Marcelino calls for a winning mentality and respect for the opposition to get through the tie (Sunday, 6pm CET)
Villarreal head coach, Marcelino García Toral, appeared at a press conference ahead of the Copa del Rey round of 32 clash against Unionistas de Salamanca (Sunday, 6pm CET). The coach was excited to be able to advance to the next round and keep the team alive in all three competitions.
Here is what he had to say:
How the team is doing
“There are players who are leaving. It happens in every market. What worries me most is the players we have at our disposal. There are some who are recovering. Sorloth trained with the group today and it is possible that tomorrow he will train at a completely normal level. Raúl is out, Alfonso has not recovered and Coquelin is making progress. Compared to the match against Valencia, we have Baena and Comesaña back.”
Letter to the Three Kings
“The Three Kings are an excitement. Even for the older players. What we need is to have hope to change this dynamic and health, that we have fewer injuries and that they bring us more victories than we have had so far. Our intention is to be in the next round.”
Winning every game
“A team like Villarreal has to aspire to win every game regardless of the competition. That’s the mentality we have to have: every game as if it were the last. If we are able to maintain consistency, it will change our performance. The way to change it is to have a winning mentality and ambition. This match implies maximum respect for our opponents. The fact that they play two levels below us doesn’t mean we’re going to win. It’s 11 against 11 and they’re solid at their ground. We have to show that favouritism.”
No easy opponent
“There are no easy games and there are weather conditions that can have an impact, especially on the pitch. They have just beaten Barça B and eliminated Sporting, a team in a higher division. You can never consider that you are going to win a game before you play it. You have to show respect and professionalism.”
Continuous improvement
“Since we arrived, analysing the situation, we are less vulnerable at set pieces. The chances that Valencia had don’t fit the result. When you have a negative dynamic, the opponent penalises you with the minimum, so it’s time to show.”
Bailly
“We have an advantage, adaptation. Eric knows the league, the language, the team, the city, some of his team-mates and the coaching staff. Little by little, he will find his ideal moment of form. He’s coming from very little competition and we have to make it compatible. If we can get him to the top of his game, he’ll be fine.”
Akhomach
“He has surprised us. His competitive and training level is good. We have to help him to grow, he has only played very few games in the first division and he will have ups and downs. We have to be patient and help him in his progression.”
Unionistas
“Yes, there will be some academy players in the squad. It will be a competitive, ugly game, with a lot of direct play. The opposition will try to take advantage of their strategic play, where they are very powerful, and counter-attacking. We have to respond to that.”
