Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral expects an intense match against RC Celta at the Estadio de la Cerámica (Sunday, 9pm CEST)
Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral has expressed his excitement ahead of this Sunday’s match against RC Celta at the Estadio de la Cerámica (9pm CEST). However, the Asturian coach also warned of the Vigo side’s quality.
Back at home
“We are playing at home again, a month later, and we are doing so with a lot of excitement. We are up against a very tough opponent and hopefully we can secure a win.”
Analysing Celta
“Celta are a team who are doing things very well, who play very good football and who have won seven away matches, with only three defeats. I think they are the best third‑placed away side in the competition so far, behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. They are a very difficult team. They come into this after losing 1-0 in Barcelona but, at times, they were clearly superior to Barça. They are going to make things very difficult for us. They are a team that defend with a lot of commitment and solidarity, sometimes even with man-marking. And with the ball they are fluid, vertical and have very good movement, with quick ball circulation. It is going to be a very tough match.”
Aiming for peak performance
“The important thing is that we reach our maximum level. Here at home we are a solid team, quick, dynamic, who play very good football on a consistent basis, and the results also show that. We will try to get the very best out of ourselves. But the opponent will demand a lot from us. They will force us to defend, to attack with judgment, to counterattack whenever we can, which is also one of our weapons. When we do not have the ball, we have to be intense and hard-working. Celta are a team who move the ball well, try to draw you out in order to circulate quickly and look for space behind the defence.”
Very close to Champions League qualification
“By winning, practically yes, although I would not fully consider it decided. It would be a huge achievement to win and, with five matchdays remaining, virtually secure Champions League qualification. First we have to win, and we are playing against a great opponent. It would be historic. It would be the second time in Villarreal’s history that we qualify for the Champions League in consecutive seasons.”
