Former Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares has suggested that Atalanta President Antonio Precassi’s comment about the draw might have “the opposite effect”.
When it became clear that Atalanta were drawn Valencia in the last 16 of the Champions League, the patron at La Dea claimed his team had been handed a “great Christmas gift”.
Former Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares has suggested that Atalanta President Antonio Precassi’s comment about the draw might have “the opposite effect”.
When it became clear that Atalanta were drawn Valencia in the last 16 of the Champions League, the patron at La Dea claimed his team had been handed a “great Christmas gift”.
The Spanish 50-year-old Canizarez, who played 398 matches for Los Che and was capped 46 times by Spain, said it shows that Percassi is the man “behind the desk” and not part of the battle on the pitch.
“I remember as a player, I got very angry when one of our directors publicly stated that he liked a certain draw and that we would go through without any problems,” he told Tuttomercatoweb. “In these cases, you notice who are the once that work behind a desk and those who enter the pitch on Sunday.
“Sentences like this might have the opposite effect of what you hoped for, because it can end up giving you a thousand rivalries and create too many expectations of your own players. Never underestimate an opponent in football, you will need to be cautious ahead of a last 16 in the Champions League.”
But Canizares admitted that Atalanta have a very strong side and expects a “spectacular” and high-paced battle between two “strong” teams.
“Atalanta are a very strong team, especially up front,” he said. “They have many players who are capable of hurting you and who could score more than one goal per game.
“But Valencia also have a great quality in attack, with several elements that can surprise the opponent’s defenders with high pace. I expect a spectacular battle with maximum intensity.”
0 thought on “Canizares: ‘X-mas gift comment a mistake’”