Mista: “The UEFA Cup win was a special night for everybody”

Miguel Ángel Ferrer, AKA ‘Mista’, was the ideal man to talk to on the 16th anniversary of Valencia CF’s 2004 UEFA Cup win, and he was on the line with VCF Media on Tuesday. The striker, who scored a goal and won a penalty in the famous final against Olympique Marseille, described what the occasion was like for him, and what his fondest memories are of that time.

“Time flies! It was a special night for us, for the fans and I think for everybody who remembers it,” said Mista from Canada, where he has moved to take on a coaching role at new CPL side Atletico Ottawa.

“It’s inevitable that thoughts of that LaLiga and UEFA Cup double come to mind, as that wonderful year made a mark on us all. Time goes by fast, but fortunately nobody can take away your memories.”

“On that night, all of my dreams came true in 90 minutes. I played in the final, was the Man Of The Match and won a European trophy. I’m a lucky man to have experienced that, and to have belonged to the Valencia CF family.”

He was, of course, asked to describe the two moments that he participated in that proved decisive in the final.

“It was a typical Curro Torres cross to the back post. I brought it down very well, and I saw (goalkeeper) Barthez coming out to me. I couldn’t get a shot off. That was the moment that changed the game, I think,” says Mista of the penalty that he won, subsequently converted by Vicente on the stroke of halftime.

It was Vicente who set up the second goal, providing the assist for Mista.

“When the ball bounced, I didn’t have much time to try to control it, because the defence were moving towards me. The ball from Vicente was very good, and half of the goal was down to the control. I brought it down with my chest and it fell perfectly. The goalkeeper was halfway off his line, and I struck it with my instep and some of the outside of my boot. I think that these 15 seconds are the best of my footballing career.”

As for the jubilant celebrations, they also made an impact on Mista, who explains that the squad had some unfinished business in European competition.

“You have to be aware of the situation. There were a lot of people in the squad who had lost a Champions League final. after losing two Champions League finals. A lot of people were ‘owed something’ by football. Seeing that joy, that weight lifted from their shoulders, was unforgettable, as was seeing the amount of people from Valencia who had come so far, enjoying it as much as us.”