Declan Rice’s Free Kick Brilliance: A Tale of Confidence and Encouragement
In the world of football, moments of brilliance often come from unexpected places. On a memorable Tuesday night, Arsenal’s Declan Rice delivered such a moment, leaving fans and pundits alike in awe. The England international’s two sensational free kicks led Arsenal to a commanding 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. But what makes this story even more intriguing is the behind-the-scenes encouragement from his teammate, Bukayo Saka, and the surprising advice from set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
As the match unfolded, Rice found himself in a position to take a free kick. With Jover, known for his significant influence on Arsenal’s set-piece productivity this season, motioning for Rice to whip the ball, it seemed like a straightforward decision. However, Rice revealed post-match that Jover was actually advising him to cross the ball. “He [Jover] is telling me to cross. It didn’t make sense. I’m happy I took it,” Rice said. It was Saka who gave Rice the nudge he needed, saying, “If you feel it, go for it.”
Rice’s decision to trust his instincts paid off spectacularly. “I looked at the wall and the keeper and thought, ‘I can bend this around the outside,'” he explained. The result was a stunning goal that set the tone for the rest of the match. Rice’s confidence only grew from there, leading to his second free kick goal. “The second one, it looks far out. At first I was going to go over the wall but I practise going to the keeper’s side a lot and I just went with it. After the first I just had the confidence,” Rice shared.
Reflecting on his performance, Rice admitted, “It’s not going to hit me now because there’s another leg to go. 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.” For Rice, these goals were not just about the immediate impact on the game but also about proving something to himself. “All my career I’ve had people telling me to shoot more and that I need to create more stuff. It’s confidence. I need to keep reminding myself that I can do it.”
Rice’s strikes were his first-ever goals from a free kick, and they have put Arsenal in a commanding position to reach their first Champions League semifinal since 2009. This achievement is not just a testament to Rice’s skill but also to the power of encouragement and self-belief.
- Declan Rice scored two sensational free kicks.
- Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.
- Bukayo Saka encouraged Rice to “go for it” despite the set-piece coach’s advice to cross.
- Rice’s goals were his first-ever from a free kick.
- Arsenal is now in a strong position to reach their first Champions League semifinal since 2009.
As Arsenal fans celebrate this victory, the story of Rice’s free kicks serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting one’s instincts and the impact of a teammate’s encouragement. With the second leg still to come, Arsenal supporters will be hoping for more moments of magic from Rice and his teammates.
Originally Written by: ESPN
