Valencia midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia has said he will "try to put his emotions to one side" as faces his former football club Sevilla in a La Liga match here on Saturday.
After joining Sevilla in 2012 as a 19-year-old from RC Lens, Kondogbia had an outstanding first season in LaLiga, impressing observers everywhere, reports Efe.
After spells with Monaco and Inter Milan before joining Valencia last summer, the France international said visiting the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan as an opposition footballer will be "special" personally and a tough test for his team.
"It's not easy, obviously," Kondogbia said. "I'm going to try to put my emotions to one side, and give my all for my current club. It will certainly be special for me.
"In footballing terms, it will be very tough because everyone knows how strong Sevilla are at home, but I hope we can get the win. That's what we'll be aiming for."
Kondogbia said he was treated very well in the Andalusian capital, and made friends during his 12-month stay.
"I look back on that period very fondly," he said. "I was only young and it was my first experience in a top European league. I'm very grateful to the club. I had a really good time there, was treated very kindly. I made friends both within football and outside the game."
The now 25-year-old has been outstanding for Valencia this season, and Los Che have taken 13 points from their last five LaLiga games to keep a secure hold on fourth position.
"The team are in really good shape," he said. "We're on a fine run: we got an important draw in Bilbao, we'd won the game before that (against Real Sociedad) and have now just beaten Real Betis. We're feeling good and have built up momentum and confidence."
Sevilla are currently eight points back, in fifth spot, having won four of their last five La Liga fixtures.
"They're a very dangerous team and one of the best in Spain," Kondogbia said. "They are still in the race for Champions League qualification, and there's a reason for that. We know they can be extremely dangerous, even more so on home turf. So we must prepare as well as possible."
With Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, and Sevilla's Argentina midfielder Ever Banega, also facing their former sides, Saturday's game should provide excitement for La Liga fans everywhere.
"It's only natural that a clash between two of the league's top clubs, direct rivals, serves up an enthralling spectacle," said Kondogbia, born in the French town of Nemours to parents from the Central African Republic.
"These matches are always great to play in and to watch. It's definitely one of the biggest games in the division. LaLiga is one of the best leagues in the world. I hope I can keep performing to a high level in this league for as long as possible."
--IANS
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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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