Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has applauded Joselu and Vinicius Junior for their roles in powering the Spaniards past Bayern Munich and into the final of the Champions League, Soccernet.football reports.
Madrid advanced to the final of the continent’s premier club competition after beating Bayern 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to seal a 4-3 aggregate victory.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for Los Blancos on Wednesday night as Bayern led 1-0 (and 3-2 on aggregate) until the 88th minute.
But Joselu, on loan from Espanyol, produced the most telling impact of his career when he scored twice in three minutes to turn the tie around in favour of Ancelotti’s men.
And the former Chelsea and AC Milan coach is full of praise for the striker, who has shown good professionalism despite playing very few games for Madrid this season.
“He’s a reflection of the team because he has contributed so much this season,” Ancelotti to Madrid’s official website about Joselu.
“He hasn’t had a lot of game time but he’s the perfect reflection of what this team is all about. He has given us so much, without ever losing confidence in what he’s capable of.”
Ancelotti was also pleased with the performance of Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian yet again stood out for Madrid.
After netting the two goals that secured a crucial 2-2 draw for Madrid in the first leg in Munich, Vini had a hand in his side’s equaliser at the Bernabeu. His fierce shot from the edge of the box stung Manuel Neuer’s gloves and Joselu was on hand to punish the goalkeeper’s slip.
Ancelotti expects his star attacker to replicate his brilliance in the final against Borussia Dortmund.
“Very few players are capable of doing what he’s done in this semi-final,” Ancelotti said of Vini.
“We now have a final ahead of us and he’ll be a key player. What he has been able to do in the first and second leg is not very common at all.”
Borussia Dortmund are Real Madrid’s opponent in the final scheduled for Wembley on June 1.
The Germans booked their spot after edging past PSG on a 2-0 aggregate victory.
Madrid advanced to the final of the continent’s premier club competition after beating Bayern 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to seal a 4-3 aggregate victory.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for Los Blancos on Wednesday night as Bayern led 1-0 (and 3-2 on aggregate) until the 88th minute.
But Joselu, on loan from Espanyol, produced the most telling impact of his career when he scored twice in three minutes to turn the tie around in favour of Ancelotti’s men.
And the former Chelsea and AC Milan coach is full of praise for the striker, who has shown good professionalism despite playing very few games for Madrid this season.
“He’s a reflection of the team because he has contributed so much this season,” Ancelotti to Madrid’s official website about Joselu.
“He hasn’t had a lot of game time but he’s the perfect reflection of what this team is all about. He has given us so much, without ever losing confidence in what he’s capable of.”
Ancelotti was also pleased with the performance of Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian yet again stood out for Madrid.
After netting the two goals that secured a crucial 2-2 draw for Madrid in the first leg in Munich, Vini had a hand in his side’s equaliser at the Bernabeu. His fierce shot from the edge of the box stung Manuel Neuer’s gloves and Joselu was on hand to punish the goalkeeper’s slip.
Ancelotti expects his star attacker to replicate his brilliance in the final against Borussia Dortmund.
“Very few players are capable of doing what he’s done in this semi-final,” Ancelotti said of Vini.
“We now have a final ahead of us and he’ll be a key player. What he has been able to do in the first and second leg is not very common at all.”
Borussia Dortmund are Real Madrid’s opponent in the final scheduled for Wembley on June 1.
The Germans booked their spot after edging past PSG on a 2-0 aggregate victory.
