Newcastle United defender Davide Santon is looking forward to this weekend’s game against Sunderland, and has called the derby clash bigger and more fierce than the Milan derby.
The former Inter Milan player has played quite a few times in one of the most famous derbies in the world; the Inter Milan and AC Milan derby. However, the player insists that the rivalry between Sunderland and Newcastle is much bigger and fiercer.
Newcastle will travel to the Stadium of Light this weekend as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alan-c4244 Pardew looks to continue his unbeaten run over the Toon’s most fierce local rivals.
The manager had last won against Sunderland courtesy of a Ryan Taylor free kick at St. James’ Park, and had drawn in the reverse fixture the same season.
The game at St. James’ Park had however ended in controversial manner as Pardew was involved in a late touchline spat with his opposing manager Martin O’Neill. Both coaches had exchanged heated words and the argument could’ve turned into something much worse.
However, Pardew has since then buried the hatchet, and insists that the incident only happened in the heat of the moment. Both managers had settled their differences at a manager’s convention and had apologized for their behaviour.
Pardew still looks forward to the exciting and hostile atmosphere the Sunderland fans and the Stadium of Light offer, and says that he revels in it.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 player in the Serie A, but says that the Tyne-Wear derby is much more intense.
"The Milan derby is a very important game but not like this one," Santon said. “Here there is more rivalry; everybody thinks about the game, it's fantastic."
Sunday's game will be Santon’s first trip to enemy soil, and he is well aware of the game’s importance. The player is however confident of his side’s chances, and believes they have the upper hand over the Black Cats.
"Sunday we have to win 100%, but it's OK because if we put Shola Ameobi on the pitch and he scores," he added. “It's an important game, which we have to concentrate on and make sure we win. I played the second game [last season], it was fantastic.”
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