The Villarreal B head coach has praised Algeciras’ attacking talent (Sunday, 7:30pm CEST)
Villarreal B head coach Miguel Álvarez has appeared in front of the media to analyse the upcoming game against Algeciras CF, corresponding to Matchday 6 of the 2024/25 Primera Federación season, which will take place on Sunday at 7:30pm CEST at the Estadio Municiapl Nuevo Mirador.
Here is what he had to say:
The current state of the team
“Very good. We are very happy. When you work well all week and on top of that you win, it’s all very good.”
The match and the opponent: Algeciras CF
“I know what they are capable of. They are a very intense team at home, they have good wing play and are very strong at set pieces. I expect a very difficult match. Most of the teams have undergone a lot of changes. It’s still early days and we won’t know the potential of each team until more games have gone by. Algeciras are looking to find the best version of themselves. They are happy after beating Intercity.”
Important victory against Recreativo de Huelva
‘We had played against the two B teams and then the match against Recre here, which we knew was going to be a difficult game, we achieved an important victory, in which we gave very little away. So we are happy. These victories give you breathing space. And even more so against a team like Recreativo, who will be stronger as the weeks go by.”
Two teams in good form
“They have the home advantage, which always helps. We think we have a good team, despite being young lads, to be able to compete well away. Especially when players like Ayouba or Valou continue to grow, or when Udom accumulates more training sessions. Then, we will compete better.”
The latest reinforcement: Udom
“He is a boy who has to be allowed to settle in. Now he has a problem, which is the language, which is normal at this stage. He has to adapt to European football. He has tremendous potential. He’s a player who is almost two metres tall, he’s a central defender who plays neatly, easy, simple, with good physical conditions. You have to be patient with everyone, because they have tremendous potential, but you have to give them their time and let them find their place. Football is all about playing together.”
Villarreal B, with more physicality and muscle
“We have a lot of guys with great physicality. We have a lot of potential in terms of condition and on a technical level, some of them as well. They are very big and very strong. But you also have to understand the game, and that’s where they have their challenge. The most beautiful job of a coach is to help players to fulfil their dreams, and that’s where we are so that they can give us the best possible performance as soon as possible.”
Pau Navarro’s first-team debut
“His debut and that of so many other boys gives meaning to something very important. There is a lot of hard work at the training ground and a lot of work from all the coaching staff at the club to develop players and bring them up to the elite. If that didn’t happen, it wouldn’t make sense. Last year we made them play in the second division. It’s clear that it’s not easy for coaches in the top flight to bring in young players. But he’s already knocked down the door. He’s one of the many kids we have who have a promising future, and that gives us a lot of joy. Obviously without his talent he wouldn’t go anywhere, but there’s also a lot of hard work. If I’m not mistaken, he’s been here for ten years and a lot of people have worked with him.”
