Villarreal CF’s head coach, Marcelino García Toral, along with defender Rafa Marín, addressed the media on Monday ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against AFC Ajax, scheduled for Tuesday at 9pm at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Marcelino emphasized the team’s determination to seek victory in the match, despite their absence from qualification contention. “Our aim is to win, to do it in front of our fans,” he stated. Acknowledging the challenges they faced during their Champions League campaign, he remarked, “We haven’t had the campaign we wanted, but we still have matches left in the best club competition in the world, and we approach them as a gift.”
Even with the reality of not progressing, Marcelino highlighted the importance of maintaining professional integrity and the club’s reputation globally: “We are playing for our professional prestige and the image of the club worldwide. This is a match in the most significant competition. Things haven’t gone our way, but it has been a learning experience. We will go out to win.”
Discussing Ajax, Marcelino praised their quality and attacking strength, noting that the team that defends better will likely come out on top. “Ajax are a great team, playing with joy and bravery, showing significant technical abilities,” he said. He pointed out that Ajax’s strong attacking capabilities contrast with their defensive vulnerabilities, indicating that Villarreal must remain committed defensively and take advantage of counter-attacking opportunities.
With regards to team selection, Marcelino confirmed there would be rotations in the lineup, adhering to a practice observed throughout the season with tight schedules: “We will not play with the same eleven as against Betis. We have little recovery time and must make changes. The competitive level of the squad allows anyone to play at the highest level with pride and ambition.”
Joining the conversation, defender Rafa Marín echoed the sentiments of his coach, stating that the team is focused on winning the match and dedicating the success to their fans. “We want to win the match in front of our fans. They deserve it, just as we do, as we have played well but haven’t had the fortune to secure a win,” Marín said.
As Villarreal prepares to take on Ajax, their determination and commitment to performing well offer fans a reason to stay hopeful, despite the earlier disappointments in the competition. The upcoming match not only serves as a stage for the team’s talent and ambition but also an opportunity to bolster their standing and reputation in European football.