Deyna Castellanos reflects on 'special' debut goal for Man City
By Ali Rampling
Deyna Castellanos has reflected on netting a 'special' goal on her Manchester City debut, after coming off the bench and getting on the scoresheet during her side's 6-0 Champions League victory over Tomiris-Turan on Thursday evening.
Castellanos is one of six new arrivals at City this summer, having joined the club from Atletico Madrid in June.
The 23-year-old opened her City account from the penalty spot on the stroke of full time against Tomiris-Turan after winning initial the spot kick when she was brought down in the area.
"It felt great," Castellanos told Manchester City's official club website. "Obviously winning for us was the most important part. For me to score on my first start for Manchester City is very, very special and I slept very happy last night!
"I had a couple of opportunities to score before the penalty. I was a little bit nervous... It was a relief to score and to be here with all my family and my friends watching me, so it was really special.
"I was actually just waiting for someone else to take it (the penalty), with obviously respecting older players being in the team but then they just told me to take it and I was like: 'okay!'"
City will face Real Madrid - the side that knocked them out of last season's competition - in the next round of the Champions League on Sunday as they continue their bid to qualify for the group stages.
Real are a side Castellanos knows well, having spent two years with the club's rivals Atletico prior to moving to City.
"Playing against Real Madrid is always exciting," she added. "They're a very good team. I think Real Madrid with their new signings they are a little bit bigger and stronger. I feel like they are in a good moment in pre-season, but let's hope that results go in our favour."