The Villarreal head coach appeared in front of the media after the game against RCD Mallorca at the Visit Mallorca Estadi, and spoke about a number of topics, including the match and the team’s form
The tie
“We took control of the game, and we forced them to defend with a low block. We conceded very few counterattacks, and we created three or four chances. We need to find more of a cutting edge, and continue working out how to make the match fall in our favour. By not doing that, we sometimes rushed things and they started to gain confidence. In the second half, we were more coherent, and they saw possibilities for counter attacks. The plan was the same throughout, and we followed it until the end. We need to focus on the next game.”
The opposition
“They’re a team that are well structured on a sporting level. They’re very competitive, with intelligent veteran players who know how to dig in and read certain moments of the game. All of that is being created by the club and the coach. They put a lot of value on being in the top flight and they’re committed. From there, we should have tried to do enough to make a difference against them.”
Heat and Gerard missing out
“There were surely other places with lower temperatures to play at this time, although both teams are used to training in hot conditions. At the end of the game, a number of players were tired, but they are things that are out of our control. We need to be capable of finding answers when players are missing. Each player has their own characteristics and brings something different to the team. We need to be clinical with the chances we have.”
Consecutive draws
“All of the teams work hard. We’ve lost big names in LaLiga, but there is still a high level and it’s hard to beat anyone. Football is like that and we need to improve. The first analysis that I have is that we need to improve certain things and I am going to be self-critical. We need to look for something else that, at the moment, isn’t there.”
