Javi Calleja and Santi Cazorla analyse the battle against Rangers
Villarreal coach Javi Calleja explained in the official UEFA Europa League press conference that the Yellows are hungry for a victory and and want to show it in the match against Rangers on Thursday (6.55pm CEST) at the Estadio de la Cerámica. “We want to be winning from the first matchday. We need to make the most of starting the competition at home, so we need to be strong and we can’t let any points escape us. What’s more, we want to win the first game for our fans.”
Regarding Thursday’s opponents, Calleja warned that they’re a tough team to face because of their passion: “Rangers are a team that have a lot in common with Leganes, as they play at a quick pace and they know how to make the most of their strengths. We’ve been working to correct what we didn’t like in Butarque. We know we have to stay concentrated and keep our focus defensively, so that we can hurt them with the ball.”
The Yellow Submarine coach confessed that his dream would be to reach the final, but he recognised that wouldn’t be easy. “Since the first day I took charge of this team, it has been a dream of mine to reach a final and I want it to become a reality. However, we need to go game by game without setting long-term goals, instead working hard and humbly.”
Cazorla: “Returning to European competition is always great, and even more so with Villarreal”
Santi Cazorla also spoke at the press conference alongside his manager, underlining that the team goes into the game in a good place: “I believe that the team has done things well since the start of LaLiga and it’s obvious that everything looks better after a victory. Hopefully we start well in the Europa League, although we’re aware that Rangers are a complicated rival. If we want to win, we need to be passionate.”
The Yellows No.19 confessed that it will be a very special match for him: “My last match in Europe was two years ago in the Champions League. So returning to European competition is great, and even more so with Villarreal. I’ve had great experiences with this club and hopefully we do something great this year. We are aiming for the sky in every competition, but we know it will be difficult.”
