“Beating Athletic would help our objectives”
“Beating Athletic would help our objectives”

Quique Setién has predicted a very tough and intense match against the visitors (Saturday, 6:30pm CEST)

Villarreal head coach Quique Setién appeared before the media this afternoon to analyse the current situation of the Submarine, who face Athletic Club this Saturday at 6.30pm CEST at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

He predicted a very tough and competitive game against the Lions: “It will be a difficult game against a team that runs a lot and has a high level of intensity. They play good football and have players who can create a lot of threats. As well as a committed and hard-fought game, I expect it to be a balanced duel. They are fighting to reach, like us, the European places.”

As for the keys to teh game, Setién emphasised the need to have the ball and be accurate with it: “We’re in a good moment. It depends on our ability to have the ball and take advantage of the good moment. We have players in good shape and with a lot of inspiration. They have players who are dangerous up front and with a lot of quality in midfield. We have to find a way to hurt them.”

With five games to go, it’s inevitable to look at the league table and think about the team’s objectives: “Taking the three points would mean taking another step forward in our aspirations to be up there. There would only be 12 points left to play for and we would be dealing a blow to a direct rival. In any case, the reality is that the first thing we have to think about is doing things right, maintaining the level we’re playing at, getting our goalkeeping right and being a bit more consistent at the back so that our opponents generate less for us.”

Setién also recalled the game against Bilbao in the first half of the season, which was his first match as Villarreal’s head coach. Setién believes that there will be many differences compared to that match: “There is a lot of difference from that game to this one. At the time, I liked the first 30 minutes, but then a lot of circumstances influenced us to go down in the second half. The team is clearer now and the players feel more comfortable. There is a high level of conviction in the things that are being done. There has been an evolution and a significant change. There have been moments with difficulties, but the progression of the team has been positive. I’m happy with the performance and the conviction of the players.”

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