Marcelino has predicted an evenly matched duel between two teams in good form and that the better team will win (Sunday, 6:30pm CEST)
Villarreal CF head coach, Marcelino García Toral, spoke to the media on Friday to analyse the match against Real Betis, corresponding to Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 LALIGA EA Sports season, which will kick off this Sunday at 6:30pm CEST at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
“It’s an important game. It’s obvious. Real Betis are on a good run. We know that we’re going to play them while they’re at their best, but we’re also on a good run. It’s an attractive and evenly-matched game, in which the side who is more clinical will win,” said the head coach, who doesn’t expect the fatigue of the Conference League to affect the home side ahead of the clash against the Yellow Submarine.
Speaking about Real Betis’ good form, Marcelino highlighted that the Andalusians have found consistency in their results: “They have got people back, they have strengthened in the winter, the recovery of Isco and the emergence of Jesús has given them a lot of performance. They are in a positive dynamic. They are a difficult team to beat and very consistent.”
However, the Yellows’ coach pointed out that the Submarine are also in good form: “We are also in very good form. We showed that against Athletic, but we didn’t have the right touch to win. We are convinced that we have enough arguments to win the game.”
Regardless of the result at the Benito Villamarín, Marcelino stated that the result will not be definitive for the European battle: “For whoever wins, it will be a point in their favour in the fight, but it won’t be definitive. We have to focus only on this game. Then on to the next games. The team with the most continuity of effort and performance will be the one that achieves the best possible qualification. It’s not a question of saying we won and that’s it. It simply gives us something else to continue in the fight.”
