Valencia's Juan Mata says he idolized Ryan Giggs
Valencia winger Juan Mata has revealed that he idolized Manchester United star Ryan Giggs while he was growing up.
Mata is preparing to take on the English Premier League giants when Valencia meets them in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Tuesday. He spoke of his disappointment, saying that he would regret not having the opportunity to face his boyhood hero at
the Mestalla.
The Welshman has remained at home since Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson learned that the 36-year-old would not be fit for the match. Giggs had picked up a slight hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers on the weekend.
Nevertheless, Mata took the opportunity before the game to speak of his admiration for Giggs, whose style of play he used to imitate, since both players are left-sided.
Mata said in an interview with Spanish daily newspaper AS that, “I used to talk about Giggs a lot, because he was left-footed like me and I used to watch his movements. It is a pity that he won’t play, because I would have loved to change my shirt
with him.”
Valencia lead the group after beating Turkish champions 4-0 away from home in the opening match, while United could only draw with Scottish Premier League champions Rangers at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, despite losing the hugely talented duo of David Villa and David Silva to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively, Valencia has still managed to out-perform expectations, and is sitting at the top of the La Liga standings after five games. Mata
took the opportunity to explain why his club was able to achieve such considerable early season success.
He said that, “It is clear that Villa and Silva were important to us, but the club has done well this summer and has been successful with their signings. The squad is very balanced, and in the dressing room we are very confident of our chances. Valencia
is going well.”
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