Nunez: My Goal Was to Become a Champion, That's Why I Left Norwich for Ipswich

Marcelino Nunez is preparing for a heated reception at Carrow Road on Saturday, but the Ipswich player remains unfazed. Having made the switch from Norwich to Ipswich in August, Nunez has been instrumental in helping his new team beat their rivals for the first time in 16 years. "It was a big challenge, but we managed to turn it around and end the run," he says. "I was motivated to end that run. Thank God we managed to do it. A derby has to be won and it has to be celebrated." Nunez's celebrations after the win were spontaneous, waving a corner flag in front of jubilant Ipswich fans. "It was natural, it just came to me spontaneously," he explains. "In South America, when you win a big derby, you celebrate a lot and that South American side of me came out a bit." The Chile international feels he is well-equipped to cope with the hostility that awaits him at Carrow Road. "In South America, the derbies are more intense, with more pressure," he says. "And I think that works in my favour because I've played under pressure." Nunez is motivated to face the game on Saturday, despite the extra heat on him due to his transfer. "When you step on the pitch, you forget all your problems and everything that's happening outside," he says. "You have to focus on the game, carry out your task well, and always be positive." Ipswich are a point behind Millwall in third place, with three games in hand, and Nunez believes they have a good chance of taking another step closer to the Premier League. "Our mentality, and my mentality, is to take three points and win," he says. Nunez's move to Ipswich was driven by his ambition to fight for the championship. "I was very clear about my goal, which was to fight for the championship, so that's why I made the decision to move to Ipswich," he explains. "The fans welcomed me incredibly well, even though I came from a rival, and overall I'm very happy with the team and with the manager." He credits Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna for his impact on the team. "He is one of the best coaches I've had in my career up until now," Nunez says. "He organises the training sessions incredibly well, he's very intelligent, he knows how to keep the dressing room united, and he gives the players lots of confidence." Nunez is relaxed about Ipswich's promotion prospects, with Norwich the first of their seven remaining Championship games. Reaching the Premier League, he says, would allow him to realise a childhood dream. "I always dreamt about it, but I never imagined going to England would happen so quickly and being a step away from the Premier League," he says. "It's something incredible that's happening, and it's close, so we just have to focus on each match." Nunez believes Ipswich have a solid group and a good coach, and he is confident they will reach the Premier League. "What I see in the team is that it's a very solid group," he says. "There are very good team-mates, and the coach is one of the best I've had in my career. With the team we have, I think we will reach the Premier League. I want to experience that feeling." The game against Norwich on Saturday will be a crucial test for Ipswich, but Nunez is ready for the challenge. "Now it's Norwich, and there's extra pressure, but we're motivated, and I'm motivated to take it step by step to achieve that, to play in the Premier League," he says.