Luciano Valente was a child of the club at FC Groningen. On Sunday he won with Feyenoord (0-1) against his old friends. “I didn’t even dare to cheer, my parents are supporters of Groningen.”
When Luciano Valente leaves the field with loud applause from the Feyenoord supporters and the fans of FC Groningen, he again realizes how deep his old love is in his heart. “I grew up at FC Groningen, my parents are still supporter of the club. They were already in the stands when I didn’t play there yet. And their son suddenly plays against Groningen. On Sunday I stood opposite my family and friends, that’s how it felt.”
It was crazy to play against Groningen, says Valente in the press room of the Euroborg. “We have a busy schedule, but this competition has of course been in my agenda for a while. This time it was special to be in the dressing room of the visitors this time and to do my warm-up on the other side of the field. But I enjoyed it.”
For a moment the 21-year-old Valente looks at his supporters in the stands when Ayase Ueda Feyenoord sets with a nice header at 0-1. “I wasn’t sure what to do when we scored. I was happy for myself and for the team. It was annoying that it happened against Groningen.
“But after the defeat against Braga in the Europa League we had something to do. Then our game was really substandard. We had to pick ourselves up quickly, otherwise you will end up in a small dip. It was a heavy fight, nice that we could pull the victory.”
Can handle midfield anywhere
Due to the absence of the sick Sem Steijn, Valente plays in the Euroborg as a shadow striker. Although on Sunday he cannot make a difference with his velvet stabs, Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie is again impressed by his versatile midfielder.
“What is his ideal position? Good question. Good football players like Luciano can play everywhere. Luciano does not matter where he is being put down, on six, eight or ten. I see no difference in his behavior, even now that he had a different role as a shadow striker against Groningen today.”
Van Persie emphasizes that Valente only joined the group later this summer, because he was still called up for the European Championship under 21 years old at the last minute. His transfer to Feyenoord was only completed after the European Championship.
“Luciano had to get used to our way of training and the high intensity. He needed a few weeks to find his way. It’s great that he has become an important player for us in a short time.”
Learned in Groningen that he should work hard
Not everyone expected that progression. Not so long ago Valente fought against skepticism in Groningen. Did he really live for football? “If I had made a pan and some nice actions, I was happy,” he told de Volkskrant. Only later did Valente realize that a talent really pays if he also works hard.
At Groningen he had no other choice after relegation to the first division. Coach Dick Lukkien trusted the youth and Valente grew into a gifted playmaker at FC Groningen. Once back in the Eredivisie, Valente immediately gave off his calling card. Groningen received from Feyenoord the main prize (7 million euros) for Valente, the highest transfer fee ever for the club.
On Sunday, the son of an Italian father and Dutch mother will be back in his hometown, after he had previously said goodbye to FC Groningen.
Valente, smiling: “A few days before the game against Groningen, I had contact with some players. We were a bit crazy each other, that should also be possible. Then I let it go. I wanted to win from my measurements, otherwise I have to hear their talks for a long time.”
Fifteen Groningen shirts
When Valente is changed in the final phase, he looks around again in the Euroborg. “I really got goose bumps. It was nice that I was welcomed by the supporters of FC Groningen. They know that the club has a big place in my heart. And that will stay that way. I will soon be sitting with the boys of Groningen in the dressing room to speak a little more extensively.”
Everyone at Groningen wants to trade with Valente from shirt, he tells ESPN with a smile. “I was already afraid of this, I asked the material man fifteen. But if all goes well, I also get fifteen Groningen shirts.”
His parents, too, did not blame him for the hard -fought victory for Feyenoord, says Valente, laughing. “I don’t have to go back to Rotterdam immediately and can come to eat at home in Groningen tonight.”
Luciano Valente was a child of the club at FC Groningen. On Sunday he won (0-1) with feyenoord against his old friends. “I just dare to cheer, my parents are supporters of Groningen.”
When Luciano Valente Leaves The Field on Sunday to Loud Applause from the Feyenoord supporters and the fans of FC Groningen, He realizes Once How Deep his Old Love Lies in His Heart. “I grew up at FC Groningen, My Parents Are Still Supporters of the Club. They were already in the stands when I Wasn’t playing there yet. And now their son is Suddenly Playing Against Groningen. On Sunday I was facing my family and friends, that’s thats, that’s that it.”
It was Strange to Play Against Groningen, Valente Says in the Press Room of the Euroborg. “We have a busy schedule, but this match had of course leg in my diary for a while. It was special for me to be in the visitors’ dressing room this time and to do my warm-up on the other side of the field. But I Enjoyed it.”
Valente, 21, Glances at his supporters in the stands as ayase ueda puts feyenoord 0-1 ahead with a fine header. “I Didn’t Really Know What To Do When We Scored. I Was Happy For Myself and For The Team. It was Annoying That Happed Against Groningen.
“But after the defeat against braga in the Europa League, we had something to make up for. Our game was really substandard then. We had to recover quickly, otherwise you will end up in a small dip. It was a tough fight, great thing.”
Can play anywhere in Midfield
Due to the Absence of the Sick Sem Steijn, Valente is Playing as a Shadow Striker in the Euroborg. AltheHe He Cannot Make the Difference in That Position on Sunday with his Velvet Through Passes, Feyenoord Coach Robin van Persie is Once Again Impressed by His Versatile Midfielder.
“What is his iDeal position? Good question. Good Football Players Like Luciano Can Play Anywhere. Luciano Doesn’t Care He is placed, at Six, Eight or Ten. I see no difference in his Behavior, not just a dod
Van Persie Emphasizes That Valente only Joined the Group Later This Summer Because He was called Up At The Last Moment for the European Championship Under 21. His Transfer to Feyenoord was also Complete After the European Championship.
“Luciano had to get used to our way of training and the high intensity. He needed a few week to find his way. It is impressive that he has Become an important player for us in a short time.”
Learned in Groningen that he has to work hard
Not Everyone Expected that Progression. Not so long ago, Valente Fought Against Skepticism in Groningen. Did he really live for football? “If I had made a panna and some nice moves, I was Happy,” He Told the Volkskrant. Only later did valente realize that a talent only really pays off if he also works hard.
At Groningen he had no other choice after relegation to the first division. Coach Dick Lukkien Trusted the Youth and Valente Grew Into a Gifted Playmaker at FC Groningen. Once Back In The Eredivisie, Valente Imediately Made His Mark. Groningen Received the Top Prize (7 Million Euros) from Feyenoord for Valente, The Highest Transfer Fee Ever For The Club.
On Sunday, the son of an Italian Father and Dutch Mother is back in his hometown for a while, after he had previously said an emotional farewell to fc groningen.
Valente, Smiling: “A Few Days Before the Match Against Groningen I had contact with some players. We were teasing each other a bit, that should be possible. After that I Let it go. I wanted to win from my mats, owherwise.
Fifteen Groningen Shirts
When Valente is substituted in the Final Phase, the looks around the Euroborg Again. “I REALLY GOT Goosebumps. It was nice that I was recurred so well by the supporters of FC Groningen. They know that the club has a big place in my heart. And it will stay that way. I’M Going to Sit With The Boys from Groningen.”
Everyone at Groningen Wants to Swap Shirts with Valente, He says Laughing to ESPN. “I was already afraid of this, I asked the kit man for fifteen. But if all goes well, I will also get fifteen groningen shirts.”
Even his parents did not blame him for Feyenoord’s hard-fought Victory, Says Valente, Laughing. “I don’t have to go straight back to Rotterdam and I can come home to Groningen for dinner tonight.”