Guti hails Real Madrid U19s after agonizing Champions Cup win
Madrid were reduced to 10 men on 31 minutes and held out for over two hours as the final was decided in extra-time by Óscar Rodríguez.
José María Guti praised his Real Madrid Under-19 team for their great tenacity in today's Youth Champions Cup win over Málaga. Madrid played for over an hour and a half with a man less after midfielder Martín Calderón was sent off for a second bookable offence on 31 minutes.
Óscar wins it in extra-time for Real Madrid's u19s
The game remained locked in stalemate right up until regulation time was up and went into extra-time. Just when the prospect of a penalty shoot-out seemed a real possibility, Óscar Rodríguez beat Málaga keeper Kellyan from a direct free-kick to put Madrid ahead on 116 minutes.
It means that Real Madrid's Under-19s have won the trophy for a record seventh time and automatically book their place in next season's UEFA Youth League but as the senior side is mathematically assured of being in next year's Champions League group stage, runners-up Málaga could enter the Youth League under UEFA's coefficient ranking.
It would have been a shame to end it on penalties, says Guti
An overjoyed Guti told the RFEF after the match: “I’m filled with happiness – not just for winning the Cup but also for the hard work and effort the players put in. I think they did enough to deserve this outcome. I’m very happy and thrilled with my players, who played a great final with a man down. In the end, it was Málaga and not us who were waiting for the final whistle. We’re happy to have scored before it went to penalties – I think it would have been a little unfair to settle this from the penalty spot”.