the qualification to the quarterfinals.
The Epic of Real Madrid
One of the most notable aspects of the interview was how Modric referred to his team's "epic." Real Madrid has been characterized over the years by overcoming adversities and emerging victorious in difficult situations.
In this match, that characteristic was evident again. Modric emphasized the collective effort and character of his team to withstand the type of match Atlético proposed.
"It's a machine of overcoming," highlighted the Croatian, who praised his teammates for not giving up and continuing to fight. Despite the difficulties, Madrid managed to force penalties and, finally, overcome Atlético to advance to the next phase.