Marcelino stresses that Villarreal will have to perform to their “maximum level” against Athletic Club
Maximum needed. At midday today the Villarreal CF manager, Marcelino García Toral, assured that his team will need to put in a spectacular performance in San Mamés to beat Athletic (Saturday, 20:30 CET): “They knocked us out of the cup because they were better. Athletic are a very good side with a lot of potential. They are going to push us to play our best away match of the season. We know the importance of this match and the strength of our opponent. We are going with enthusiasm to get the victory”.
According to Marcelino, both teams know each other perfectly: “We’re two easily identifiable teams. We both have our strengths and weaknesses. So, our collective aim is very clear. Athletic play a very direct game, are good on the counter attack and very dangerous from set plays. We will have to perform to our maximum level in this match”.
Villarreal is fourth in the table with 44 points, ten more than Athletic. Marcelino believes the Bilbao side are a direct rival: “It is an important match for both teams, although it’s clear that it’s more decisive for them than for us. If we win we would move even further away from a very direct rival and if we draw as well”.
To finish, Marcelino highlighted the importance of continuing to get points in a competition as competitive as the First Division: “It’s harder to get points in the second round of fixtures. Everything has a bit more significance, but the level of play called must always be the same”.
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