Wilfried Zaha scored his first every Champions League goal against Manchester United on Tuesday night.
The Galatasaray winger grabbed the headlines prior to his side’s clash against United because he was returning to his former club where things didn’t go to plan for him.
To his credit, Zaha didn’t let that knock him and he returned to Crystal Palace where he became renowned as one of the most threatening players in the Premier League. Now he’s moved to Turkish champions Galatasaray in a bid to compete in Europe’s biggest competition.
Zaha’s unsuccessful spell with United came between 2013-15, but he was happy to score Galatasaray’s first goal in their 3-2 win over the Reds on Tuesday night.
“Dream come true really,” Zaha told TNT Sports after the match. “Happy to be playing in this competition and scoring goals as well. Great night for me.
“It literally is [everything I dreamed of]. It’s not even just the game. The build-up, when we’re driving here on the coach we were playing the Champions League music, the stars on the balls, I’ve finally made it to here.
“There’s nothing like it. It’s literally playing between the best and a chance to showcase my talent between the best. I feel like that’s where it’s decided whether you’re good or not. Days like today are what it’s all about.”
"We were playing the Champions League music on the coach!" 🎶
Wilfried Zaha explains why there's nothing else like playing in the Champions League ❤️#UCL pic.twitter.com/KymZT5i6Yo
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 3, 2023
I have always liked Zaha and feel he was unlucky at United. It never seemed like David Moyes wanted him at the club and that must have been difficult for a young player, who had just been brought to the club by Sir Alex Ferguson.
It’s just a shame Zaha has been able to come back and bite us in the near end. Even if his goal was gifted to him by soft defending on Diogo Dalot’s part.
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