TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Spanish side Granada CF have left behind their ‘newly promoted side’ tag and now look ahead to compete with Europe’s finest clubs in the Europa League.
The Spanish side who had their bitter share of ups and downs were outstanding in the previous season which saw them earn promotion to the top flight Spanish league which further saw them hammer Athletic Club 4-0 to take the seventh place in the La Liga and a spot in the second qualifying round of the Europa League on the penultimate day.
They continued their rich form into the new La Liga season recording two back-to-back wins in the opening games to remain at the top of the league table.
“Promotion to the top flight and then everything that happened last season was a dream come true,” stated their striker Antonio Puertas.
Granada CF which comprises of few prominent names like former Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado and loan spell players like Jesus Vallejo (Real Madrid) and Kenedy (Chelsea) qualified for Europa League for the first time..
“We went into every game knowing if we gave a good account of ourselves, we had a great chance of winning. We went for it from the first minute of every match and that really worked for us. Destiny was on our side. I think we were destined to win that final game against Athletic and qualify for Europe,” added Antonio whose side clash against Lokomotive Tbilisi in the Europa League Qualifiers tonight.
Antonio praised his coach Diego Martínez Penas for believing in the 28-year-old when he had a tough time at the club and said, “I owe him everything. I was going through my worst time at the club when he took over as manager. I just was not getting any rhythm on the pitch and show what I was capable of.”
“On a personal level, if I can improve on last season’s stats in terms of assists, goals and games that would be great both for the team and for me,” concluded Antonio who found the net seven times and provided for three assists last season.
