Mata: This Is Intense And Exciting

Each and every Monday during the season, Manchester United star Juan Mata pens a personal blog. This week, he reflects on two emotional Premier League wins for the Reds and looks ahead to this week's crucial back-to-back knockout ties at Old Trafford...

Hi everyone,

This time I’m writing to you with that smile on your face that is the result of the two wins and the good atmosphere within the team. Those two victories were very different but both of them very valuable, and they make us feel optimistic for what’s coming next, which is intense and exciting. Defeating Crystal Palace in the extra time after going 2-0 down has been, for me, one of the moments of the season, with the team showing its ambition, character and personality. A win in these circumstances is always a boost of morale, and it definitely helped us in the second game… None other than Liverpool, that game that is so special, the derby.

The one Saturday, at Old Trafford, was a different, massive game, one of those that you dream about when you are a kid… How lucky we are to experience it at first hand! With the atmosphere of the big days, we felt a lot the support of our crowd and we were able to get the three points thanks to two great finishes from Marcus.

And after a week with two big games, what can we say about the next one. First against Sevilla, on Tuesday, when we also need the support from Old Trafford to get the win and make it to the next round. For the club and for everybody it’s important to move forward in the Champions League and to feel that we are up there, alongside the best teams.

Four days later we will face Brighton, again at home but this time the goal will be to be in the FA Cup semi-finals. Despite their defeat last Saturday, they got quite a few wins in February and they are in a good position to stay in the Premier League, so I’m sure they will fight hard to make it to the next round.

Hugs,

Juan