A Little Forgiveness

By: Cesar | September 24th, 2007

I admit to not being the most consistent blogger on the Offside.
For one, I have a day job.
Two, I have other things that take up my time, like living, eating and watching football.

Unfortunately, this weekend was one of those where life (and the occasional meal) intervened and didn’t allow me to watch football. Hence, I wasn’t able to watch the Valencia match. These things happen. I’ll have to rectify that somehow.

Anyways, our boys managed an impressive 2-1 victory over Real Betis, Joaquin’s former squad.

Before the match, the 26-year-old winger said he had no intention of celebrating a goal should he score. He said that he’d even be slightly upset at having bitten the hand that once fed him.

“If I score, then it will be the saddest goal,” he said. “Because it would be against the team that gave me everything.”

The born-and-bred Sevillano displayed an amazing amount of class upon scoring in the 82nd minute. He clasped his hands, asking for forgiveness from a crowd that chanted his name so many times before and started to chant his name again. Upon being substituted in the 85th minute, the crowd at the Ruiz de Lopera gave him a grand ovation. The tears were evident in his eyes.

After the match, Joaquin said he was happy for many reasons. “I’m happy for the win. These three points are important for us,” he said. “Secondly, I’m happy for the affection the crowd demonstrated, because it’s reciprocal. I ask for forgiveness for scoring. It was a bit of respect (after scoring, he clasped his hands together asking for forgiveness) for a fan base that always treated me good and that knows what I gave for this team when I was here.”

He said he was emotional to see the crowd so hyped. ‘The applause was because they know I am Bético and I’ll always be until I die.’ Beauitful words for a beautiful display from fan and player. Something you don’t often see in American sports.

Besides that, the team looked good. I didn’t see the game so I can’t be as detailed as I would like.
But from what I read, Miguel scored a wonder goal. Joaquin was brilliant. And the team played well for possibly the first time this season. This’ll buy Quique Sanchez Flores some breathing space from a frothing Mestalla crowd that called for his head during the last game. You know how I feel about that …

Who knows, though? Maybe Valencia is hitting their stride after a slow beginning to the season.
After the match, striker/winger Angulo said, “We have played seven official games and won six of them and that means that the team is in good shape,” he explained.

“Every player has shown what they can do and why we are in such great form.”

Reflecting on the criticism from the stands and from the media, Angulo said that when the pressure is on the squad stick together.

“It creates an environment and we always look to keep ourselves away from it all, even when the comments are positive,” he continued. “We are used to things being like that. There has to be a line drawn and to look at the positive things, even when we have won and not played that well.

“In these last two games we have seen a different Valencia, one that is more compact and creating more chances.

“We want to prove that we are ready to fight for a trophy this season.

“People are free to express their opinions.”

That they are.
On to the next game, and a date with Getafe on Wednesday at the Mestalla.

Getafe have 2 points from 4 matches and lie next-to-last in the table, right next to our friends Levante. It should be a gimme game, but you never know. We all know Valencia’s form against teams they should beat. After that, it’s matches against Recreativo, Chelsea (who are in chaos at the moment), Espanyol and Deportivo. We could win all those matches. We SHOULD win all those matches (sorry, Blues fans).

Let’s see what Flores can pull out of his magic hat. Maybe Angulo is right. Maybe the early season panic was just that: panic. Maybe I should keep my opinions to myself and not jump off a bridge at every bad pass or missed opportunity to pick up points.

Or maybe we should just wait and see. Or in my case, read. Because I don’t think I’ll be able to watch Wednesday’s match, either. Not shown here in the States. Bugger!

P.s. Can we please see Zigic? PLEASE?? Play the guy already!

**EDIT: Maybe this is why I should watch the games or at least the highlights before I post. To see the highlights, please click here! I’ve done a very bad job.
For instance, I didn’t know Hildebrand actually PLAYED! Horrible goal he gave up.
- Nice miss by Arizmendi on an open net. What a waste. Is this the best he can do?
- Is Morientes ok? He looked hurt during Joaquin’s goal.
- Silva looked great. Nice pace, good passing.
- What a goal by Miguel. Great deke, nice moves.

Ok, I promise to do better next time. I’ve learned my lesson. A little forgiveness?? AMUNT!