Villarreal Aims for Crucial Victory Against Sevilla in Champions League Race

Villarreal can make a significant impact in the race for Champions League qualification if they secure a favorable result against Sevilla this weekend. Under the leadership of Marcelino, the team is currently in excellent form, and the coach emphasizes the importance of striving to be among the league’s elite to prevent complacency, especially considering their lead over some of their closest rivals in the standings.

Maximum motivation is key: “We must focus on winning. This team has performed extraordinarily well. Our intention is to maintain this momentum as we have accumulated 16 points away from home and we aim to secure another three. We are aware that we are heading to a very challenging stadium to face a strong team and an exceptional coach. What drives us is the desire to see ourselves competing with the top teams in our league, which is no small feat. We need to continue in this manner, with numerous victories and only one loss in our recent matches.”

The challenge of winning: “Winning is very difficult, as we have seen even in the Copa del Rey against lower-tier teams. Real Betis is a formidable side, capable of defeating anyone, as demonstrated in recent seasons. This year, they assembled a squad designed to contend for a Champions League spot. If we do not maintain our ambition, the only option is to become complacent and compromise our outstanding performance. Humility is crucial for sustaining this great work, but it must be consistent. Half of the competition remains for us to demonstrate that our success is not merely a phase. We have the capability, and as long as we avoid injuries and keep the right mindset, we can maintain our high level of play, as scoring points is very challenging. Our losses and draws have been minimal, while our victories are significant. We cannot lower our competitive standards.”

A more direct Betis: “It depends on the players you have on the field. With Isco, they maintain more possession, especially when combined with Fornals or Lo Celso. Different player types can slightly alter their approach. However, under Pellegrini, they have a clear identity; they like to keep the ball, although they can also be more direct at times. With Antony and Abde, they are more vertical. We expect a team that attacks well, counterattacks effectively, and continuously creates problems. They will compel us to complete our plays, which will demand a lot from us.”

A direct rival during this period: “Last year, we had a fierce battle with them up until the last five or six matches. When we played there, if they had won, they would have surpassed us in the standings, but we won and took a step forward, leaving them slightly shaken. We are anticipating a very tough match against an opponent with both collective and individual strengths. They are precise in the final third. If we win, it will be another significant statement, and we must approach the match with that mindset.”

Improvement of Mikautadze: “This is logical. We underwent a significant revamp of the squad, more than we initially anticipated, but the market necessitated it. He needed to adapt to a different style of play, environment, language, and league… this cannot be achieved overnight. Language plays a crucial role, and he could not communicate with all his teammates. Additionally, as a young player with limited experience, it is normal for his performance to improve as his adaptation progresses. Defensively, we try to minimize the running of a forward; he was running a lot but with little effectiveness. He needs to remain fresh for attacking duties. That is what we demand from him. He is doing well and possesses great qualities; I hope he continues to maintain this level.”

Irregularity of Betis: “I believe we must analyze their statistics in context. Two of their last three defeats were against Madrid and Barcelona. They have drawn more matches than us, whereas we have managed to secure more wins. That is where the difference lies, as there were games they drew but could have won. These are circumstances, but they are a team that is hard to beat. We have accumulated an impressive number of points. There is a scoring difference, but in terms of squad quality, we are quite evenly matched. Our accumulation of points might overshadow other teams, but that is not the case. Real Betis holds significant footballing value.”

Gerard Moreno: “If he is fit for 45 minutes, he is fit to start. He is just another player with options. I am unsure if he can last for 90 minutes, but he is certainly ready to be a starter.”