The Mini Submarine boss wanted to speak about the vice-president in the build-up to the match against FC Andorra (Saturday, 4:15pm CEST)
Villarreal B head coach Miguel Álvarez appeared in front of the media ahead of the match between his side and FC Andorra, corresponding to Matchday 12 of the 2022/23 LaLiga SmartBank season, which will take place tomorrow at 4:15pm CEST, at the Mini Estadi in the newly-named José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground. Herr are the key points of his press conference.
In memory of José Manuel Llaneza
“He was a very important person for the club. I think it is very appropriate to name the training ground after him. On a personal level, I can only be grateful to José Manuel. Firstly, for making me part of this club and secondly, for making me enjoy the best years of my life as a coach, both professionally and personally. It is hard and I would like to send his family all the encouragement in the world. We will continue to work as we are doing to give value to what he has done over all these years.”
Continuing in the same vein at home
“The team is doing well. Undoubtedly, with the work done during the week to correct our weaknesses. The boys have a good attitude and now we are back at home, where we are a very recognisable and strong team. We want to continue in that vein and improve when we play away.”
The opposition
“We’ve been playing each other for two years now. The first year they beat us comfortably and the second year, the game plan was different and we were able to get the six points, also with the luck that exists in football. They are a team that subdue you and are the best in terms of associative play, but in football there are more weapons. We are trying not to lose our idea of associative play, but also counter-attacking if there are possibilities and set pieces. We want to use a lot of resources. It’s very difficult to take the ball away from them, but we’re a team that also knows how to do it.”
Wanting everyone at the Mini
“We need the fans. When we play away, there are 18,000 or 20,000 people. It’s added pressure for the opposition and extra motivation for the players. We need the fans to support us to give continuity to this beautiful project.”
Be a unit
“We are constantly improving. On a football level, we have to adjust. We can’t be the highest-scoring team in the category and the one that concedes the most goals. Even with young players, we have to work better. I’m very happy offensively, but not so much defensively. From our model, we have to improve defensively. We have to work as a unit because defensive work is not just a matter of defenders and goalkeepers. Andorra have 75 or 80% of possession against top opponents in the division.”
