adminPARIS. — Many Real Madrid fans were disappointed when the club sold Angel di Maria in 2014 and the Paris St Germain midfielder will be keen to remind them what they are missing in Champions League Group A tonight.
Real offloaded the Argentine to Manchester United in part to fund president Florentino Perez’s policy of cherry-picking the stand-out performers at the World Cup, with Germany’s Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez of Colombia arriving shortly before Di Maria’s move.
Following a failed season at United the 27-year-old Di Maria, who is nicknamed “Fideo” (Noodle) due to his wiry frame, moved to the French capital in search of a new lease of life and has made a solid, if unspectacular, start to his Ligue 1 career.
He was a key figure for Real during his four years in Madrid and was named man of the match when they beat city rivals Atletico 4-1 to clinch “La Decima”, a record-extending 10th European Cup crown, in his final season.
Di Maria’s electric run helped set up Gareth Bale to put Real 2-1 ahead. He will also be remembered for the superb cross he sent over for Cristiano Ronaldo to head home and win the 2011 King’s Cup final against Barcelona.
“If I score against Madrid I will not celebrate because at the bottom of my heart I have not forgotten what I experienced there with the Decima,” Di Maria told French TV. A depleted Real strolled to a 3-0 La Liga win at home to Levante on Saturday.
Coach Rafa Benitez is hoping some of the players who were missing through injury, including captain Sergio Ramos, midfielder Luka Modric and forward Karim Benzema, will be back for the clash at the Parc des Princes. — AFP.
Online Reporter