The Yellow Submarine head coach praised his team’s competitiveness against a clinical FC Barcelona that punished their mistakes

Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral analysed his side’s 4-1 defeat to FC Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou, in matchday 26 of LALIGA EA Sports.

“I feel the result is excessive. The game was balanced until 3-1. That moment hurt us a lot and it was a huge mistake on our part. It was a situation we should have defended well. That is when the game slipped away. Before that, we had the chance to make it 2-2 with an open goal,” Marcelino said after the competitive clash at the Blaugrana stadium.

On the result, the Asturian coach explained that Barcelona’s clinical finishing, particularly from Lamine Yamal, decided the match: “They were able to convert their chances. We started very well and created opportunities, but the first goal came from a loss of possession, the second was a moment of brilliance from Lamine, and the third, as I said before, was a mistake we should have avoided. We have to learn from it.”

Despite the defeat, Marcelino praised his players’ competitiveness against the league leaders: “I am happy with the team’s competitive level, with how we competed against a great Barcelona, but I do believe the result is excessive compared to what we showed on the pitch. We knew this FC Barcelona had won every game here and scored many goals. It was going to be tough, we played well, but we must improve and avoid mistakes against the top teams.”