Valencia head coach, Carlos Corberan, praised Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar after the Nigerian found the back of the net last night, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Real Sociedad loanee joined Los Ches two weeks ago after struggling for playing time with his parent club. He came off the bench in Valencia's 2-0 win over Eldense in the Copa Del Rey, and again in their 1-1 draw against Sevilla.
However, his first goal for Valencia came last night against Ourense. In his first start, Sadiq found the back of the net in the 78th minute after some beautiful footwork on the edge of the opposition box. He curled a brilliant finish into the top corner.
Umar Sadiq’s first goal in a @valenciacf_en shirt ! More to come. pic.twitter.com/mBtgdsez09
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) January 14, 2025
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Speaking after the game, Valencia's coach, Carlos Corberan, heaped praise on the former Rangers striker. Additionally, the former West Bromwich Albion gaffer promised to help return Sadiq to his goalscoring form.
“Have you seen how close he gets to goal? He has made an individual action by getting an important goal and that goal will surely give him confidence to score many more. I'm satisfied with the minutes, they're going to help him keep growing as a footballer.
“The goal, being a striker gives him a confidence point that is important to continue helping them in that facet. I've seen a Sadiq with a lot of desire and that desire to play and get his version back and score. I also want to increase that desire to contribute to the game at all times,” the Spanish coach said in quotes revealed by Valencia's official website.
“We are going to fight for the competitions we play in. Our priority doesn’t change, we know the objective we have, but we are not going to give away a competition we are in.
“It is a source of pride to see the Valencia fans who have travelled here and that speaks of the greatness of this team and that should encourage us to continue fighting for all the competitions we are involved in,” the former Olympiacos manager concluded.
Valencia will face the winner of the tie between Pontevedra and Getafe in the quarter-final of the Copa Del Rey.
