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

Marcelino Nunez is preparing for a hostile reception when he returns to his former club, Carrow Road, with his new team Ipswich on Saturday. Nunez became the first player to move from Norwich to Ipswich since 2001 when he completed his £10m switch in August. Just weeks later, he helped Ipswich beat their rivals for the first time in 16 years with a 3-1 win, having previously scored the goal that settled the East Anglian derby in Norwich's favour. 'It was an important challenge because Ipswich hadn't beaten Norwich in so long, and I had helped to extend that run,' he tells Sky Sports. 'It was a big task, but we managed to turn it around and end the run, and I was really happy about it.' Nunez's celebrations that day at Portman Road, where he waved a corner flag in front of jubilant Ipswich fans after coming off the bench to set up the third goal against his old club, were a natural release of emotion. 'It just came to me spontaneously,' he says. '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, the clásicos, are more intense, with more pressure,' he explains. 'And I think that works in my favour because I've played under pressure.' Nunez is motivated to face the game on Saturday and is focused on helping Ipswich take another step closer to the Premier League. 'Our mentality, and my mentality, is to take three points and win,' he says. The move to Ipswich was driven by Nunez's ambition to become a champion. '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 says. Nunez has played his part this season, bringing creativity, set-piece prowess, goal threat, and energy to the No 10 role. His importance can be seen in Ipswich's record with and without him. 'I am just a small piece of the puzzle,' he says. 'I think we are all important in the team, those who play and even those who are injured.' Nunez credits Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna for his impact. 'He is one of the best coaches I've had in my career up until now,' he 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.' Reaching the Premier League would allow Nunez 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.'