Castañeda: “We will have options to score at the Bernabéu”

Frank Miguel Castañeda Pérez (July 17, 1994, Cali, Colombia) He is the great star and captain of the unknown Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldavia who will visit the Santiago Bernabéu tomorrow. Last season he scored 33 goals and gave 16 assists, record numbers. He left his country with the idea of ​​playing the most important competitions in the world, and that is how it is. Stepping on the white coliseum is a dream for him, who declares himself a Madridista. However, you see your team with options to score and scratch some point on your visit.

How is it?

Everything is great thanks to God.

How does a Colombian player get to play for a team from Moldova?

I was in Slovakia, playing for Senica. There my contract ran out, with my agent (Maurizio Preziosi) we began to look at options and the Sheriff's appeared. At that time it was interesting because I had the option to participate in tournaments like the Champions League or the Europa League. It was a dream for me to play those tournaments, that's why I chose to come here.

How do you remember the moment when you decided to come to Europe from Colombia? Was it difficult to make the decision?

At that time I was clear that I wanted to come to Europe because I was not playing in the team I was playing for (Orsomarso SC) and they did not put me in my position either. At that time, my agent told me that I was losing because I was not playing in the position that was best for me. That's why I didn't think twice when he told me that there was a possibility to come.

How do you live in a place as unknown as Tiraspol and what is it like to work in a team where there are players of more than a dozen nationalities?

It is a small city, but it has everything a professional gamer needs. They live very well and they welcomed me perfectly. And in the team, there are groups. We South Americans, Africans, Moldovans get together … but then on the pitch we understand each other very well. That's why things are going well for us. On the court we all fight as one.

They have had to overcome four previous rounds to reach the group stage of this Champions League. Did they trust they could do it from the beginning or did they see it as impossible?

At first we thought it was an impossible dream, but we all worked very hard to complete it. Especially in the last two rounds. All four were very difficult, but in the third against Red Star and in the last against Dinamo Zagreb there was a higher level and we were able to show that we were ready to reach the group stage. Obviously, when we do, you don't believe it at first. You get excited. But later you realize that you are going to play the Champions League and now we are showing that we are going to take advantage of this opportunity.

The icing on the cake is here: playing against Madrid and at the Bernabéu. Did you imagine something like this when you took your first steps as a footballer in Colombia?

I had dreamed it because I am a Madrid fan of the Spanish teams. He dreamed of being able to be in that stadium. Obviously one imagines with the Madrid shirt on, but I think the plans have been different (laughs). Now I am at the Sheriff where I am very happy and where we were lucky to qualify. Now we can fulfill the dream of playing in that great stadium that is the Bernabéu.

When you think you're going to play at the Bernabéu, what goes through your head?

Many things happen. Remember when you played as a child and you thought you were at the Bernabéu, but in reality you were on your neighborhood court and not now, now you are playing there. Many childhood memories come to mind and everything one has had to go through to get there and appreciate these things. I think it will be a great experience to be able to step on that court.

On paper, the Sheriff is the weakest opponent in the group, but on matchday one they showed against Shakhtar (2-0 win) that they are not here just to enjoy the experience …

Everyone says we are the Cinderella of the group, the weakest, but I think the roles have changed since we won the Shakthar. I think that the other teams no longer see him as a tough opponent and that at any moment we can take that blow to win the game. We have earned that respect and with it we are going to face each of the rivals in this Champions League.

What are the virtues of this Sheriff and how can they surprise Madrid?

In the counterattacks is where we are strongest. We have very fast players at the top and we are very smart when it comes to attacking. We are a team that defends ourselves very well and that at any moment we can strike that blow. When people least expect it, we score. It is difficult to score a goal because we close behind very well and in the last quarter of the court we are decisive, so I think we will have options to score at the Bernabéu.

What would be a good result for you?

For us a draw would be magnificent. We cannot ignore what Real Madrid is and what it represents for the Champions League. But the main thing is to go to win, and if that way you can't, a draw would be very good.

Is there a Madrid player that you are especially excited to face?

I have followed Benzema for a long time. I look at his movements because he is a great striker. I think he is a great Madrid benchmark.

Will you ask for the shirt?

In due course, if I have the opportunity, I will tell him that we can change the shirt. Always with great respect. Let's see what happens within the game. Sometimes you say things around here, but when you're inside you forget a lot of things, so let's see how it happens …

Do you follow Spanish football?

Sure, it's a great league. I would like to go play there. In the last summer market I had an offer from a second division team, but now I think I am ready to play first. I have to continue showing the quality that I have and of course I would like to play there.

His compatriots like James, Yerry Mina or Falcao have passed through here, who has now returned … Yes, great Colombian players have played there.

Now Bacca and Suárez are there, doing great things. It is a great showcase for us Colombians.