Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral has emphasized the need for his team to perform at their best to secure a positive outcome against RCD Espanyol in their upcoming LALIGA EA Sports showdown on Saturday at 9 p.m. at the RCDE Stadium.
In a press conference held on Friday, Marcelino reflected on the recent defeat to Pafos FC, noting that it serves as a cautionary tale ahead of their league commitments. “The loss in Cyprus was disappointing for everyone. However, that game doesn’t define either Villarreal or our season. It’s important to learn from these experiences without dwelling on them. Our focus is now on the next match. We’re in good form in the league, and our sole aim is to compete well against Espanyol and achieve a positive result,” he stated.
Marcelino acknowledged the challenges posed by Espanyol, recognizing their competitiveness and strong home record. “They are a very good team, having won four of their six home matches. They are disciplined, play quality football, and their results reflect their hard work attacking and defending. We will need to bring our best performance to the field, and we intend to do so with enthusiasm and ambition,” he explained.
With an eye toward maintaining player fitness, Marcelino confirmed that there would be adjustments to the starting lineup. “We plan to make some changes, as we have in previous matches. We don’t distinguish between competitions; recovery time plays a role in our decisions. It’s essential not to rely on the same players for every match, as this wouldn’t benefit the team,” he added.
Lastly, the Villarreal coach praised Espanyol’s strong team identity, asserting that it remains consistent regardless of the personnel on the field. “The coach has instilled a clear identity in the team. They are competitive, effective with and without the ball, and are currently among the league’s most hard-working teams. We’re fully aware of this, and it won’t take us by surprise,” Marcelino concluded.
As Villarreal looks ahead, the team aims to channel their strengths while learning from past mistakes, hoping to foster a positive atmosphere and performance in their pursuit of success.