Team Herald
PANJIM: Following the deadly combination of Coro-Lanza last season, FC Goa’s new signing Miguel Palanca will have a huge role to play for the club after the departure of star midfielder Manuel Lanzarote, who joined for ATK this season.
If one recollects, Lanza-Coro together scored 31 goals of which 13 were scored by Lanzarote, assisting five others, but the former Real Madrid player, aware of last season’s team performance said, “I’m aware of Lanza’s contribution to the team last season. He scored many goals and assists too. And this is exactly what I want to do here. I want to enjoy with the ball. I want to score and assist.”
“I’m so happy to be here and now my dream is to go out and play football,” he added.
Palanca began his career with his local club, Espanyol before signing for Real Madrid, had played alongside Ferran Corominas and is looking ahead for a positive start in India.
“I knew Indian football as I spoke to Coro before signing for FC Goa. I played with him (Coro) is Spain and he told me alot of good things about the club. This made it easy for me to sign for the club. I’m excited to start the season,” he revealed.
Speaking about the Indian Super League, Palanca added, “It’s a nice championship. Ferran told me that the stadiums here are very good and the fans are quite close to the team. It’s a big challenge for me as well to play in another country and to give my best.”
Palanca surely didn’t expect the level of football from the domestic players.
“For me it was a big surprise on the first day as I saw that they (Indian players) have a very good level and I didn’t expect that. We have very good players at our club.”
For me it was a great pre-season because it was in my country making it easy for me. It’s good here as well and I’m just waiting to begin the season.
When asked about what to expect from the upcoming season, Palanca said “I like to play attacking game and they can wait and enjoy my game”
