Marcelino advocates being solid at the back and attacking the spaces to trouble FC Barcelona (Saturday, 4.15pm)
Villarreal CF manager Marcelino García Toral spoke to the media to analyse the build-up to the FC Barcelona match, corresponding to Matchday 26 of LALIGA EA Sports, which will be played on Saturday at 4.15pm at the Spotify Camp Nou.
The Asturian coach praised FC Barcelona’s high level and warned of their huge attacking potential: “They are a great team that has won all 12 of the matches they have played at home. On top of that, they average three goals per game. We go into the match excited and eager to break that very favourable streak.”
To win, the Yellow manager explained that the key lies in delivering the highest competitive level and having a bit of luck: “We can only win if we give our maximum and also have that touch of luck you need to beat the big teams. So far this season, we haven’t had it. There have been situations that have not gone our way.”
Along the same lines, the groguet coach recalled that the game plan involves being strong in both boxes and clinical: “If we perform at our best, we will have more than one chance. But that’s not enough. We must be strong in both penalty areas, and in the first match we weren’t. We have to defend very well in our own half and know how to play those fast actions, attacking the space and finishing our moves. We also need to avoid borderline situations or mistakes. It’s a match in which we have a lot to gain and nothing to lose, and that’s how we approach it.”
Additionally, Marcelino praised his team’s performances ahead of facing the Blaugrana: “We have 51 points. That gives us confidence because it’s an extraordinary figure at this stage of the season. You can’t ask for a better statistic to feel confident. We go into the match with excitement, aware that we have 13 matches left and that they are all difficult at this point. This one will be as well, but we want to compete as we have done in recent seasons at Montjuïc.”
Below, you can watch Marcelino García Toral’s pre-match press conference ahead of the game against FC Barcelona:
