Raul Gonzalez, under whose technical direction Real Madrid has managed to qualify for the Youth League final for the first time, congratulated his pupils, reminded the protagonists of past generations that they could not achieve this achievement and admitted that, after a good first half, Salzburg made it difficult for them, but asserted that “you don't reach the finals or win titles without suffering.”
In statements to Real Madrid TVHe remembered “all those people and generations that have passed through here and deserved to be (in the final)”, but that on three occasions they stayed in the semifinals and could not reach the final.
He appreciated the effort of his players, who have done “a great job” and who in the first half hurt the Austrian team and scored two goals, but in the second they knew how to defend the advantage after shortening distances the Central Europeans from penalties.
“It is the prize for work,” he said. Raul, who assured that “you do not reach the finals or get titles without suffering”, because he considered that it was difficult for them to get the game forward despite the fact that his pupils knew how to control the direct game of the Austrian team well.
The Madrid coach warned of the value of his team after six months without competing, that he also faced the game with more wear and tear than his rival, since he had had to play one more game, as will happen against him Benfica, his rival in the final on Tuesday.
In his opinion, the final against him Benfica “It's going to be a much more football match” than this semifinal because the Portuguese team has “very talented players.” He praised the quarry of the Lisbon, before which the Real Madrid has fallen in previous editions of this tournament.
Raul admitted that after fulfilling his dreams in his time as a player of the Real Madrid now he has the opportunity to be a coach. The technician of Castile, explained that having the option of directing youth A in this tournament – by leaving the club Dani poyatos– It was “a pleasant surprise” and he took over this team for this final phase with “enthusiasm”.
“But Real Madrid is only happy when they win. This is relative happiness (reaching the final for the first time in history). Now we have to get the boys back as soon as possible,” added the former Madrid attacker, who this Sunday will start prepare for the final on Tuesday in the same stadium Colovray of Nyon from 6:00 p.m.