Valencia

Mata Eager To Relive Gijón Rivalry

Valencia’s goal-happy winger, Juan Mata, like his attacking team-mate, David Villa, is looking forward to the clash with Sporting Gijón this weekend as he prepares to renew an old rivalry.

Nov 14, 2008 6:37:57 AM

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Much of this weekend’s battle between Valencia and Gijón at the Mestalla has been centred around Villa due to his one-time allegiance with the El Molinón club. But El Guaje’s strike partner, Mata, is also eagerly anticipating the encounter, albeit for a slightly different reason.

Mata began his playing career at Real Oviedo, one of the many clubs from Asturias and a team that have a fierce local rivalry with Gijón. And both Villa and Mata have already planned how they will celebrate should they get on the scoresheet.

“I’ve already spoken to Villa and he told me that if he scores, he will not celebrate,” revealed young Mata.

“But for me, I definitely will because I’m a former Oviedo player and there is a certain rivalry (with Gijón), although a healthy one.”

He added: “I’ve already played against them before in el Segunda, but things will be very different in La Liga.”

Finally, the 20-year-old scrutinised his own performances in these early parts of the campaign.

“I am very satisfied to be able to make the team with such regularity. I am in the best form of my career at this stage of the season.

“But I am still improving little by little and I hope I can continue to grow so I can help the team even more,” he concluded.

KS Leong