Mario Gaspar has refused to speculate on a possible result against Sporting Clube de Portugal
Villarreal right-back Mario Gaspar has underlined that the team will try and get its third win in a row this Thursday to carry on in the UEFA Europa League. Next up is Sporting Clube de Portugal at the Estadio de la Cerámica (6:55pm) after a first-leg 0-1 victory. According to the Yellows No.2, the goal advantage doesn’t mean anything: “We have to go onto the pitch to win. There is only one goal between the two teams and at any moment they can make things difficult for you. We need to try and kill the match as early as possible, because if not, we could suffer until the full-time whistle.”
For Gaspar, Sporting Clube de Portugal are a big side: “They’re one of the most historic sides in Portugal. It will be tough. We were able to win there, but they will also try and score to bring the tie level. We are expecting a very tough game. Sporting Lisbon are playing well this season. We are keen on getting through. Thursday’s win helped us get Sunday’s victory against Sevilla. Putting wins together always helps. We want to get far in the Europa League and hopefully we can hold on to our good result.”
Villarreal go into the clash with their morale high after their last win against Sevilla: “We’re happy because we had got less than what we deserved for a number of matches. We needed that win in the league and we’re even more happy because of how we got the win against a great side. We’re still towards the bottom of the table, but in terms of morale, it will help us. We have to carry on like this to get away from the bottom. It’s the path to follow. If we carry on believing, I believe we will get out of it,” he added.
According to the right-back, the change of system is helping the team. He even reckons he could help the team as a centre-back if necessary: “Getting good results helps us believe in the system more and helps you believe that things will turn out better. The other day, we saw a great Villarreal performance against Sevilla, who are having a brilliant season. You have to value what we did. I have played as centre-back before. I will always try and help the team in whatever position. I am ready for whatever the gaffer needs,” he concluded.
