Santi Cazorla has assured that from today, he will smile once more in order to achieve staying up
Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla has assured this lunchtime that the team will fight until the very end to start in the top flight, despite the blows received in the last three games. “Football is being very cruel to us. The team did enough to get more points, but some times in football, things don’t turn out as you wish. I see a strong team, one that wants to get out of this situation. We have seven cup finals ahead of us and we’re optimistic. We’re capable of achieving our goal,” he commented.
Cazorla missed a penalty in the last minute against Real Betis and has since received continuous support from the world of football. “It’s easy to get past it when you feel the love and support from everyone. We’ve got a lot to play for and we need to look forward. I can’t change what happened with the penalty against Betis, it’s something that happens in football. I was broken, like the rest of the dressing room. We’ve had three tough blows in a week. We’re still alive to stay in the league though. I will get myself up again and take the responsibility I need to take at this club. For all of the people that are suffering for this club. We’ll leave everything on the pitch. Hopefully with help from everyone, we can turn things around,” he added.
The Yellows No.19 confirmed that he now has a smile on his face once more and is feeling optimistic: “From today, I’m smiling again. I’ve moved on and I’m thinking about what’s ahead. We’ve had tough matches against Celta, Barcelona Betis. Small details in so little time can damage you. At the moment we’re in the relegation zone, but I’m sure results will come. Football has to be fairer to us.”
The Asturian magician also wanted to send a message to the fan base, calling for unity in the final stage of the campaign: “Those who think we’re down need to move away. We need people with a clear goal and the more of us like that, the better. We’ve always had the backing from the fans and I’m sure it will stay like that until the very end.”
The next challenge for Villarreal will be to get past Valencia in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals (Thursday, 9pm CEST). “I’m good, keen on getting involved with the matches ahead of us. On Thursday, we face a great rival like Valencia. We’ve changed the chip to get out of the situation we’re in. We’re not going to throw away our participation in any competition. We’re just one round away from a semi-final. Our priority is to stay in the top flight, but we are going to give everything in the Europa League. We’re not going to throw it away, not at all. Playing in a European semi-final is something every footballer dreams of,” he said.
To conclude, Cazorla underlined that Valencia will be a tough adversary: “I know Marcelino very well and I’m sure he will make it an intense game. It will be a tough tie because they also want to go far in this competition.”
To listen to Cazorla’s press conference (in Spanish) in full, just click the video tab.
