Marcelino has reiterated the importance of maintaining concentration, showing respect and having a winning mentality to get through the tie against Pontevedra CF (Wednesday, 9pm CET)
Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral has appeared before the media in the press room of the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground to talk about the Submarine’s next Copa del Rey match, which will take place this Wednesday at 9pm CET against Pontevedra CF.
Here is what he had to say:
Facing Pontevedra with maximum respect
“We have to go out with the utmost respect for our opponents. It’s obvious that we can be considered favourites even before the start of the game, but the important thing is to demonstrate that status during the match. We want to continue playing in the cup until there is an opponent who eliminates us, but we don’t want to be out so soon. At the same time, we have the utmost respect for Pontevedra, because it’s the beginning of the way to have a better chance of getting through this tie.”
Concentration and a winning mentality
‘”here is always a component of confidence that we must avoid and that influences several circumstances. The most important is the motivation we have for this competition, which is what defines whether we concede or not. If we want to reach a cup final, in a format that has changed, I think it’s worth looking for concentration, activation, respect and a winning mentality to win this game. If we perform at our highest level, then we have a better chance than Pontevedra. But any opponent can beat you in a game. You can be superior to your opponent, but you can’t score. Let’s remember that Pontevedra beat Levante UD 4-1. So you have to be focused, motivated, intense and humble enough to show that theoretical superiority.”
The opposition
“They are an opponent who play very good football. They are a dominant team with the ball, who play very well offensively, who always take the initiative in matches. What’s more, they’re top of the Segunda RFEF. They have won most of their home games, with only one draw and one defeat. They are an attractive, dominant team that will require us to defend and then attack. We can’t think that just because they’re playing in Segunda RFEF they’re going to be an easy opponent.”
Luiz Junior
‘He’s a kid who trains very well and is very respectful, although I think he needs to adapt a little bit. I think it’s very important for a goalkeeper to know the language, because a goalkeeper has to communicate a lot. But I have nothing bad to say about his attitude, work and respect. He’s going to play tomorrow.”
