Justin Kluivert’s winner made an impression on Saturday as a match winner at Valencia. Both from trainer Rubén Baraja and from the Spanish sports newspapers, the 23-year-old attacker received compliments for his performance against Osasuna (1-0).
Kluivert rescued Valencia: “He played a complete game,” was the words of AS
Kluivert scored the only goal in the home game against the visitors from Pamplona on Saturday evening and thus helped Valencia to its second home win in a row. Los Che have therefore left the danger zone in La Liga for the time being. It was not the first time that the former Ajax player made an important contribution to this. Marca calculated that with his goals (this was his fourth) he was already good for five points. “He is the most decisive player in the selection,” he added.
According to AS, Kluivert was the best man on the side of Valencia on Saturday. “He was involved in every opportunity and the maker of the only goal,” writes the sports newspaper. Trainer Baraja agreed with that conclusion. “He played a complete game. This is what we ask of him, that he uses his qualities, his dribble and his shot. He trained very well this week and I was convinced he would do well.”
The competition at Valencia
In recent weeks, Kluivert had to make do with a role as a substitute. Against Osasuna he was preferred to the Brazilian Samuel Lino. “This is good for competition,” says Baraja. “I am happy with Justin’s game and with the attitude of Nico (González, also a substitute against Osasuna) and Lino. The club and the team are the most important,” said the former Valencia player, who was happy with the support of his own supporters in Mestalla.
Valencia desperately needs that support in order not to be relegated from La Liga for the first time since 1986. “The players need to feel what it means to play here. Fan support can help us grow. As a coach and former player, I want them to know what it means to play in Mestalla,” said the club icon, who does not want to cheer too soon now that his team is above the line. “We haven’t achieved anything yet. We know what’s at stake and we have to fight every game.”
