Unai Emery praised his side’s focus in a hostile environment
Villarreal CF coach Unai Emery spoke to the media at the post-match press conference following the 2-0 win over Hajduk Split that saw the Submarine qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage.
Assessment of the tie
“We approached the tie with a lot of respect from the start. We conceded certain things there that we corrected today. The team played a very serious game, we were focused and the team was able to show our superiority. On the other hand, I would like to congratulate Hajduk Split because we played against a team with history and present and I would like them to be in European competition because of what they represent.”
Respect for Hajduk Split
“The atmosphere we have experienced today in this stadium was amazing. We really enjoyed the atmosphere here and I would love it if teams like Hajduk Split had the opportunity to play in European competition.”
Conference League demands
“We’re not thinking about the final, we’re thinking about the journey. That’s the message we always convey in the dressing room, because that’s what we have to enjoy. We want to have a good run in Europe. We shouldn’t consider ourselves favourites or put any pressure on ourselves, but rather enjoy the journey and the road to gain certain experiences that will help us in the future.”
Next challenge: Getafe
“The work done during the pre-season is being reflected in the start of LaLiga and in Europe. We have demanding objectives that we want to meet in order to be close to our best performance and against Getafe we have a new opportunity.”
