Miguel Ángel Angulo, a club legend and current coach of the VCF Juvenil A team, spoke to VCF Media on Friday ahead of a double anniversary. This weekend marks the anniversary of two consecutive Champions League finals reached by the club: 19 and 20 years ago, respectively.

“As the years go by, one values what we did in two consecutive seasons even more. We got to two Champions League finals. We're seeing know how difficult it is nowadays if you're not Barça, Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid,” Angulo told the club’s official radio station.

“It's not only difficult to reach finals and semifinals, but also to get out of the group stage. It's tremendously difficult. In our time there were great teams with great squads and big budgets. We got through as newcomers, with some of that excitement and pride that the entire team transmitted. We were able to enjoy two finals, even though they leave a bittersweet taste in our mouths.”

 “Also, the format was more difficult before because of the double group stage. All of the teams were high level. I remember Bayern, Lazio and Barça who had a long history in Europe, and we had practically not played any major games in Europe. In the end, I think the team showed great solidity and ambition and we were able to reach the finals in Paris and Milan.”

Recalling finals, Angulo said that “I remember that when we reached the final in Paris and we wondered when we were going to be presented with another opportunity like that? Then, the following year, we had a great season we got back into the final. We faced that one in a different way, with more maturity. But we were facing a mighty Bayern Munich who had been unstoppable in Europe. Although we had a great game, it went to penalties, which rely on a little bit of luck for success.”

“I think that both games had good and bad moments. I have a pleasant memory of Paris, because we’d had a good knockout stage and I’d played well against Lazio and Barcelona. But Real Madrid were more mature and knew how to play in the final, which we were lacking.”

“Before the final in Milan I also played, above all in the group stage. All of those magical nights, in which we saw Mestalla shaking and the faces of all of the Valencianistas, is something that will never be forgotten.”

The Champions League was one of the only trophies Angulo failed to win in his illustrious playing career,  but he has no regrets.

“I was lucky enough to be part of a glorious time for the club. I feel very fortunate to have been here in what I think were the best years for Valencia CF. I've managed to win trophies of all kinds domestically and in Europe, but we were just missing the Champions League. It was what we were looking at as the final piece. It's maybe what a professional player longs for when they play for a club: To participate in the Champions League final and win it.”