Declan Rice has revealed that a few calm words from Bukayo Saka inspired his extraordinary brace of free-kicks in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The England midfielder, who had never scored a direct free-kick before, delivered two thunderous strikes from 25 yards to hand the Gunners a commanding advantage ahead of next week’s quarter-final return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking after the match, Rice told Amazon Prime that Saka’s pre-kick message was simple but effective: “Just feel it.”
“That’s been the message from the manager since the weekend – we needed to be convinced we could win this game,” Rice said.
“Originally we were going to cross it, but I saw the wall and Courtois’ position, and I just thought, ‘Go for it.’ After the first went in, I had the confidence to hit the second. I’m over the moon.”
Rice was quick to praise Saka’s impact both on and off the ball after the winger returned from injury to provide leadership and support.
“He’s a top guy. To come back the way he has is unbelievable.”
Arsenal, chasing their first-ever Champions League crown, will head to Madrid with a three-goal cushion and the confidence that comes from outclassing the 15-time European champions.
A potential semi-final against Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain now looms if they can finish the job at the Bernabeu.
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