Marcelino predicts an exciting clash against one of the best teams in the league (Sunday, 6:30pm CEST)

Villarreal head coach, Marcelino García Toral, has appeared before the media to analyse the match against Athletic Club, corresponding to Matchday 31 of the 2023/24 LALIGA EA SPORTS season, which will take place at San Mamés this Sunday at 6:30pm CEST.

Expecting to face Athletic at their best

“I want to congratulate Athletic for winning the Copa del Rey. I was lucky enough to be there and I know what it means to them. My most sincere congratulations. From here on, I know what they are like. I know that on Sunday they will run as they always do. And even more so after the emotion that comes over them for having achieved something they have been chasing for a long time.”

Excitement and entertainment

“I expect excitement. It will be nice to be there with them. Once the guard of honour is over, we want to win and we will do our best to achieve it. We know that Athletic are very difficult opponents at home, but we will be aiming to win. We are coming off the back of a very good run of form. We’ve done it on big stages and we want to do it again here. It will be a great show. We’re in good form and they’re having a fantastic season in the league, topped off by the cup win. It has everything to make it a great game.”

Nico Williams and many more dangers

“He is a player with extraordinary qualities and a winning mentality. He is a decisive player. We will try to stop him, but it won’t be easy. He is unbalanced in space and with the ball at his feet. The help and marking will be important to stop him. But we can’t neglect the rest: Iñaki, Guruzeta or Sancet… We have to defend well and attack well because this is a team that concedes few goals and gets good results.”