Javi Calleja underlined that his team needs to keep its identity in the derby to continue on the right line
Maximum focus ahead of a game that is always special. Villarreal manager Javi Calleja underlined this morning that his team will need to stick to their style and keep up the intensity they showed in their recent games to get a win against Valencia CF (Sunday, 5pm CEST). “The determining factor will be in each side’s identity. We need to be ourselves, try and impose our playing and style and we’re interested in a high rhythm. We need to be a balanced team that doesn’t give in, as they have very direct and dangerous players. We need to be vigilant, attack but always be keep focused.”
The Yellows have ten points from a possible 12 after LaLiga’s return. “The point against Sevilla has meant that we didn’t drop a place and it’s still in our hands. Now we need to improve on the draw and beat Valencia. Winning would give us an important, but not decisive, advantage. There would be six game left, 18 up for play and a five-point advantage, which would see us move away from them. But we’ve got a very tough fixture list ahead of us with very difficult games against teams from high up the table, so it won’t be easy,” he underlined.
The Yellows’ return to action has been fruitful. “We thought that adapting to this situation we were going to live in was key, so those who were prepared for it would have an advantage. The players knew how important it was to start well after the break and lockdown. We’ve been able to start well, to get into the fight, and that gives you strength. Knowing we’re competing well and that there’s a great relationship in the dressing room has helped us to depend on ourselves at the moment, and we’re on a good fun. We can’t relax though and think it’s all over,” said Calleja.
With regards to the upcoming opponent, the Villarreal head coach warned about their potential: “I’m expecting a very dangerous Valencia side. I’m expecting that because of their ability to hurt their opponents, because they’re a squad that’s made to fight for the Champions League, and above all because of the situation they find themselves in, they’re hurt. If teams are hurt and go into games of this level, they can be even more dangerous than they usually are. I hope we have control and show our personality. They will try and capitalise on our errors and defensive lapses, so we need to be structured and balanced in defense. We want to dominate by having the ball and try and make them more disorganised through this domination, knowing they’re a team that is well organised and strong in defence.”
To conclude, Calleja regretted that the team can’t have their fans with them in such a special game: “Without our fans and playing at home, it’s like a decaf derby. It’s obviously not the same, as the excitement about these games come from the public. Seeing how they fill the stadiums, how they cheer us on and off the pitch. This time it can’t be. It will be decaffeinated because of that but we know it’s crucial and that we need to mentally prepare to have the motivation that the fans would give us.”
See the press conference by clicking play.
