21 May 2009
By Geishy Rondon, Caracas FC Press

Defender Jose Manuel Rey has been celebrating his birthday this week – one he rates as the most important as a player in a season full of emotion, goals and triumphs.

With a career record to be proud of, Rey is about to add to the festivities by playing for both the Venezuelan league championship against Deportivo Italia in a final over two legs along with a quarterfinal appearance against Gremio of Brazil in the Copa Santander Libertadores just a few days later.

“I have been having a good time with friends and colleagues,” he said talking to the team’s press department.

Following training Rey, referring to the upcoming matches, added: “I don’t ask anything of the fans because they are always there cheering us on. There are more of them with each game we play and that fills us with pride.”

“We hope on Saturday in the first leg against Italia that the stadium is full of our fans wearing red and getting behind us.”

As for the Saturday clash against Apertura champions Italia in which Caracas will be home club (both sides share the same UCV Olympic Stadium) Rey continued: “Finals over two legs are always difficult for any team with sides looking for points and not allowing space. Caracas on paper look strong with their recent performances but Italia are a tough nut to crack and have the desire and the hunger to win. However we know how they play and we know their weaknesses and we hope to take advantage of that.”

“It will be a great week now that we’re fighting for the title and after that looking to reach the semi-finals of the Copa Santander Libertadores. We are living the moment, concentrating on what is to come and showing the patience we need to show.”