The coach highlights the importance of the three points against Espanyol
Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, highlighted the enormous importance of the victory achieved at Cornella-El Prat against Espanyol (1-2), that allows the Yellows to keep their aspirations of staying in the upper area of the table. “We came from a totally unjust defeat against Celta where we played better than the opponent. We missed chances to score and allowed scoring chances but in this match we have kept last week’s competitive level and top it with a victory, which of course is very important. It is a stroke of authority that allows us to stay up in the table at this stage of the competition, in which we all have a lot at stake.”
As for the moments of greatest difficulty, the coach explained that Espanyol’s direct football had been a major obstacle in the second half. “I think the Espanyol has played a very direct football style in the second half and we had a hard time winning in that area of the game, sometimes in dispute and others in placement. From there, if Espanyol won the ball they manage to attack quickly because they left four players in attack. We were not strong enough and that has resulted in a goal after two minutes of being close to a 0-3. And we struggled from there.”
Regarding the difference with other teams, such as Valladolid, the manager said that in addition to the difficulties of the field, the performance has been completely different. “I think the match against Valladolid was very uncomfortable throughout. They are both great teams, but their pitches are very different. This is a great field that lets you combine with passes, which allows you to make your game and the Zorrilla stadium felt uncomfortable from the start. We slipped, we had no confidence in what we were doing and that was undermining us, but we must also remember that Valladolid didn’t shoot on goal a single time except for the goal, which was scored on a free kick. What is true is that the way to proceed here and Valladolid have been completely different.”
On the two young players who ran the wings, Nahuel Leiva (17years old) and Moi Gómez (19 years old), who were the protagonists today, the coach explained that the Submarine must remain calm and keep completing stages. “The best two will play. For such young guys it’s very difficult to maintain a certain regularity. If they are giving us good sporadic performances in matches, as was the case today, that we believe can contribute to the team, It will benefit the group. For Nahuel, for example, we must be cautious. He is 17 years old and we will let him continue the growing process. We will help him, and correct him if necessary. He, in turn, puts a lot of effort. Besides talent, he puts a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of effort and is very receptive to information. He has to continue like this and know that he’s young and has much to explore and learn every day. If he helps us like today he will always be welcome.”
