Emilio Butragueno has hailed the performance of new Real Madrid signing Luka Modric after Jose Mourinho’s side claimed the Spanish Supercopa on away goals with a 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After being introduced as a late substitute, the former Tottenham man added a fresh energy to the Madrid attack, and almost netted his first goal for the club with a well-struck effort that was cleared from under the crossbar.
Speaking to TVE after the game, Butragueno said: “Modric? I hope this is the first of many titles for him. He knew perfectly what to do when he came to the pitch, well done to him.”
The former Blancos striker, and current director of international relations, went on to praise the attacking verve shown by Madrid in the first half, where goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo, coupled with Adriano’s sending off, looked to have put the tie beyond reach.
He said: “The first 30 – 35 minutes were fantastic. We should have scored 3 or 4 goals and closed out the match. But when they were reduced to 10 men they produced their best football and in the end we had problems. But we held our nerve, and the fans deserved this victory.”
After racing into a two goal lead against the sluggish Catalans, Lionel Messi’s 35-yard free kick put the Blaugrana back in touch, and only a number of fine Iker Casillas saves prevented Tito Vilanova’s team from snatching the trophy.
Commenting on a frantic match, Casillas told reporters: “This is football. In the first leg they had the chance to score the fourth and then we scored to make it 3-2. Here, we had a fantastic first-half, and deserved the victory.”
The Madrid keeper was also quick to praise the supporters inside the stadium, adding: “We owed this to our fans, the trophy is a gift to them. They can see that the team gave its all tonight.”