Joselu: "These games are won with heart and Madrid has plenty of that"
"The fans were a 15 out of 10. It's been a series of things that have taken us to where we are," added the scorer of our team's goals.
Joselu, scorer of the brace that sealed Real Madrid's place in the Champions League final at the expense of Bayern München, spoke to the press following the final whistle. The forward reflected: “Hero? I consider myself one of many. The whole squad has had an incredible year in every sense. We've come into this season in unbelievable form. Tonight's game was always going to be difficult, if that's not the case in a Champions League semi-final, we may as well all go home now. To get here after all we've been through, especially early on in the season, it's been really tough. We are deserving of all of this.”
“I'm pleased with how I've been able to contribute, especially today. I try and make the most of my chances. As for two years ago, this is how it feels to be a madridista. I had the opportunity to go and support Madrid and now I get to experience it first-hand."
Who is he thinking of?
“My wife and kids. They're the ones who have been through everything with me throughout my career. My wife has always been there for me in the difficult times. When I've been abroad, when I've had to come back. I'm delighted for her on a night like tonight."
Comeback
“At Madrid, when you draw the game level, people are urging you to pick up the ball and take it to the centre circle because you have to go on and win. We went after the game, we knew at 1-1 we'd get opportunities because the fans were driving us on. We were creating chances. This is the Real Madrid mentality. In the final minutes, we bring that feeling out."
A dream come true
“You always dream about this, about being here at this moment. The first goal was about being sharp, reading the play. They were really fatigued at that stage, they'd dropped into a deep block. It's a dream come true to have nights like this. My dreams aren't as beautiful as what happened today. As a forward, you dream of scoring goals, and if they're like tonight's then even better."
17 goals
“I came here to contribute and do my bit. The coach knew what I could offer at the start of the season, and so did I. I'm pleased to have won the LaLiga title and to be in the Champions League final.”
How do you win these games?
“We've won and we're in the final. Games are won on desire and with heart. The coach told us that before the game. You have to win these games with heart as well and Madrid has plenty of that."
The fans
“Unbeatable. It's a dream. We saw the Bernabéu in a certain way at the start of the season and we've seen it in a different light towards the end. The fans were a 15 out of 10, like the final we're playing. It's been a series of things that have taken us to where we are."
His future
“I'm focusing on what happened tonight and the fact that we have a Champions League final to play in three weeks' time. There will be time to talk about the future. I want to be at 100% these coming weeks and then we'll discuss it."
The first goal
“I was praying, asking whoever was up there not to rule it out. I knew if that goal was allowed, we'd defend the result tooth and nail. In the end they gave it, it was a legitimate goal."