The head coach has praised Rayo Vallecano and expects a really tough game this weekend (Saturday, 4:15pm CET)
Villarreal CF head coach, Marcelino García Toral, appeared before the media to analyse the current affairs of the Yellow Submarine, who face Rayo Vallecano this Saturday at the Vallecas at 4:15pm CET.
The Yellow Submarine coach underlined the importance of the game against a direct rival like Vallecano: “It’s a very important game for us. If we win, we’ll take a step forward and we’ll distance our main pursuers. We would have a big advantage and we would win the head-to-head record. For all of these reasons, we are preparing the match with great attention, knowing that we have to be focused from start to finish, and with the spirit and conviction of the results and the good game we have been playing.”
In reference to the opposition, Marcelino acknowledged that he expects a difficult match in Vallecas: “It will be complicated and whoever is more accurate in the penalty area will win it. We know that they will demand a constant back and forth from us. It’s a pitch where football is played very direct. We have to be attentive to our opponents’ transitions and be decisive in the penalty area. Rayo is a team that defends well in the box and arrives a lot and well. They have vertical and quick players and the team’s approach is attractive and effective.”
He also pointed out that the recipe is to work hard and face the game with the ambition to get the three points: “Our obligation is to work hard, do our best and go for the win. That’s the idea with which we face the game. Against Valencia, we deserved the three points and now, strengthened by the good play and competitiveness we’ve been showing, we want to win again.”
On the other hand, Marcelino was very happy for the return of Alfonso Pedraza to a squad for the first time this season: “We are very happy for the return of Alfonso. He’s been developing really well for several weeks now and we knew it was only a matter of time before we could count on him.”
