Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice (41) scores the first of two free kicks during their first-leg UEFA Champions League quarter-final match at Emirates Stadium in London, England, yesterday. (Photo: AFP)
April 9, 2025
Free kick hero Rice revels in Arsenal’s ‘special’ win over Real
Bayern ‘fully believe’ despite Inter setback, says Kompany
Declan Rice admitted his brilliant free kick double in Arsenal’s stunning 3-0 win over UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid was years in the making.
Rice scored with two sublime free-kicks in the second half of the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
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The England midfielder’s long-range rockets were followed by a Mikel Merino goal as Arsenal moved to the brink of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
It was an incredible result, made all the more remarkable by the fact Rice had never scored a free-kick in his career until the first of his set-piece blasts flashed past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.
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“It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar,” Rice said.
“Originally we were going to cross it and then I’ve just seen the wall and the goalkeeper’s position. So I thought, just go for it.
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“The second one I had the confidence. I hit it. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon. But in a few years’ time this will really hit me that what I’ve done tonight was really special.”
Throughout his career with West Ham and now Arsenal, Rice has been known more as a defensive midfielder than a creative force.
But he has been determined to add more goals to his game, with some prompting from teammates and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
“Even at West Ham and ever since I’ve been here, everyone’s been telling me to shoot more,” he said.
“It’s these little things and you’ve got to be in that mindset to score goals. I do have the ability to do it, but it’s a confidence thing.
“I’m always going to have critics, I’m always going to have doubters — that’s football. But as long as I can keep producing on the pitch and doing well, that’s the main thing.”
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said his side “fully believe” in their chances despite Tuesday’s 2-1 home loss to Inter Milan in their quarter-final first leg.
Bayern were dominant early but fell behind when Lautaro Martinez scored for Inter in the 38th minute.
Bayern veteran Thomas Mueller, subbed on by Kompany with 74 minutes gone, looked to have levelled the match and the tie late on, but Inter scored again on the counter through Davide Frattesi in the 88th minute.
“In the first half we were very dominant. We had clear chances and should have scored more goals,” Kompany told reporters.
“Inter’s ahead, but we need to win in Milan. Results aren’t always fair, but it’s half-time.
“We were confident and it’s a shame Inter scored this late goal, but we’ll have the chance again in Milan, that’s how we feel. We’re fully believing in our chances in Milan.”
Bayern striker Harry Kane agreed, saying “there’s 90 minutes to play and we’ve got the players to turn it around.
“Inter celebrated like they won the tie there at the end, but it’s all there to play for.
“We created enough opportunities to hurt them and if we do the same next week, we can turn it around.”
Bayern came into the match missing several injured starters including Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano, but Kompany said his side “were not looking for excuses”.
“The result is what it is, but we feel we can go and win in Milan,” the Belgian added.
The loss was Bayern’s first home defeat in 22 Champions League games dating back to 2021.
