Valencia ambassador in the mixed-zone tells the story about his favorite teams
-Why do you support your current favorite club ?
Arsenal and Barcelona along with Bilbao and Valencia (+ spain, dutch and french national teams). I also follow Sevilla and Tottenham, though since there are only so many hours in the day I don’t follow them as closely. I think the common bond is inventive play (excluding France and, surprisingly, holland this last world cup – I followed Holland since the early 90’s and this past team was a bunch of thugs that had nothing in common with the euro 2008 team and the WC team of 98 – the team with davids, bergkamp, stam, the brothers de boer, overmars, etc?).
-Which piece of advice would you offer your club if you were present at a board meeting ?
I’m not very good with this type of question. I guess, maintain an emphasis on winning but not at the expense of creative play (because there are plenty of italian style teams already).
-What is the low point of the club while you have followed it ?
Newcastle’s comeback vs. Arsenal January/Feb 2011. Arsenal seemed primed to challenge for the league, champions league, etc. and that was the moment it all came undone. Barcelona’s loss to Inter in the Champions league a few seasons back. Not only did Inter not have the courage to actually play the game, Bojan’s last minute score to bring barca back from the brink was disallowed (the calls always go against poor mourinho, or so he continues to insist).
-What is the high point ?
Barcelona’s 5-0 win last season and comeback win last December vs Madrid. Arsenal’s entertaining play in the winter of 2010.
-Which is/are your favorite jersey(s) from your club ?
Barcelona’s anniversary jersey 3 or 4 years ago. Nice collar, straight forward stripes and no “qatar foundation” (and similarly detalied jersey’s a few other years around that time). Recent shirts have gotten lame (please get rid of that bland crew collar).
-When you were a kid which player would you like to become ? or who was your favorite player ?
I actually played lacrosse as a kid and young adult and started getting into soccer after my playing days were past. I’ve always liked the playmakers – iniesta and xavi, of course, but guys like jesus navas (his was the charge up the right wing that led to the spainish wc win), overmars (in years past) and others.