Marcelino’s Insights on Villarreal’s Upcoming Match
Marcelino, the coach of Villarreal, is set to return to competition with his team, aiming to maintain their winning streak. He acknowledges the challenges posed by their upcoming opponent and understands their concerns about the schedule.
Preparation and Team Updates
Marcelino emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present, stating that vacations are in the past, and the team is now concentrated on their upcoming match. He provides updates on the team’s injuries, mentioning that Terrats has a week left to play, while other injured players are not recovering. Yeremy will be absent due to suspension, and Bernat is currently dealing with a fever.
Opponent Analysis
Marcelino praises their opponent, describing them as a team that wants to be at the top, with an irregular start but progressive improvement. He notes that they have kept a clean sheet in 10 out of 18 games and are the second team with the fewest goals scored in the category. Marcelino expects a difficult match, emphasizing the importance of precision in winning.
Three Weeks Without Competing
Marcelino discusses the team’s three-week break from competition, stating that they have tried to train well and generate a solid base for the second part of the championship. He acknowledges the disappointment of not playing in the Cup but is focused on adapting to the situation.
Tactical Approach
Marcelino reveals that the team’s scheme will not change due to casualties, but they will optimize resources in attack. He mentions that Pépé is having a positive evolution, Yeremy will return next week, and Ayoze is close to recovery.
Match Expectations
Marcelino expects a complicated game, where the team must be reliable in defense. He notes that it is difficult to score goals against their opponent, given their defensive statistics. Marcelino emphasizes the importance of a high competitive level and a good defensive performance to make the match even.
Second Round Outlook
Marcelino expresses optimism about the second round, citing the team’s enthusiasm, ability, and ambition. He acknowledges the need to improve defensive numbers and have more luck with injuries to compete for high goals.
Market and Scheduling Concerns
Marcelino comments on the market, stating that the club’s decisions are fine by him, and his attention is focused on the upcoming game. He understands the concerns about the schedule, particularly the fact that two teams playing in the Cup on Thursday will have different matchdays, and empathizes with their frustration.
Etta Eyong’s Profile
Marcelino describes Etta Eyong as a finishing striker, intuitive in the area, and accurate in his definition. He notes that Eyong is powerful in contact and in the duel, particularly in the area.