The young team stands out for their defensive capacity, while they are still strong in attack
Being well organised in defence and attack is key for all football teams. The base of a good attack always comes from defending as a team and not allowing spaces, which is one of the aims of the Yellows Academy. The coach’s task if to find the balance between the most attacking and defensive players.
One example of this harmony is the Benjamín D (U9 level) side, coached by Héctor Monfort and Borja Rodríguez. The Yellows side play in the Campeonato Benjamín de Castellón de 1º año league, a league where they come up against some of the best teams in the province. Monfort has spoken about his team’s form and trajectory over the first 20 games of the season: “We’re competing in every match. The team is learning the concepts we’re giving them very quickly and in general, we’re very happy with their performance up until now.”
Their numbers are impressive. In 20 games, they’ve scored 104 goals and conceded only 41. A piece of collective work that is reflected in the training sessions they carry out at the Villarreal CF Training Ground. Healthy competition and having a good time are key for the Yellows. Progressing and helping team-mates improve is their aim. “They’re a very competitive group, they always want to win and they always give their all. So their strong point is their wish to keep on improving and growing as footballers and people,” added Monfort.
The relationship between the players started three seasons ago. In their first season as Villarreal players, they forged a great friendship which is still in tact. The atmosphere in the team has helped the players’ improvement be constant and exemplary. They are more than a team, they are a family, and the results confirm it. Their coach underlined the excellent relationship between the players. “They’re a group of which the majority have been together for three years, with a few new incorporations. This means they all get on well and know each other well. It’s an ideal atmosphere within the dressing room. They’re good boys and you can see that on the pitch.”
They have improved as the season has gone on. They knew how to stay strong, despite the ups and downs of a season, and are now fourth in the table. The coaches’ aims are to help the players improve every day and look for collective benefits. That is an aim that looked a long way off a few months ago, and is now seeming closer every day. “We want them to improve as much as they can. It’s clear that there are matches that we can lost and others than we can win, so our final aim is that you see the improvements from the training sessions reflected on the pitch,” concluded the coach.
The Benjamin D is made up of the following components:
Players: Aitor Ortega, Alejandro Sales, Marc Gil, Patrick Stavarache, Guillem Álvarez, Alejandro Font, Ferran Piqueres, Martí Adell, Xavi Álvaro, Rubén Fabregat, Ferran Llorens, Hugo Font, Miquel Batalla, Pau Climent, Hugo Quesada.
Coaches: Borja Rodríguez, Héctor Monfort.
