Carlo Ancelotti insists Real Madrid won the Champions League fair and square – despite defeated Atletico’s complaints about stoppage time.
Diego Simeone’s side were furious that five minutes were added at the end of the game as they fought to hold onto their 1-0 lead, with Sergio Ramos eventually netting the all-important equaliser in the fourth extra minute.
But Ancelotti argued that five second-half substitutions, injury delays and some time wasting from Atletico justified the amount of time his team were given in pursuit of their leveller.
“I don’t think five minutes was a lot of added time," said the Italian. “There were a lot of stoppages in the second half. In the end you could say I was a lucky man, but the truth is that we gave our all until the last second.”
Ancelotti also revealed that he was very confident of winning the game in extra time after Real had managed to force an additional 30 minutes, saying: “The most difficult thing was equalising because we really had to dig deep to do that.
“We didn’t have any space and Atletico defended very well. We gave our all and in the end we managed to equalise.
“Then the match changed because of our desire. The goal gave us strength.”
The Italian boss’ post-match press conference was interrupted by the unusual sight of a group of his players, led by Ramos, invading the speaker’s podium to share a moment of celebration with their manager.
And a beaming Ancelotti confirmed the admiration was mutual, giving high praise to his Bernabeu squad as he smiled: “I want to congratulate the players because they’ve been fantastic all year.
Madrid’s performance was notable for another excellent solo display from Angel Di Maria, who was named man of the match after spearheading his team’s attacking play and producing a crucial spark of creation to set up Gareth Bale’s goal to give his team a 2-1 extra time lead.
Di Maria’s displays this season have been even more impressive considering the fact that many observers felt his days at the Bernabeu could be numbered following last summer’s arrival of Bale and Isco, with the Welshman immediately being given Di Maria’s old position on the right wing.
However, Argentine star Di Maria made himself indispensable to Ancelotti with a series of wonderful performances after being moved to a new central position, and he has undoubtedly been one of the key players in Real’s Copa del Rey and Champions League winning campaign.
“It’s amazing to have won my first Champions League title,” Di Maria said.
“It is something you dream of as a kid and I’m very happy. We deserve to be champions.”
Di Maria was back on familiar territory as the game took place in his former team Benfica’s home ground, the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
“I’ve really felt at home this week,” he admitted. “In this stadium I did some great things that brought me to Real Madrid.
“Playing here again made me very happy and winning the Champions League even more so.”
