In case it was not entirely clear during the conversation, Ben
Parhan insist on a key concept just before ending the call. “Let there be no doubt. I was born in Alkmaar, but I go with the Real to death. One hundred percent, ”he says with a laugh. Although the truth is that the clarification was not necessary.
Txuri urdin to the core for 17 years and a member of the Pain
Maite, Ben you will see how your great passion and roots intersect this afternoon on the grass of Anoeta. La Real is playing against AZ of his native Alkmaar. “I am from a town near Amsterdam, but the hospital was in Alkmaar, so technically I was born there. I don't have much connection with the city, but I do have a certain affection for AZ. As a child I also went once with a friend to the old stadium, the Alkmaarderhout”.
A circumstantial bond that invites Ben to follow with appreciation the evolutions of the team of Arne
Slot. “From time to time I have seen them play because I am a follower of Ajax, although I am also a father so watching entire games is not easy for me. It is a very Dutch team, they play very happy, with quick combinations and a lot of effectiveness in attack. Last year, when the League stopped, they were tied on points with the Ajax and I have to be honest, I think they would have been champions had they finished because they were in better shape ”.
It warns that “they know how to compete. It is something that was thrown in their face, that they were up but they were not capable of winning the Top-3 (Ajax, PSV Y Feyenoord). But that trend has changed. In fact, in Holland there is already talk of Top-4 ”.
Unbeatable premiere
His heart, yes, has two colors: blue and white. “I was a member of the Ajax. In 2003, when I came to Donostia, I unsubscribed and, automatically, registered in the Real ”. It was released in style. “My first game in Anoeta It was 4-2 against Madrid of the Galacticos ”, he smiles. “That infatuation lasts until today and will last forever.”
He perceives certain similarities between this team and that Real of the runner-up, his first Real. That aroma that something big is cooking. And he does not hesitate to point out the main architect. “It is a joy to have a coach who has Real in his blood. Imanol expresses all the passion that one wants from his coach ”.
On the field, Ben has a hard time choosing the player who transmits the most to him. “If I have to keep one, I would say Oyarzabal. A kid with that age and that leadership, who even after winning a game is able to go out and say that this or that must be improved, with his head in place … It's nice. But there are many players. We have a great team. “
Happy times photos
Ben, like thousands of realists, bites his nails thinking that he will not be able to push the team from the stands on an afternoon like this, with the flavor of the end. “It's time to see him at home, it's a shame. On Tuesday, by chance, I was looking at some photos from last year, in the harrow
Zabaleta, with the whole stadium full … It's a shame, I miss it a lot “.
La Real will miss the breath of its people. “It is a vital game, winning we will surely go to their field in a triple draw and we will put pressure on them. I think that Real is a better team but we must not underestimate the AZ. If we are serious behind, we will have good chances because their weak point is defense. That said, there is no doubt who he is with this afternoon.