Unai Emery and Vicente Iborra stress the importance of starting out on the right foot against Sivasspor (Thursday, 9pm)
In this afternoon’s official Europa League press conference Villarreal CF manager, Unai Emery, affirmed that the Yellows are going into their first group game with maximum ambition this Thursday against Sivasspor (9pm CEST, Estadio de la Cerámica): “The first message is to value the Europa League. Our objective is to set out on an exciting journey in this competition. It is a challenge for us to be able to show our potential and that makes us want to do something special.”
With regards to tomorrow’s opponent, Emery warns that it will be a difficult encounter: “Sivasspor is a European side with a solid structure and they have players that can make a difference. They have the quality to play well and for this reason we must be capable of working under pressure and not concede any chances.”
The Yellows boss wants to get the best out of his team and stick to Villarreal’s DNA: “We’ll play our game with our personality, as we have to be better than our opponents. We have to impose our philosophy, as well as finding the defensive balance and be more decisive in attack.”
With respect to new players in the starting lineup for the clash against the Turkish side, the manager said he will be making some changes, although made sure to underline that the quality of the players that will start the game is very high: “The idea is to set up with a matchday squad that will give us maximum performance. There will be changes and less regular players will have their chance. We know that the players will respond well, that’s why we count on each player to fulfil their role.”
Iborra: “The Europa League is special and we have to start well at home”
For his part, Yellows midfielder Vicente Iborra who joined the manager in today’s press conference, assured that he and his team-mates will go all out for the win from the first minute: “We can’t wait to win and I’m sure we’re all going to work together to achieve that. We know where we want to get to. What characterises us in this moment is the excitement and ambition we have to start competing in Europe.”
Lastly, the Yellows No.10 confessed that it will be a special game for him: “I’m going into this game as eager as I was the first day. Last year we didn’t have the fortune of participating in European competition and we missed it. Now, we must give it the value it deserves and, above all, enjoy it.”
