Costa remembers 2007 encounter with Parejo in Copa de Campeones

Two players in the current first team squad played against one another back in 2007 at Juvenil level. On April 29th of that year, Jaume Costa was part of the side that won the Copa de Campeones for the only time in Valencia CF's history, beating Dani Parejo's Real Madrid 3-1 at El Maulí de Antequera.  

“It's a really nice memory that I have from that competition. We had a very good group and I'm still friends with them," recalls Costa. "There was a good atmosphere between everybody, and that was fundamental for us winning. It was an historic year for the Juvenil team."

That season, the team won the league and Copa de Campeones, also reaching the final of the Copa -losing to Albacete.

The team bonding also involved a song that became part of the pre-match ritual.

"It helped us to be more focused, more competitive and, above all, have more confidence in ourselves," remembers Costa. "It went 'This team have the touch. This team have goals. This team have everything to be champions.'"

Beating Antiguoko 3-0 in the quarterfinals and vanquishing RCD Espanyol 2-0 in the semis, they came up against Real Madrid in the final. Coach óscar Fernández had warned his players about the talented midfielder, Parejo, who would cause problems for Valencia CF: The future first team captain would hit the post for Madrid on 70 minutes, just before Patrick scored the goal to make it 3-1 and win VCF the cup.

"I remember Dani had a mop of long hair, like Tarzan," says Costa. "We're good friends, and he knows that his hairstyle is better now! He was their best player and we had to watch out for him. They played very well in that game, but we were more effective."

Nowadays the pair play alongside one another, and in the 13 years since their Copa de Campeones encounter they have grown, matured and become established players. Costa has returned to Valencia CF for a second spell, and hopes to achieve plenty of success alongsde his former rival when football gets back underway.