Marcelino regrets loss against Real Madrid, but is already looking forward with optimism
Villarreal CF manager, Marcelino García Toral, wasn’t happy about his team’s defeat to Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu (3-0) stadium, but he was optimistic about the four games left to play in the league. The Submarine are still six points clear of Athletic and Celta.
“The matches are coming and going and we’re six points above those chasing us, who actually play against each other soon. It depends on us now and we have to take it step by step. On Sunday we play a final against Real Sociedad, as if we win our two remaining home matches I think we can do it. We’ll be playing at our ground and we need the fans. The players are coming off a thrashing and will need that lift from the supporters” he commented.
Marcelino doesn’t believe the result reflected the match: “We played really well defensively with a lot of balance. Madrid dominated but at first we could deal with them and didn’t suffer. We lack depth and clarity in what we’re doing in away games though. We have to get to goal more. Their first goal was lucky because the rebound fell to Benzema. In the second half we didn’t play badly and played at a higher tempo. Their second was already a blow and their third was decisive. I think the first goal was key. Madrid didn’t cause us much danger and so that’s definitely a positive to take away”.
The manager faced tough decisions before the match with six players out due to injury, although he hopes to count on more players for Sunday’s game against Real Sociedad at El Madrigal (8:30pm CET): “We hope not to have any more injuries and to recover as quick as possible from those we do have. We had six injuries against Madrid and if these players can return soon it will help us immensely in securing fourth place”.
