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Here are the skipper's comments following his side's 4-2 shootout.
On the game as a whole, one which required a great deal of effort from his players:
We played a very good game because winning here meant playing well. It was very intense because Celta plays very well. We are satisfied and happy and the team focused. We have a good attitude and we showed that in the field.
On Chicharito, a player who hasn't gotten as many minutes as he probably would've liked this season but someone who is truly coming into his form as of late.
Chicharito is enjoying his moment. The rest of the team did well & its true that we have suffered, but were very effective.
On starter status for certain players:
All our players are non-negotiable as starts but only 11 can play & the rest have to sit on the bench.
His thoughts on the league race:
Right now we do not think about other teams, we only think about what we can do and that's to fight until the end to win Liga. The strategy is very clear. If we win every game, then we force them (Barca) to win every game.
James Rodriguez also acknowledged how important it was to pick up a win today:
We're fighting for everything and we only have five weeks left, we need to be focused at all times. We're thinking about La Liga, in the Champions League...all that's left is to win. Real Madrid is very dangerous when we're given space and Madrid has the right players to take advantage of that. We have to recognize the work of everyone, these are three well-earned points that keep us in the fight.
He even chipped in with some praise for in-form Chicharito:
Chicharito was patient and he deserves everything that's happening to him.
Marcelo also noted how difficult the task was against a Celta side which has been picking up some excellent results this season:
Celta has a lot of quality, They pressed us hard and we didn't enjoy the amount of possession we usually have. We suffered. We'll fight to the end for the league. We knew that we'd suffer but getting through it & winning is the most important thing.
And finally, the man of the hour, Chicharito, expressed his happiness at being at this club:
What I love most is to play football. What I want is enjoy it. The attitude & what you do with your chances is up to one's self. I'm living the moment and enjoying it. I'm a Real Madrid player and I'm enjoying being at the best club in the world.
