Villarreal coach Marcelino García Toral expects a very demanding clash against Real Betis

Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral expressed his excitement ahead of this Saturday’s important league fixture against Real Betis at La Cartuja (21:00). For the Asturian coach, the green-and-white side are very dangerous and he anticipates a tough match against a direct rival in the race for Champions League places.

The fight for the Champions League

“Last year we had a tremendous battle with them until the final five or six matches. When we went to play there, if they had beaten us they would have gone ahead, but we won and left them shaken. We are facing a very complicated match against a rival with arguments, sharp and precise in the finishing area. If we beat them, it would be another statement win.”

The best first half of a league season in the club’s history

“This team has done things very well and the points tally we have is tremendous, especially considering we still have a game in hand. Our idea is to keep going the same way. We have 16 points away from home and we know we are going to a very difficult stadium, against a very good team led by an outstanding coach. It motivates us to be up there with the most important teams in the league. We have many wins and only one defeat in recent matches, so we want to continue like this.”

Maintaining ambition

“Betis are a very good team, capable of beating anyone, as they have shown in recent seasons. They built a squad to try to fight for the Champions League. If we don’t maintain that ambition, there is only one path: settling for comfort. Humility is decisive to continue this great work. There is still half of the competition to go. We have the ability and, if we avoid injuries and maintain the right mentality, we can sustain our level of play, because maintaining this points total is very difficult. We cannot lower our competitive level.”

Analysis of the opponent

“With Isco they have more possession, especially if he links up with Fornals or Lo Celso. Depending on the players, you can slightly modify things. But under Pellegrini they have a clear identity: keeping the ball, even if sometimes they are more direct. With Antony and Abde they are more vertical. We expect a team that attacks well and counterattacks well; they always cause you problems, which is why it’s important to finish our moves.”

Betis’ recent results

“We have to look at statistics in context. Two of those three defeats were against Real Madrid and Barça. They have drawn more games than us, and we have been able to win more. Those are circumstances, but they are a team that is hard to beat. We have accumulated an incredible number of points. There is a gap, but not in terms of squad quality. We are two fairly evenly matched teams. The fact that we have added so many points may make others seem smaller, but that’s not the case.”

A wish for the Africa Cup of Nations finalists

“We have Ilias and Pape in the final and I congratulate them. I hope it is a wonderful final and that the best team wins.”