Anthony Gardner had a brief first taste of European football last season - and can't wait for more.
Anthony Gardner had a brief first taste of European football last season - and can't wait for more.The defender stepped onto the UEFA Cup stage for the first time in our last 16 away leg against SC Braga, an entertaining 3-2 first leg victory in the Portuguese side’s unique Estadio Municipal de Braga, the stadium cut into a rock face.
Anthony played the full 90 minutes in that first leg but then fractured his fibula in the FA Cup draw at Chelsea three days later, ruling him out of the return leg at the Lane – another 3-2 win, with Pascal Chimbonda drafted in as emergency centre-back as we were without Anthony, Ledley King and ineligible Ricardo Rocha – and out of action until the last week of the season.
“It was a great experience and I'd love more of it,” said Anthony, who was an unused substitute earlier in the campaign against Besiktas and Club Brugge.
“The style of the game is totally different to the Premiership - you get a lot of time on the ball, it’s all about pass and move, I was surprised how different it was.
“In terms of defending it's more concentration based and teams are very explosive around the box, it tends to be a slower build up and then things happen in the danger areas.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it and hopefully I’ll get more games in Europe next season.”
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