Areola, a wall in the Yellow goal
Areola, a wall in the Yellow goal

ACF FOTOGRAFÍA

Villarreal is the third team to have conceded the fewest goals in the First Division thanks to him and the team’s defensive work

He came to the club last summer as a loan signing from PSG, but for some time now he has felt at home. The Villarreal goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola, emphasized how comfortable he feels in the Yellow’s squad, where he has fit in perfectly and has become a great base of security for the team between the posts. “This week we got an important point in Barcelona, but we are already thinking about Saturday’s match as it’s really important for us to keep fighting to stay high up in the table. I’m quite satisfied, but I always believe there is room for improvement. Our good run so far is the result of our hard work, as much mine as the collective effort. We can’t forget that the first line of defence is attack and in this team we all work for the benefit of the group. We all defend very well and because of this we don’t concede many goals”.

With Areola between the posts, Villarreal sit in third place of those teams that have conceded the fewest goals in the First Division, letting in only 18 goals in 21 league fixtures. A true life saver. For the Submarine goalkeeper, the challenge now will be to maintain what the team achieved in the first round of league games. “We had a great first half of the season. Now the toughest thing is to stay at the top. We’ve got many points and that’s because of the work we put in every day. We hope to keep going as we are until the end of the season so we can finish in a good position in the table. All matches are difficult. We face tough opponents, but we are going to work hard to try to get the maximum amount of points possible”.    

As for the return of Sergio Asenjo, who has the all clear from the doctor, the French goalkeeper believes his return can only benefit the team. “Sergio is getting back to fitness very well. He feels really good. It is going to be good and healthy competition for everyone. The best thing is that the team is going to be the one that comes out on top”.

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