Unai Emery highlighted the importance of the match against Atlético Madrid in today’s press conference after two draws on Matchdays 1 and 2
Villarreal manager Unai Emery appeared in front of the media at midday today in a press conference to preview the match against Atlético Madrid (Sunday 29th August, 10pm CEST) corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 3.
Atlético de Madrid
“Atlético are tremendously consistent when it comes to intensity and being competitive. They’re a team that are always hungry and that’s how they play on the pitch. They’re ready and waiting for us. They have a style that is instilled in them and is very uncomfortable for the opposition. They close off passing lines, close down wide crosses and have a keeper that makes a lot of saves. We have to keep building our team and take a step further. We’re coming into this off the back of two draws that weren’t good enough.”
Rotations
“We want to create that competitiveness being able to use different elevens and changes within that eleven to find a level of performance and a team to play many consecutive games. This hasn’t arrived yet, at the moment we’re playing week to week.”
“The first plan is to put a team together along the lines of what we want and with what the Champions League requires and demands, capable of being competitive and putting Villarreal on the top line of the European football map. European football gives you presence and recognition and the Villarreal brand sits in a significant place.”
Champions League draw
“I look at the fact that Villarreal is in the Champions League for the fourth time in history and how we have achieved it, thanks to winning a title. It excites us and makes us proud. Now fans are going to be able to be in the stadium. All the opponents are very difficult. Obviously, the big club in the group is Manchester United. We’ll meet again and feel the force of those players who are some of the best in the world. Atalanta is a real competitor in Italy with a coach and some players that have a different style. Young Boys are having a great few years and their stadium has the handicap of being artificial grass. We have to enjoy the journey and the six games that we are going to play in this competition.”
LaLiga
“LaLiga is where we have to be competitive to keep achieving those places that give us access to European competitions. The competition has changed and with five substitutions we have more alternatives. We are going to have players that won’t rest because they’re going away woth their national teams.”
Internationals in Conmebol qualifying games
“We have three footballers involved in this situation. I think LaLiga is right. They are our players, we’re delighted to let them play for their countries, but if the calendars change. We’ve already had the recent case of Pau, who is still on holiday after having played two competitions this summer. I respect all the decisions, but we have to meet in the middle by taking the clubs into account.”
