Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice scored the first two direct free-kick goals of his career as Mikel Arteta’s side stunned Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final
Arsenal hero Declan Rice suggested he defied set-piece coach Nicolas Jover over his opening goal in the Gunners’ 3-0 win against Real Madrid. The England midfielder beat Thibaut Courtois with pace and curl to score a direct free-kick for the first time in his career, but suggested the original plan was to cross the ball into the box.
The TV cameras cut to Jover after the goal, with the Frenchman celebrating wildly. After Rice gave his explanation, the Amazon Prime broadcast team joked that Rice was getting his coach in trouble.
“We were saying to cross it,” Rice said. “When they [the defenders in the wall] were over a little bit we saw the space Bukayo [Saka] said if you feel it, go for it. I thought I’m going to take this.
“When you score a goal it’s the best feeling in the world. It didn’t make sense from that angle to cross the ball. It would have to be a delicate pass. And when I saw the wall. It didn’t make sense to cross. You know what, I’m happy I took it because it was magic.”
Rice was then asked more directly about Jover’s celebrations. “He’s claiming for it but he’s told me to cross it!” the former West Ham star replied.
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One goal quickly became two, with Rice sending another free-kick beyond Thibaut Courtois midway through the second period. “I had the confidence from the first one. If it went over the bar it wouldn’t matter,” Rice admitted.
“I don’t think it’s going to hit me what I’ve done tonight,” he added. “It’s a historical night, and to score two goals against Real Madrid. We want to win this competition. But we have to take it one game at a time.”
Arsenal were without a number of senior stars as they welcomed Real Madrid to North London. Among those missing were strikers Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, but deputy Mikel Merino was in the thick of the action through out and got a goal of his own 15 minutes from time.
“We were talking in the dressing room about keeping the pace and tempo, obviously with the help of the crowd on our side,” the former Real Sociedad star said. “The second half was amazing, we played with full gas from the side. When this side plays like that the crowd go with us.”
Reflecting on Rice’s double, he added: “He has one of the best shooting abilities that I’ve seen in my career. I’m not surprised, maybe you are. Hopefully more will come in the future.”
Arsenal will take their three-goal lead to the Bernabeu on April 16 in prime position to make it through to the semi-finals. The night’s other quarter-final is more tightly poised, with Inter Milan winning 2-1 away to Bayern Munich in their first leg.
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