Villarreal head coach Unai Emery analyses the upcoming clash with Getafe (Saturday, 9pm CEST)
Villarreal CF head coach Unai Emery underlined that the team is completely focused on beating Getafe CF at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez (Saturday, 9pm CEST). The historic qualification for the UEFA Champions League is now behind them and the most important thing is getting three more points in LaLiga.
Changes to the team
“We differentiate between each competition and we give moments to each of them, the match between Athletic was between two games, with only three days between each of them, while this is different. A day more in this context is important, now we have four days and that allows us to do something else. It’s true that the Champions League matches wear you out, so we will need to see what the doctors say. Although it won’t be like the Athletic match, there won’t be 11 changes.”
Trying to find the best level of performance
“Following where we were, we now need to forget Liverpool and focus on the LaLiga games. We have a squad to be able to manage both competitions, we’ve tried everything and the results haven’t come. The most important thing is how you execute the game plan, even more so than the players. The idea is to see who is in the best shape and go with them. We need to find the right performance from the opening minute. We need to go into the match strongly. It’s a match where they’re playing for a lot, so they will have the bit between their teeth. They are going to demand a lot from us. LaLiga is the most important competition for us, it’s true that the Champions League helps us with our aims, but if we lose against Liverpool, we’re out, so we can’t forget about the league.”
Playing away
“The public are back, and it’s back to normal, so playing away from home is really tough. That’s what we need to change, but we’re finding it difficult. They’re strong at home, so we’re going to come up against an opposition who will make us suffer a lot. We need to be strong and focused to put in a good performance and be able to win.”
The fight for Europe
“The table is conditioned by the cup, which will determine whether finishing seventh is good enough. We need to do our part and don’t fall short, although even finishing seventh could be tough. To enter in Europe, we now don’t depend on ourselves, but we have to do our part in case the others fail. Against Getafe, we need to get the three points as there aren’t many games left.”
Upcoming games
“Depending on how we perform, we could have an option against Real Sociedad, but if we’re not strong and close to them by that game, we don’t have any chance. That match will be a key moment, there will be a lot up for grabs and by then you’ll know whether finishing seventh is enough to get into Europe.”
Champions League semi-final opponents
“Klopp is clever and a good manager. I met him before in UEFA meetings and after that, I’ve faced him. I played the final with Sevilla and we beat them, but I’ve played him with Arsenal and had some painful defeats. Semi-finals aren’t a gift. I don’t expect him to let me down, this match will be a game with intelligent messages. We’re facing a great team and a great manager who will make it very tough for us.”
