An ecstatic Raul Gonzalez paid tribute his Real Madrid U-19 squad’s UEFA Youth League title and believes the experience was similar to what he felt as a player.
Real Madrid won their first UEFA Youth League title since the competition’s inception in 2013, with Raul’s side defeating Benfica 3-2 in Tuesday’s final in Nyon, Switzerland.
Pablo Rodriguez’s first-half header put the Spanish team in front before an unfortunate injury forced the forward off. Henrique Jocu’s own goal then doubled their advantage ahead of the break.
Goncalo Ramos later pulled one back for Benfica in the second-half before Miguel Gutierrez restored Real Madrid’s two-goal lead. The former, however, ensured a nervy end for Raul and his men by scoring a second later on.
But goalkeeper Luis Lopez was more than up for the challenge, expertly saving a Tiago Dantas penalty and producing more saves in the latter stages of the game.
The beginning of an era … @RaulGonzalez ✨ pic.twitter.com/XfLKAf8hkP
— Real Madrid Centre (@CentreMadrid) August 26, 2020
“Look, I have experienced beautiful things at this club, but this…,” said Raul as quoted on Marca.
“It is comparable to other great moments that I have lived as a player. It is beautiful. We must congratulate [the players].
“It is an important step for their careers and an award for all the people who have worked in the academy, for the players and coaches.
“Congratulations to all Madridistas because this belongs to everyone.”
Raul became only the second person to win the Champions League as a player and later the UEFA Youth League as coach after Porto’s Mario Silva.
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