Angulo values Valencia spirit
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Article summary
Miguel Ángel Angulo paid tribute to his Valencia CF team-mates and the Mestalla faithful rather than take credit for his role in a victory which sealed Group D.
Article body
Valencia CF striker Miguel Ángel Angulo paid tribute to his team-mates and the Mestalla faithful rather than take credit for his role in the 2-0 victory against Olympiacos CFP which won Group D for the Spanish side.
Intelligent play
Normally a wide midfielder, Angulo not only powered his team into the lead but patrolled the front line with a mixture of intelligence and ambition, a notable achievement after losing his strike partner David Villa after 22 minutes. "It's at moments like this, with so many injuries, needing to win the group and also thinking ahead to a weekend match against Real Madrid [CF], that the players must group together and perform for each other," he said.
'Special roar'
"What gives me and all the guys extra enjoyment from this result is you could really tell that the fans were enjoying it," added Angulo. "Despite all the problems we've had, we played some good football and did the job which was put in front of us. It's a good feeling to win the group. If I got a little bit of a special roar for my goal then perhaps it is only because I have been here a long time and the fans reserve a little bit of affection for the 'veterans'."
'Professional responsibility'
With the pool in the bag, and a top seeding in the draw for the last 16, Angulo believes Valencia have every right not to play at full throttle at AS Roma on Matchday 6, even though the Giallorossi are not yet through. "Although we have a professional responsibility to go to Italy and play for a win, we also have to avoid any more injuries and any red cards. That way we can start the next round with a much fitter and fuller squad," he said.
Decisive match
For Olympiacos the night yielded little except an injury to Michalis Konstantinou and the challenge of winning their last game at home to FC Shakhtar Donetsk. Victory would put the Greek side into the UEFA Cup via third place in Group D and striker Yiannis Okkas feels that a much shrewder performance will be needed. "We had two disastrous minutes against Valencia - just before and just after half-time" he said, referring to Angulo's opener and Fernando Morientes' second just after the restart. "We now have to beat Shakhtar, and based on our [2-2] draw with them in Ukraine I believe we can do it."
