When football doesn’t matter: Vicente Moreno leaves the bucket and shovel to remove mud to go to the Bernabéu without motivation | LaLiga EA Sports 2024

He returns to the coach’s bench who put on his rubber boots and took a shovel to remove the mud from his family’s house in Massanassa, the town where he was born 50 years ago. Football has become something secondary for Vicente Moreno. The disaster caused by DANA has altered the priorities of a coach who has become a symbol of solidarity and courage. «It is very hard not to be able to be there for those of us who have children, family and friends affected by this situation. But we are hard-working and hard-working people and, although it may seem difficult, we will get out of this,” he exclaimed last day 1, shortly before informing Osasuna that he was moving to ground zero of destruction and horror.

Faced with his emotional and distressing appeal, Osasuna not only gave him permission to go to Valencia, but also gave him a van full of material that the coach himself drove to Massanassa. The stress did not subside until he arrived home and was able to hug his two children. and help their neighbors clear mud, remove vehicles and rebuild their homes. There, for a week he has been working alongside hundreds of volunteers. He has also listened to and consoled victims hit by an infernal flood. Shortly after arriving in the Valencian Community, his mind forgot about the ball and focused on helping those most in need. However, he has maintained practically daily contact with his staff at the Navarrese team.

Dani Pendinthe team’s second coach, stressed before the start of Osasuna-Valladolid last Saturday that Moreno has gone through an extreme situation: «Vicente is suffering a lot for his family, for his friends and for what is happening there. He wants to be there and help. He’s doing what he can. “I know him well and he is suffering a lot, you can see it in his face.”

“a shot of joy and motivation”

Pendín took the reins of the team in the Copa del Rey match played this week. In recent days he had been very attentive to his boss, but without overwhelming you with technical issues. «He knows everything we are doing. Now the important thing is that you focus on helping your people,” he said before facing Chiclana.

Vicente Moreno, who yesterday was in charge of Osasuna’s training session held behind closed doors at the Tajonar facilities, returns today with his team in the match against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. The coach has already informed his players that at the end of the match he will return to his hometown to continue working with the bucket, brush and shovel to remove the unbearable mud.

Yesterday he decided not to attend the pre-match press conference. His position was occupied by Pendín, who took advantage of the occasion to emphasize that Moreno’s presence in training was a recharge mood for the group: «The joy we have is evident. We are happy because Vicente is better. It’s satisfying that he came because he is the leader of the team. “This is a shot of joy and motivation.”

Football has taken second place for a coach who is having a remarkable season with Osasuna, which occupies fifth place in the league standings. They have 21 points, only three less than Real Madrid. Moreno arrived at the Pamplona club last spring after the departure of Jagoba Arrasatean emblem in the club. His CV includes stints with Xerez, Nástic, Mallorca, Almería and Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia.

“Come back whenever you want”

The Valencian has had the absolute support of Osasuna in this last turbulent week. “Come back whenever you want,” the club board told him. His work with the victims of the DANA has awakened solidarity among the followers of the Navarrese team. Thus, Osasuna, immediately after becoming aware of the magnitude of the disaster, contacted the Massanassa City Council to make itself available and collaborate in the reconstruction of the most damaged municipal infrastructures. The club assured that it will have the collaboration of Kosner, its main sponsor, and Saltoki, exclusive distributor of the brand, specialized in plumbing, electrical and construction materials and which has several centers in the Valencian Community. It has also added the support of other sponsors, collaborating companies, players and employees. One and a half tons of food has already been sent.

Osasuna has in its squad a large group of players from the Valencian Community, such as Ruben Garcia, Nacho Vidal, Lucas Torró y Moi Gomez; and others with a great connection such as Aitor Fernández, Juan Cruz o Ruben Pena for having played on teams from that Community. The sports director of the entity, Braulio Vazquezhas a large part of his family in Valencia and has also gone to the flooded area to help the victims.

The club has opened a bank account in La Caixa through the Osasuna Foundation so that all members and fans of the entity can collaborate in helping. In that account, which will remain open in the coming weeks, more than 250.00 euros have already been raised. Everything is little, Moreno knows that well, for whom football has now become something secondary.