The coach says he expects a tight match with few chances at the RCDE Stadium (Thursday, 7pm CEST)

Villarreal head coach, Marcelino García Toral, appeared before the media this Wednesday to analyse the match against RCD Espanyol, corresponding to Matchday 7 of the 2024/25 LALIGA EA Sports season, which will take place this Thursday at 7pm CEST at the RCDE Stadium.

He shared the latest update on the team’s injury situation: “We are the same as against FC Barcelona, except for Yeremy, who had a muscular problem yesterday and is out for this game.”

Marcelino also assured that the team is in good spirits after the drubbing against FC Barcelona. “Nobody likes to lose 1-5 in their own stadium and in front of their own fans. We know we did well, but we also know that we have to improve. It’s good for us to have a game just four days later to identify our mistakes and be able to correct them,” he added.

He also acknowledged that there will be changes to the starting line-up at the RCDE Stadium: ‘We’re going to make certain adjustments depending on how we feel. We want to avoid risks and bearing in mind that we have another game in four days, it’s important to dose things down.”

As for the game and the opposition, Marcelino predicted a difficult clash with few chances: “They are a very physical team, who attack quickly and concede very little. They will demand a very high level of intensity from us. All of this forces us to respond quickly to the game. I’m expecting a fairly tight game, with not many chances, because they don’t concede much either. They are a team in progression, who have increased their level of performance and make it difficult for their opponents.”

As for the defensive aspect, the coach pointed out that the team must continue to work to improve in this area: ‘We will continue to work to improve our defensive numbers. Away from home we have good defensive figures, but we have to try to improve them. To win you also have to score goals, so we will work on both aspects. We know how we have to defend and how we have to attack. After a defeat at home it’s important to have a reaction, and we have to show again that we can compete against anyone and beat anyone.”