The Basque head coach expects an attractive game between two sides who want to be in the European fight (Saturday, 6:30pm CEST)
Villarreal CF head coach Unai Emery appeared in front of the media this lunchtime to analyse the upcoming match against Valencia CF at Mestalla this Saturday (6:30pm CEST).
A derby is always special
“The match against Valencia CF is a derby. We’ve been two rivals competing for similar objectives for a number of years, including this one. We have a lot of respect for them. Valencia are a big club. They have a successful manager, who gives his personal touch to a team that make it very different for their opponents.”
Being efficient at Mestalla
“Valencia are a direct opponent and they will try and beat us at Mestalla. They will have the support of their fans and they will try and suffocate us. Respecting our opposition, we have been working with the idea of knowing that it will be a tough game mentally, that will need us to show a lot of character. We want to be in control of what we offer and be efficient in every aspect of the game.”
A difficult Valencia side to face
“We will come up against Valencia at their best, with their fans behind their team. We go into the game depending on the collective level of them, and what that demands from each player. We want to show personality to tkae control of the game.”
Two styles, one objective
“i’m expecting a very attractive game. They’re two different playing styles, but both have the same aim, which is winning. We’re expecting to face a good Valencia side and we want to respond to them by being at our best.”
The challenge of winning at Mestalla
“The two teams will try and get the three points because of the objectives they both have. Tomorrow, what both teams need won’t be obvious, but you will see how both sides want to win because it is a derby. For us, winning at a stadium like Mestalla and performing well there is an exciting challenge.”
Impressing in a prestigious stadium
“Valencia are the favourites because of their history and because they’re at home. We want to deactivate their weapons and be capable of showing what we can do. I see the team keen on getting out there, and ambitious to improve. We know that by being at our best, we can compete with them and be a great Villarreal side at Mestalla.”
Being self-critical to continue growing
“We want to find our confidence again, play well and win. We are doing a lot of things well, but we need to be self-critical and improve whatever is holding us back.”
