{"id":331433,"date":"2025-01-03T11:06:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T10:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/albiol-queremos-pelear-la-cuarta-plaza-hasta-el-final\/"},"modified":"2025-01-07T11:27:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T10:27:48","slug":"albiol-our-aim-is-to-fight-for-fourth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/en\/albiol-our-aim-is-to-fight-for-fourth\/","title":{"rendered":"Albiol: \u201cOur aim is to fight for fourth”"},"content":{"protected":false,"blocks":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d"},{"type":"video","kind":"iframe","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EQlXdKaLnfs?feature=oembed","poster":""}],"structured":{"summary":{"text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain. Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d","headings":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level"}],"buttons":[],"images":[],"counts":{"blocks":8,"headings":1,"texts":6,"buttons":0,"images":0}},"sections":[{"id":"section-1","title":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level","text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain. Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d","headings":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level"}],"texts":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d"}],"buttons":[],"images":[],"widgets":[],"blocks":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d"},{"type":"video","kind":"iframe","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EQlXdKaLnfs?feature=oembed","poster":""}]}],"hero":{"id":"section-1","title":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level","text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain. Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d","headings":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level"}],"texts":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d"}],"buttons":[],"images":[],"widgets":[],"blocks":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d"},{"type":"video","kind":"iframe","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EQlXdKaLnfs?feature=oembed","poster":""}]}},"sections":[{"id":"section-1","title":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level","text":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level Ra\u00fal Albiol appeared before the media this Friday to take stock of the season following the team\u2019s return to training after the Christmas break. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to enjoy our families and disconnect a bit. Although we would have liked to come back earlier because it would have been a sign that we would be alive in the Copa del Rey. It was a disappointment to be eliminated. Now we have to focus on our league objective, which is to get into Europe,\u201d confirmed the Yellows\u2019 captain. Likewise, the Villarreal No.3 has taken stock of a positive 2024 in general terms: \u201cThe team has been good in LALIGA during 2024. Now we need to improve our results at home and concede fewer goals. If we can do that, it will be much easier to be in Europe next year.\u201d As for his wishes for the new year, on an individual level, Ra\u00fal Albiol only asks for health: \u201cThat would be my wish for 2025. I would like to avoid injuries and to be able to enjoy playing football. I know that the rest comes with work and preparation. I just want to have continuity and to be able to play until the end of the season.\u201d Meanwhile, on a collective level, the captain insists on achieving the two aspects to improve: \u201cThere have been times when we have deserved to concede a lot of goals because we conceded a lot of chances. Lately, on the other hand, we\u2019ve been punished a lot by generating very little. We are working to solve this. We want to concede less in the second half of the season and be stronger at home.\u201d Similarly, Ra\u00fal Albiol has a clear objective for this season and that is to be in Europe: \u201cWe want to achieve it and even compete for fourth place until the end. To do that, we have to be very consistent. Away from home, we have achieved it, but we must be stronger at home. Fourth place is very demanding. There is only one place for five or six teams. We want to be there fighting until the end, even though we know that there are teams that are very strong right now, like Athletic Club.\u201d With the recent return to work, Villarreal are already preparing for the next league game against Real Sociedad: \u201cWe know it\u2019s a complicated stadium. Whenever we play there they are always difficult and evenly matched games. But we have time to prepare for it. We\u2019d like to finish the first half of the season with a win. It would help us to get closer to fourth place, which is the first European prize. We want to at least fight for fourth place until the end. For that we need to get good results against direct rivals like Real Sociedad.\u201d Finally, Ra\u00fal Albiol pointed out that he is happy competing and that he would love to be able to prolong his career as a footballer: \u201cI want to play until I\u2019m 45, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to do it. At this age, I\u2019m already going year by year. Now I feel good physically and I\u2019m happy. The important thing is to be healthy and not get injured. I\u2019m working to feel good physically. Today\u2019s football is very demanding. I want to achieve the collective objective of reaching Europe and help the team both on and off the pitch. My only thought is to enjoy every game. I know that time goes by and this is not forever. We\u2019ll see what we\u2019ll do.\u201d","url":"","background_image":"","images":[],"videos":[{"type":"video","kind":"iframe","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EQlXdKaLnfs?feature=oembed","poster":""}],"links":[]}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Villarreal captain asks for health in the new year to continue enjoying football and competing at the highest level","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":331270,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13494],"tags":[9201,16179,9868,8427,13791,14368,13496,9199,13482,5150,4865],"acf":null,"lang":"en","formatted_date":"January 3, 2025","modified_date":"January 7, 2025","permalink":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/en\/albiol-our-aim-is-to-fight-for-fourth\/","reading_time":4,"featured_media_data":{"id":331270,"title":"albiol","caption":"albiol","alt_text":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP.jpg","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-768x432.jpg","width":768,"height":432},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP.jpg","width":788,"height":443},"1536x1536":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-1536x864.jpg","width":1536,"height":864},"2048x2048":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},"tp-image-grid":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-700x700.jpg","width":700,"height":700},"size-bunyad-medium":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},"sportspress-crop-medium":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-300x300.jpg","width":300,"height":300},"sportspress-fit-medium":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-300x169.jpg","width":300,"height":169},"sportspress-fit-icon":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-128x72.jpg","width":128,"height":72},"sportspress-fit-mini":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-32x18.jpg","width":32,"height":18},"bunyad-small":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-150x84.jpg","width":150,"height":84},"bunyad-medium":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-450x253.jpg","width":450,"height":253},"bunyad-full":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-1200x675.jpg","width":1200,"height":675},"bunyad-viewport":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},"bunyad-768":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP-768x432.jpg","width":768,"height":432},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/villarrealcf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RaulAlbiolRDP.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080}}},"author_data":{"id":"25","name":"Javier Ayuso","first_name":"Javier","last_name":"Ayuso","description":"","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fcf8894be45988fcce5bbff0efe1790d2a7f4ba57e2c7c898f5068154e696495?s=96&d=mm&r=g","acf":null},"taxonomies_data":{"category":[{"id":13494,"name":"First Team","slug":"first-team","acf":null}],"post_tag":[{"id":9201,"name":"Football","slug":"football-d34-en","acf":null},{"id":16179,"name":"F\u00fatbol","slug":"futbol-3-en","acf":null},{"id":9868,"name":"Primer Equipo","slug":"primer-equipo-en","acf":null},{"id":8427,"name":"Ra\u00fal Albiol","slug":"raul-albiol","acf":null},{"id":13791,"name":"Rueda de prensa","slug":"rueda-de-prensa-2-en","acf":null},{"id":14368,"name":"Sin categorizar","slug":"sin-categorizar-en-63","acf":null},{"id":13496,"name":"Sin categorizar","slug":"sin-categorizar-en-14","acf":null},{"id":9199,"name":"Soccer","slug":"soccer-d105-en","acf":null},{"id":13482,"name":"Submarine","slug":"submarine-en","acf":null},{"id":5150,"name":"Submarino Amarillo","slug":"submarino-amarillo","acf":null},{"id":4865,"name":"Villarreal CF","slug":"villarreal-cf","acf":null}],"translation_priority":[{"id":734,"name":"Optional","slug":"optional-en","acf":null}]},"seo_full":{"native":{"title":"Albiol: \u201cOur aim is to fight for fourth” - 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