‘We didn’t stop, we always believed… it shows great mentality’: Kieran Trippier hails Atletico Madrid’s never-say-die spirit after coming from two goals behind to draw with Juventus
- Kieran Trippier played his part in a famous European night for Atletico Madrid
- England full back provided the assist for Hector Herrera’s injury-time equaliser
- Atletico trailed 2-0 after 65 minutes against Juventus in the Champions League
- Trippier has been a massive hit in Spanish capital since move from Tottenham
Kieran Trippier has hailed Atletico Madrid’s never-say-die spirit after playing his part in one of their famous European nights against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus.
The England full back put a pinpoint corner on the head of Hector Herrera in injury time and the Mexican scored to level a match in which they had trailed 2-0.
‘We didn’t stop, we didn’t change, we kept on going, we always believed,’ Trippier said after the 2-2 draw.
Kieran Trippier has hailed Atletico Madrid’s never-say-die spirit following draw with Juventus
‘It shows great mentality to pull it back against a fantastic team. Since I came here, the mentality of the group, the coaching staff, Cholo [Simeone] has been immense.
‘In training it’s 100 miles an hour, we never stop, and we do exactly the same thing in games. When we went 2-0 down we knew we’d get opportunities. We kept on going and the crowd were fantastic as well – I’ve never experienced anything like it.’
Trippier has been a massive hit in the Spanish capital since his move from Tottenham in the summer. He has been praised along with young Brazilian left back Renan Lodi as the revelation signings of the close season.
England full back provided the assist for Hector Herrera’s (third left) injury-time equaliser
Spain’s El Pais said: ‘Trippier and Lodi are a blessing; a breath of air for the team. They are like an escape valve for when there is no space or ideas. Precision on the right [from Trippier] and pure pace on the left [from Lodi].’
Trippier added: ‘On the training field I’m learning so much. I had a really good pre-season. I feel like I’m picking things up very quickly what the team expects from me, going forward and defensively. I’m aware of what they want from me and I’m just trying to deliver it.’
Asked about his duel with Ronaldo who had a difficult night on his return to Madrid he said: ‘Everybody knows how good Ronaldo is. You check your shoulder and then you check your shoulder again and he’s not there.’
Trippier is Atletico’s first English player since 1924. He has vowed to learn the language and make the right-back spot his own.
Performances like Wednesday night’s are huge strides towards the second of those objectives.
Trippier was up against Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League group clash