Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho says he cannot describe the feeling of scoring in the Manchester derby. With Manchester City first choi...
Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho says he cannot describe the feeling of scoring in the Manchester derby.
With Manchester City first choice striker
Sergio Aguero , Iheanacho started the derby against Manchester United and scored » .
The 20-year-old described that day as a dream come true for him to start and score in the derby.
"It took me some time to prove myself to get into the first-team squad, but everything I have been through, all the difficult times, have been worth it ," Iheanacho wrote in the Players' Tribune .
"In September, I achieved something that every boy dreams about. I walked out onto the pitch at Old Trafford as a starter in the Manchester derby.
"Because I was only 19, I did not expect to be in the starting XI. I tried to tell myself, it was just a game of football but it is not a normal game.
"The atmosphere and intensity give you a very different feeling as soon as you step on the pitch. It was war for 90 minutes.
"In the 36th minute something really amazing happened. I was standing in front of the United goal when Kevin De Bruyne's shot struck the post.
"The ball came right to my feet and I kicked it into the back of the net without thinking. I looked over to the linesman, not believing that I had really scored. The flag was down. I was onside.
"My team-mates ran over to me, and I felt what I can only describe as the 'Manchester Derby Feeling.
"No-one can know how I felt unless they've scored in the derby. I did not even celebrate. The feeling was too much ."
Iheanacho and his Manchester City teammate will next face Tottenham at home in the Premier League.
COMMENTS