Fer Muriel and Andrés Campos are those responsible for taking the Yellows side’s set pieces
One of the main components of any team is set pieces. Taking free-kicks, penalties and corners can be a crucial part of the game. Villarreal are lucky to have a number of varied resources when it comes to moments like this in games. A great example of a team like that are the U19s (Juvenil A), who have a lot of top-class set-piece takers, like Fer Muriel and Andrés Campos.
Muriel and Campos arrived at the Yellows Academy at the U15 age group and they adapted spectacularly in every way possible, something which helped them reach their maximum potential. That’s how Muriel describes it: “I arrived at U15 level, and the adaptation, to my team-mates and to the club, has been perfect. That is because of the great atmosphere the players and coaches make.”
Early on, the coaches were able to detect one of their main qualities, which was taking set pieces. An attribute that they’re been able to use to maximum effect during their four years wearing the Villarreal shirt. Both Muriel and Campos have scored and provided assists from set pieces, but this is something that needs constant work: “Last year, I scored a lot of goals from free kicks and I’m working every day for that to happen this year as well.”
Muriel and Campos aren’t the only impressive set-piece takers for the U19s, who have a number of specialists. That’s why Miguel Ángel Tena’s side are effective and can vary things up each match. Muriel is aware of his team-mates’ qualities: “We tend to be the main set-piece takers, although there are a number of other team-mates who can do so very well, and we need to work hard to improve every day.”
The U19s are one of the most fear-inducing teams in the Yellows Academy, which is confirmed by them being top of their league. Campos is aware of the good run that they are on and the high level of their opposition: “They are very tough opponents who always make things difficult, but we always go into each game as if it were our lost and we need to continue working hard.”
