Raúl Albiol underlined the importance of staying focused and matching the opposition’s motivation in the cup knockout tie with CD Tenerife
Villarreal defender Raúl Albiol appeared in a remote press conference after training today to analyse the current situation regarding the Yellows, who visit the Heliodoro Rodríguez López this weekend to face CD Tenerife in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 (Sunday, 6pm CET).
The game against CD Tenerife
“We’re going into the game as a match where there is no margin for error. Winning is the only possible result for us to stay alive in the competition. You can’t allow yourselves to make mistakes or have lapses of concentration. Intensity plays a key part and that’s the path to follow. Big teams have been knocked out and there will be more surprises. Matching the opponents’ motivation and intensity will be key.”
An exciting Copa del Rey
“This Copa del Rey format is really nice and balances things out. It gives chances to the teams that aren’t favourites. It makes the competition a lot more attractive and interesting.”
Going far in every competition
“We have a large squad with good players. We’re all ready for what’s coming. We need all of the players, like we have done until now. We want to go far in every competition. At the moment, we’re managing to do that. In the Copa del Rey, each game is a definitive test and you can’t afford to fail.”
Keeping consistency to dream big
“The fans are excited with the team and that’s something positive. That’s what we’re working for. We would love to be in the Champions League next season. We know that it won’t be easy. There are big teams with the same aim. We are focusing on ourselves, performing well each week and trying to win the next match to stay towards the top of the table. There are a lot of points left to play for and we need to stay consistent.”
Raúl Albiol’s rebirth
“I’m really happy at this club. The motivation for playing football and enjoying every moment I can have until the end of my career. I’ve shown that my return to Spain was to continue competing and showing my best level after a great experience in Italian football, wearing the colours of Napoli.”
