Hercules striker targets victory over Real Madrid
Hercules forward Nelson Valdez insists that lightning can strike once more against La Liga’s big boys as his side prepare to take on leaders Real Madrid at the Estadio Jose Rico Perez on Saturday, 30 October.
Valdez struck twice to condemn defending champions Barcelona to a 2-0 defeat at the Camp Nou earlier this season. That was the most high-profile result in a good campaign so far for newly promoted Hercules, who have also beaten Sevilla and picked up a point
against Villarreal at home to help them to 13th place in the table.
Hercules will have to raise their game once again as they welcome Madrid. However, Los Blancos will be hurting after their 0-0 draw with minnows Murcia in the Copa del Rey in midweek and may be vulnerable.
Valdez is looking forward to the clash with Madrid and believes that his side can defy the odds to pick up the win.
'I have no fear of Madrid'
He told Spanish radio station 780 AM that: “If we were able to win at Barcelona, why could we not repeat it against Real Madrid? I respect them, but I have no fear of them. After Barcelona, I now take on the other half of the Spanish national team. Let’s
see what happens with Real Madrid.”
Valdez is also looking forward to a reunion with Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. He put the ball past the Spain captain for Paraguay at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, only to have his goal against the eventual champions disallowed.
He added that: “I once scored a goal that was disallowed against Casillas, and hopefully this does not happen again.”
Hercules will have their work cut out if they are to pick up three points against Madrid. Under Jose Mourinho, Madrid are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have claimed 20 points from their eight games so far to sit at the top of the league.
Tags: