Masoud Shojaei lauds Osasuna fans

TEHRAN TIMES – PAMPLONA, Osasuna midfielder Masoud Shojaei has paid tribute to his fans who welcomed him back in the team after a 539-day absence.
 
Shojaei was injured on April 3, 2011 while playing against Atletico Madrid. Since then he could not play for the Spanish football team, which is based in Pamplona.
 
He came out as a substitute in the 84th minute against Real Betis on Sunday.
 
“I felt very good for their support. I did not expect that. I was amazed and want to thank the fans. I felt very good,” the 28-year-old said in a news conference held at the Reyno de Navarra on Sunday.
 
Osasuna will play Atletico Madrid weekend in Vicente Calderon. Shojaei said, “We are training well, but things are not going quite right. We have to take the points from now and we can not lose any points at home. If you win at home, you play easier and with more confident in your away games.”
 
“Atletico Madrid is a very strong team. Falcao has scored in 10 straight games and Juanfran and Raul Garcia are very good players, but we are not bad as well. We have to change our mentality and think about winning,” he stated.