The head coach has highlighted the team’s attitude and ambition in a difficult match
Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral spoke to the media in the press room after the Yellow Submarine’s 2-1 victory over RCD Mallorca at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Marcelino explained that the visitors set up “with practically six defenders and very strict man-marking,” a game plan that made it difficult to move the ball and find spaces. Even so, he stressed that his team managed to take control in several phases of the first half: “we had a few clear chances to score.”
Regarding the three points, he added: “It’s only three points, but it feels like more. We scored early, they equalised immediately, and it wasn’t an easy game.”
The Yellows’ head coach also praised his team’s work in what is now a historic start to the season: “29 points — step by step, with humility. I want to congratulate and thank the players, who give everything regardless of the minutes they play. LALIGA doesn’t end today; we have to keep winning.”
He also broke down the offensive approach in the final stretch: “We wanted to win, to get players into the opposition half. We brought on fresh legs to try to break down such a crowded defence. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but we went for the win. It wasn’t a big risk because they weren’t creating much.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s match, Marcelino insisted the team is ready and ambitious: “The Champions League is there. We’re halfway through the group stage and we want to win. We’re going to a great stadium to face a great team, but with ambition and the desire to compete. We’ve played three Champions League games at a very high level, and I’m absolutely convinced we’ll show our best version.”
The coach concluded his press conference by reaffirming his trust in the squad: “What happens in the boxes will determine who wins, but what is beyond any doubt is that I trust this squad completely.”
