“Ninety minutes in the Bernabeu is a very long time.” It's a famous quote that represents Real Madrid's comeback in their home match. Real Madrid fans say this when they lose in an away match.
And this quote is very accurate and the latest victim was Manchester City. It took 90 minutes, but Real Madrid proved once again that it was the comeback king of the Champions League.
In the round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid were losing 2-0 before Benzema stroke a brilliant hat-trick. An even better treble from the French centre-forward had Madrid 3-1 up and cruising against Chelsea in the quarter-finals. That shows the game at Bernabeu is very tough for the away teams.
But when the quote was first said? In the 84/85 UEFA Cup Semi-Final, Real Madrid played Inter Milan. The first leg where Real Madrid was down by 2-0 in San Siro stadium. After the game, Juanito approached the Inter defender and said one of the most famous and iconic Madrid quotes ever. “Noventa minuti en el Bernabeu son molto longo.”
In the second leg at the Bernabeu, Inter did learn that ninety minutes is indeed a very long time at the Bernabeu as they lost 3-0 to us, Real Madrid reaching the final.
Juanito was a forward in Madrid and played for ten seasons. He was at that time one of the best dribblers in the world. He sadly passed away at the young age of 37 due to a car crash.
But he will always be remembered, the ultras chanting in the Bernabeu 'Illa, Illa, Illa, Juanito Maravilla,' meaning: yes, yes, yes, Juanito was a wonder. He indeed was a wonder and the one to start the never give up attitude that is now a trait of every Real Madrid player.
