The Venezuelan was introduced from the bench in City’s 6-0 UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying win over WFC Tomiris-Turan, grabbing our fifth on the night after being brought down inside the area.
She made no mistake from the spot, sending opposing goalkeeper Aytaj Sharifova the wrong way to open her account for her new Club after a summer switch from Atletico Madrid.
But while the 23-year-old was happy to take on penalty duties, Castellanos has revealed that her City teammates were the ones who handed her the responsibility.
“I was actually waiting for someone else to take it,” she admitted.
“I was okay with that [letting someone else take it], respecting the other players in the team, but they told me to take it and I was like: ‘okay, I’ll do it!’
“I had a couple of opportunities to score before the penalty. I was a little bit nervous because I felt like now, I was in the situation where to score goals is difficult.
“It was a relief to score and to be here with all my family and friends watching me, it was really special.
“Winning for us was obviously the most important part [but] for me to score in my first game with Manchester City is very special. I slept very happy last night!”
City’s reward for victory over Tomiris-Turan is a Round One final in the competition’s league path against Real Madrid at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
Victory in Sunday’s 20:00 (UK) kick-off would see Taylor’s side progress to the final round of qualifying, with a two-legged play-off the final hurdle as we aim to reach the Champions League group stages.
The two sides met in Round Two of last season’s competition with the Spaniards coming out on top, but Castellanos insists City won’t be distracted by any previous encounters.
A former Atletico Madrid forward, the Venezuelan also admitted that a showdown with Las Blancas carries an extra weight of significance on a personal level.
“Playing against Real Madrid is always exciting. They’re a very good team,” she said.
“Of course, for the rivalry I had before with Atletico Madrid it makes it more special, but right now the next game that we play is the most important one for us.
“We want to win that game obviously, we’re just taking care of ourselves and getting ready as well as we can.
“With their new signings they’re a little bit stronger. I feel like right now they’re in a good moment, but let’s hope the result goes in our favour.”
City v Real Madrid: Live coverage
Gareth Taylor‘s side face the Spanish outfit in the Round One final in a 20:00 (UK) kick-off on Sunday 21 August.
The winner will progress to Round Two of the competition’s League Path, leaving them two games away from qualifying for the Group Stage.
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