Miguel Álvarez underlined what staying unbeaten would mean (Saturday, 8:30pm CET)
Villarreal B head coach Miguel Álvarez appeared in front of the media ahead of the Mini Submarine’s upcoming match against UD Las Palmas, corresponding to Matchday 21 of the 2022/23 LaLiga SmartBank season. The match will take place on Saturday 17th December at 6:30pm CET at the MIni Estadi.
The injury situation
“The physical condition of the team is good, although logically there are some players who are a little bit more tired because of the three games in six days that have taken their toll on us. We have some important absentees through injury and some players are with the first team. Even so, we’re in great shape to compete in the game.”
UD Las Palmas
“From my point of view, they are by far the best team in the division. In terms of link-up play, they are one of the best and on top of that they play with players of tremendous quality. Their position says it all, they are a difficult team to face because they have the ability to take care of the moments without the ball, they have only conceded 12 goals. They are team with quality players and a lot of experience.”
Having control
“There is one big important thing and that is that it all depends on us. They are a very good team, but we are a very good team here at home.”
The kind of match to expect
“It will be similar to the Andorra game. They need the ball and they don’t lose it much because they have very good players. That’s why we have to deal with those moments without the ball, because with the ball we’re going to do things for sure.”
Staying unbeaten at home
“It would be a shot of energy to go into the Christmas break with a great feeling. I’d like to leave the Mini undefeated, as I’ve been here for five-and-a-half years. This ground makes me very happy, I’ve seen tremendous football from the boys. When I came here we were in the third division and now we are in the second tier. Many players who have been here are now in professional football. That’s why we want to leave the Mini with a good feeling and start a beautiful story at La Cerámica.”
Academy players making their first-team debuts
“It is a tremendous source of pride for all grassroots coaches. In the case of Carlos Romero, he comes from the C team, from Tercera División. In the first game he made his debut in LaLiga SmartBank he didn’t do very well, we reassured him and told him to keep working, that everything would come. The other day in Cartagena he played a great game and now he has been rewarded with his debut with the first team. These are kids that we have with us every day, to whom we dedicate a lot of hours and who we love with madness. It seems that when they make their debut, we make our debut. It’s a great feeling.”
Key factors for the match
“They have to be bad and we have to be very good. It’s up to us to be good and it’s up to them not to be as well. The lads know that and they’re going to put in a great performance.”
