The Yellow Submarine head coach analyses the team’s current situation ahead of the match against Málaga CF (Thursday, 9:30pm CEST)

Villarreal CF head coach Iñigo Pérez spoke to the media on Wednesday ahead of the match against Málaga CF (Thursday, 9:30pm CEST) at La Rosaleda Stadium.

These were the most notable comments from the Yellows head coach:

Current mood

“I’m feeling fully motivated, with the same enthusiasm and excitement as on the first day. The press conference the other day was the result of the fact that I’m someone who believes that when you justify your mistakes and repeatedly avoid self-criticism, it becomes a recurring pattern. So, if I can, I think I must be critical of myself when that is how I feel. We had to go through a sporting ‘mourning process’, but I remain completely confident in my enthusiasm.”

Analysis of the current situation

“We had an exciting pre-season in which we found things along the way that everyone liked, both from me towards the players and from the players towards me. Then, with the start of the league season, we found ourselves in a situation that, obviously, happens for a reason, but one we neither expected nor wanted. We have to face it. There is an obstacle in front of us, so we must take out the hammer and turn it into beach sand. In that sense, we recognise the situation and, collectively, we are full of energy because we know that tomorrow we have another opportunity to celebrate a victory together.”

“I think the current situation is more of a mental issue than a physical or tactical one, although those factors also play a part. Faced with an unforeseen scenario, after seeing phases of play that encouraged optimism, we have lost our balance and lacked the organisation we previously had.”

The analysis of Málaga

“All three teams promoted this year share similar characteristics: strong support, dynamism on the pitch and young players with quality. We know they are teams that attack you, so we must remain calm, stay humble and understand that we will have moments in which we can hurt them.”

The match

“It is a match with clear realities, between two teams in the relegation zone and two teams desperate for a victory. Therefore, we are entering a scenario that is almost 100% mental. The team that, in addition to imposing itself through its football and tactical details, is best able to remain composed and manage the different moments of the match will be very close to achieving victory.”