Rondon: I enjoyed scoring like a 20-year-old boy

Salomon Rondon and Nelson Deossa break down Pachuca’s win over Botafogo in the FIFA Derby of the Americas, with the latter looking ahead to an Al Ahly clash.

• Pachuca sunk Botafogo 3-0 in the FIFA Derby of the Americas

• Salomon Rondon and Nelson Deossa reflect on scoring

• Deossa looks ahead to a showdown with Al Ahly

Pachuca’s 3-0 victory over Botafogo in the FIFA Derby of the Americas will be one their fans will never forget. Los Tuzos put the Copa Libertadores champions to the sword with a clinical display of finishing in the second half, showcased in part by forwards Salomon Rondon and Nelson Deossa.

After a festive post-match celebration, the two players told FIFA what made the difference and what it was like scoring in such an important win for the club.

“We knew how to finish when we had chances,” said Rondon. “We were very intense when we had to be. We knew that many things were weighing on them, as much the trip as competing the whole year in the Brasileirao and Copa Libertadores. Those things played in our favor and we had the fortune of taking advantage of that.”

“We came looking [to win] this game in the best manner,” said Deossa. “Thank God we got the result. “This is a step in what we have mapped out, which is to be able to face Real Madrid. Today we faced a great team, the Libertadores champions, who showed a lot of strengths. We were able to counteract those.”

Deossa’s goal at the midway mark deflated the Brazilians’ hope of a comeback, while Rondon’s late effort kicked off the celebrations on the Pachuca touchline. Both players savoured the feeling of netting on the world stage.

“One dreams about this types of scenarios as a boy,” said the 35-year-old Venezuela striker. “You dream about playing in the best stadiums in the world and playing against the world’s best teams. I was able to score today and I enjoyed it like a 20-year-old boy.”

“It feels wonderful to be able to contribute a goal and more so when your team wins,” said Deossa. “So many emotions come out. You think about your family, the thought that they are watching over you and supporting you.”

 

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Up next for Pachuca is Saturday’s FIFA Challenger Cup against Al Ahly of Egypt. The winners will face Real Madrid in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ final. Pachuca will enjoy the Botafogo result for a few more hours, but thoughts will quickly turn to the CAF Champions League holders.

“The little that I have seen, we think that they are also a strong team, they’ve been the Egyptian champions many times,” said Deossa. “We will work to be able to face them in the best manner possible and beat them, which is what we’ve sought to do.”