The Villarreal manager highlighted his side’s great teamwork and finishing against Sparta Prague
After beating Sparta, Villarreal manager, Marcelino García Toral, emphasised that his team deserved to qualify for the Semis and he is really happy with their teamwork. “I’m proud to be going to a Europa League Semi-final with this club. We’re really pleased and satisfied with the way we got through to the next round, as many times, even though you’re the favourite this sometimes doesn’t show in the result of the match. We are deserved Semi-finalists”.
The manager believes finishing well is what the first leg, played in El Madrigal, lacked. “In this match we were really clinical, completely opposite to the first leg. We went into the game with character and ended up with a convincing victory that means we can now start dreaming about getting to the Final. The team is in a good place, fitness wise, and we just keep improving. What’s more, with Costa and Jonathan back we now have the whole squad available practically”.
The manager couldn’t speak highly enough of the brilliant job done by the entire team. “We can’t forget that only three years ago we were in the Second Division. But we’ve all worked so hard, been top professionals and come together as a group to get where we are now. Only two steps to go now. To play in a final is not something that happens much in life and we have to make the most of it. We are only thinking about getting to the final, but without giving up anything”.
To finish Marcelino also wanted to thank the fans who, with more than 400 in the stands, travelled in the highest numbers so far this season. “We have to thank the fans for their effort to come and cheer us on here in Prague in good numbers. Let’s see if we can get to the Final now. Villarreal has spent many years fighting for a prize like this, the chance to win a title and then to fight to achieve it”.
