8 June 2006, by Sean Gillen

Miguel delighted with first season in Spain

Valencia right-back looking forward to Champions League

Valencia’s Portuguese defender Miguel says he is happy with his first season in Spain, and is looking forward to playing Champions League football next season.

The 25-year-old right-back joined the La Liga outfit from Benfica last summer and although Valencia were beaten to second place by Real Madrid, Miguel believes that the season has been a success.

Speaking to the club’s official website from the Portuguese training camp in Germany, Miguel said: “It has been a very good season, it could have been better as we could have reached the runners-up position.”

“In fact, as a group, we’ve reached our major objective, because a team like Valencia always has to fight for major competitions. After the effort made, we’re going to enjoy the Champions League with our supporters.”

On a personal level, Miguel is happy with his performances for Los Ches in his debut campaign, having made the right-back berth his own at the Mestalla.

“I knew that the Spanish League would be difficult, but I’ve made a great effort since the first day in order to help Valencia, as I wanted to come here and to do well in such a league.”

“Valencia is a great team and I followed them from Portugal. Being here and doing well the first year in such a great team is a dream come true.”

When asked about how things were going with Portugal’s preparation for the World Cup, Miguel was in a positive mood, saying: “Very well. Now we’re working on physical recovery because the technical staff wants us to arrive at the World Cup ready.”

“We have won the last two matches (against Luxembourg and Cape Verde). Everyone in Portugal is very hopeful.”