Former Valencia and Monaco forward Fernando Morientes is hoping Los Che progress from the Champions League play-off.
Morientes represented both clubs, as well as Real Madrid and Liverpool, among others, in his career, but told an interview with AS that his heart is most definitely at Mestalla when it comes to Wednesday’s fixture.
“I want Valencia to win. I hope it’s a good game and Valencia win. I have excellent memories of both teams,” he said.
“I still have a lot of friends in Valencia and I go there a lot. As a player there I won the only trophy missing, the Copa del Rey. I’m more than a fan when it comes to Valencia.
“I also had an unforgettable time at Monaco. They treated me great and we also did the unthinkable, reach the final of the Champions League and knock out Chelsea.
“I see the match as 50-50. They are two very good teams. Valencia had a very interesting year with Nuno Santo and deserve to be in the Champions League.
“I follow Monaco’s results and I know the Coach, Leandro Jardim, personally. He’s a great Coach.
“They didn’t start last year very well but they finished with a spectacular season in Ligue 1 and the Champions League. It seems like they’ve started this one the same.
“They’ve a mix of youth and veterans and have made good signings, like Stephen El Shaarawy, who seems to be a great signing.
“I think Valencia, with a full Mestalla, will win [on Wednesday]. But the tie is 180 minutes and if they don’t go to Monaco with at least two goals, it will be complicated.”
Morientes also offered his thoughts on two current Valencia strikers, Alvaro Negredo and Paco Alcacer, and his current role as Coach of Fuenlabrada.
“They are two very different cases. Alcacer is the No 9 at the moment. He’s the banner of Valencia and a guy who has the knack for goal,” he considered.
“He has all the confidence of the Coach, the club and the fans. It’s different for Negredo.
“He doesn’t enjoy the same confidence and perhaps last year wasn’t what was expected of him. But he is a great striker and he’ll score a lot of goals.
“It’s very good being a Coach. I’m eager to start the season and hope it’s a good one. Before, I was working in the youth system at Madrid, which was a very interesting step in my career.”
