Javi Calleja and Gerard Moreno underline Villarreal’s motivation ahead of the match with Zenit
Villarreal manager Javi Calleja underlined to the press that his team will go for it in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 against FC Zenit (Thursday, 6:55pm CET). “We know that LaLiga is our priority, but we have the squad to take on two competitions, and we are going to do just that. We always go onto the pitch looking to win and we have a squad to cope with two competitions. A good result would help us in LaLiga.”
The head coach also highlighted that he will make changes to the team with regards to the last match: “There will be fresh players and rotations. Four or five players will stay in the starting lineup and we will continue doing what we’ve been doing throughout the competition. We are going to put our own personal touch on the game. There are a lot of games in a season and we have to make changes for the good of the team. I’m convinced that everyone will compete well and do things well.”
Regarding the opponents, Calleja warned of the Russians’ potential: “I’m expecting a Zenit side that are fresh both physically and mentally, and they have strengthened well. It’s a team that proposes a lot and they like to dominate play and have the ball. They have very good strikers and players who are good in the air. Zenit is one of the biggest sides in the Russian league. We’re ready and in the right place mentally for that atmosphere. We know they’ve got a loyal fanbase which will fill the stadium, but we’re also motivated.”
Finally, Calleja mentioned Ramón Bueno, who has been called up from the B team do make his debut in a European squad: “Ramón is a player who’s earned the right to be with us. He has been at the club for years and we know what it’s taken to get here. He’s a good player and he’s having a magnificent season and he’s shown me that I can count on him. In the middle of the pitch I’m thinking of having three players who know how to control the ball. We have players like Iborra, Fornals, Cáseres, Morlanes… They’re all capable of having the ball and they’re going to show it.”
Gerard: “The Europa League excites us”
El otro protagonista en rueda de prensa fue Gerard Moreno. El delantero catalán se mostró muy ilusionado con el partido de este jueves: “Es una competición que nos ilusiona a todos y tenemos muchas ganas de competir y conseguir resultado positivo cara al partido de vuelta. Es una responsabilidad porque tenemos que separar las dos competiciones, pero Europa es otra competición, aunque sabemos que tenemos que ser responsables con LaLiga. Ahora pensamos en dar la cara ante el Zenit porque es una eliminatoria ilusionante y prestigiosa para nosotros”.
The other man to take centre stage in front of the press was Gerard Moreno. The Catalan striker underlined his excitement ahead of Thursday’s match: “It’s a competition that excites us all and we’re all really eager to compete and get a positive result ahead of the second leg. It’s a responsibility because we have to separate the two competitions. The Europa League is a different competition, although we know we have to be focused no LaLiga. Now we’re thinking of facing up to Zenit because it’s an exciting and prestigious tie for us.”
For the Yellows No.7, the Russian outfit is a tough team to face: “We’ve looked at our opponents, they have a very experienced defence because they’ve been at the top for years. We know that they have great players in every position, but we’re going to try and hurt them with our strengths. I’m expecting a tough match because Zenit are top of their league and are a potent side, but Villarreal are playing at a top level in European competition.”
