The Villarreal head coach has praised the team’s defensive level after the win against Las Palmas
Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral said that his team did not have a great performance against UD Las Palmas, but he stressed the defensive commitment of his team to get three very important points (1-2).
Being demanding
“We played well in half an hour of the second half, with a high tempo, with dynamism and finishing well. In the rest of the match we were not efficient, especially in the first half. When we had the game wrapped up we had absurd losses of the ball. We had to suffer until the end, although we were able to counteract it well.”
Suffering at the end of the game
“Las Palmas played a centre-back as a striker in the last few minutes and that’s why we decided to bring on Eric Bailly, to create equality. They got into the game thanks to an avoidable action by us. It’s clear that we have improved defensively. Las Palmas took shots primarily from outside the area. There was a moment when our opponents overwhelmed us, but it’s obvious that we’re defending better than before. It makes me angry to concede a goal in an avoidable action.”
Winning in Las Palmas after a long time
“21 years later I managed to win in Las Palmas with a team that I manage. Maybe it wasn’t the day we deserved it the most”
Tribute to Kirian in the 20th minute
“The minute of tribute to Kirian I would have preferred not to have to do it. I send him all my support. We know Kirian is a strong guy with character. With his strength and medicine, I hope we can see him recover and play football.”
The objective
“We have to think game by game, knowing that all the opponents are difficult. Every game is a different story. You have to try to give your best. Here we weren’t at our best, although in the second half the team had a very good reaction. We have to try to keep improving.”
