Mata: This Is A Special Week

In his latest weekly blog entry, Juan Mata salutes history-maker Wayne Rooney, reflects on Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Stoke City and relishes the Reds' upcoming ties in the EFL Cup and FA Cup...

Hi everyone,
We’re starting a special week. A different one, for we have two games but neither of them is a Premier League fixture. We have the EFL Cup first, and then the FA Cup. Two different challenges that we face with the same goal in our minds: winning both of them.

I look back and I see that we’ve been undefeated for 17 consecutive games. Most of them have been good wins that made us happy, although we’ve also got several draws that were not so easy to take.

It happened on Saturday at Stoke, where we added one point at the end thanks to a great free-kick goal from Wayne Rooney. I want to congratulate Wayne once again. He’s become the top goalscorer in the history of the club and I’m so happy for him. I’m sure that he will keep scoring many more goals and improving his amazing stats.

However, the game left me with a bitter taste. Firstly, we didn’t win. We created chances to get the three points and it makes us mad to see that the ball just doesn’t go in. It’s especially frustrating when you are so unlucky as to score an own goal, when you’re trying precisely to avoid that.

Personally, I don’t remember when was the last time that I scored an own goal; in fact I believe this is the first one. I know it goes with the territory but when it happens to you it hurts. Anyway, this is football and, as always, we have to stay determined and motivated, and carry on.

I’m signing off now. Thank you very much for all the loving messages that you have sent to me, especially after Saturday’s game. Have a nice week.

Hugs,
Juan

Juan's full blog is available to read on his official website, juanmata8.com.

Credit: Manutd.com