Arango talks up free kicks

Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Juan Arango says he is just as good at taking free kicks as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Since his arrival in Germany from La Liga side Mallorca in 2009, the 32-year old has scored six goals from dead-ball situations for the club, a record he believes justifies his lofty claims.

“When it comes to my free kicks, I’m just as good as Ronaldo and Messi, I have often shown this,” he told Bild.

“They are sharp and well-placed, I go for the heavy hit. The speed I can generate matches Ronaldo and the accuracy is as good as Messi’s, I do not have to hide behind them, I am just as good.”

Arango’s coach Lucien Favre was quick to agree with Venezuelan midfielder and praised his technique when it comes to striking a ball.

“He has as much feeling in his foot as he does in his hand, it is incredible,” he said.

Arango has played in 102 games for the Bundesliga outfit, scoring 15 times.