Villarreal Manager, Fran Escribá, was optimistic ahead of the AS Monaco FC match
Villarreal CF Manager, Fran Escribá, was very excited at the press conference ahead of Wednesday’s match against AS Monaco FC, corresponding to the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Play-offs. The Manager recognized that the Yellows have many injuries, but he does not want that to be an excuse: “It’s true that we’ve got injuries, but also great hope. This squad is very good. We have our strengths and we’re going to play to them. We’re facing this challenge with less players available than we’d like, but those that we have are going to fight”.
According to Fran Escribá it will be an even match against the side from Monaco: “I think it’s an even tie, as we are teams of a similar level. To think there is a favourite is wrong and I think that the tie will still be open for the second leg”.
With regard to the latest addition to the team, Escribá praised the Colombian forward Santos Borré: “He’s come in ready because he’s had a great preseason. He knows that he’s here to keep developing, and that Villarreal is a very good team for him”.
Lastly, Fran Escribá emphasized that the team has to face the tie with patience: “We all want to get the best result possible, but we have to keep in mind that there’s a second leg. They won’t want to take too many risks, and neither will we. We can’t make mistakes because we have another match to play in Monaco”.
Bruno: “Together we’ll have a great game”
The other main character at today’s press conference in El Madrigal stadium was Bruno Soriano. The captain of the Submarine assured that he has recovered from his minor injuries and will be able to play against AS Monaco FC: “I couldn’t play in La Coruña due to back problems. Yesterday and today I’ve trained with the team and I’m available for the Manager”.
The centre midfielder from Artana says the coming together of team and fans can overcome AS Monaco FC: “We have always based ourselves on being strong at our stadium. I hope the fans come out and support us so that together we can have a great game. We hope to be strong at home”.
To finish, Bruno remembered how difficult it has been to get to this UEFA Champions League Play-off: “We want to make everything good we did last year count now, and enjoy a competition like this. I wouldn’t call it pressure, but we all know the responsibility we have. Tomorrow we have an opportunity at our home ground and we want to grasp it with both hands”.
