Reyes: I Want To Beat Real Madrid More Than Any Atletico Fan

The striker is looking to remove a 'thorn in his side' by getting one over on Real.

Jose Reyes, Atletico de Madrid (Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid forward Jose Antonio Reyes insists he wants to beat Real Madrid more than any of the Atleti fans when the two sides meet in the city derby at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

Reyes spent the 2006/07 season on loan at Real from Arsenal and has so far failed to win over Los Colchoneros fans since joining them the following season.

He has revealed that he has "a thorn in his side" about his time at the Bernabeu and says that their is "nothing better than the Atletico shirt to get it out" and added that scoring against Real would be "the most beautiful goal".

The 26-year-old admitted he struggled to cope with the cold reception from the Atleti fans but says a recent shift in attitude has given him confidence and added that the change of coach at Atleti has given him a new lifeline.

"I struggled, especially my family, but the other day everyone was standing and applauding, and that to me and any player gives you some confidence," he remarked.

"Abel [Resino] damaged me. Quique [Flores] has given us great confidence, not only me but any player. Abel did not talk to any player, only the usual two."


Paul Madden, Goal.com

For more on Spain click ahead to Goal.com's Spain homepage
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
6 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February

    The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.

  2. DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream

    In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.

  3. ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein

    Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.

  4. LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction

    With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?

  5. ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment

    Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.

 
Advertisement
Advertisement