Solano relishing Bosnian test

By Matthew Jones
August 13 2002

Nolberto Solano admits he will be playing to realise one of his biggest dreams in football when Newcastle face Zeljeznicar on Wednesday.

Nolberto Solano admits he will be playing to realise one of his biggest dreams in football when Newcastle face Zeljeznicar on Wednesday.

The Peruvian winger insists competing against Europe's top clubs in the group stage of the Champions League is his only opportunity to test himself against the world's top players.

"For me, this match against Zeljeznicar is as important as a World Cup qualifier," said Solano. "Now that I don't play for Peru, the Champions League is my one chance to play against the best in the world.

"I had to sit through the World Cup and wonder what it must be like to play on that stage. Now I am only two games away from the most important club competition there is and it means more than words can say.

"The Champions League is the World Cup of club football and ever since I signed for Newcastle it has been my dream to represent United at that level.

"I have talked about it for the last four years and now it's nearly here."