Blog

Looking forward to Old Trafford

International football has finished and this week we get back to our day-to-day routine to focus on our next game and train with the team. For me, it is a wonderful routine because I am lucky enough to to be able to dedicate my time to something that I’m so passionate about like football. I’m fortunate.

I’ve looked back and we haven’t played at Old Trafford since October 28th, which was more than three weeks ago. It’s been a long while and the team misses it, as you’d expect when your home is somewhere so special. You want to get back to playing there as soon as possible and put in a good showing for the fans. After such a long time, we are heading towards two consecutive home matches. This week we play Crystal Palace, before three days later we go up against Young Boys in the Champions League.

We aren’t going to fall into the trap of thinking that these are games that are easier than others, we are going to play knowing the importance of them, motivated to keep moving forward and to get into December in good spirits. In the last month of the year we have plenty of fixtures and it is key to get to this part of the season in good form in England to ensure you have a more successful campaign.

In Spain, as was the case in many other countries, there was no top-flight football due to the international break, but the second division did continue. I have returned to Manchester happy after Real Oviedo won 2-1 in the Asturian derby. It is a special game, with a big rivalry and a lot of history. This time around, the blue side of Asturias took the win in a great atmosphere in the Tartiere. Without doubt, it is a morale boost for what is to come. As I always say, hopefully in the not-so-distant future the derby can be played in the top flight, where it deserves to be played for the good of Asturian football and the region itself.

Once again, I have to thank you all for your messages about Common Goal. We continue to grow, and not only in terms of football players. We all add up, and that is the most important thing :-). Last week we announced the arrival of Tabea Kemme and Tim Parker and in the coming days we will welcome even more people who believe in the power of football to change the world for good. As you will all know, Giorgio Chiellini is already part of the team and I would like to congratulate him for winning his 100th cap for Italy on Saturday. Congratulations, Giorgio.

I’ll leave it there for today. After some time where I have been able to enjoy myself with family and friends, it is time to get back to training and meet up with my teammates.

Hugs, and I hope you all have a good week.

Juan Mata

Juan

Latest posts

Social