Vila-real Faces Challenge in Champions League After Disappointing Defeat

The unexpected defeat in Cyprus against Pafos continues to linger in Vila-real’s minds. That night, the team lost many of their chances to advance beyond the group stage, leaving them with little margin for error. Consequently, they will need a remarkable performance, winning nearly all their remaining matches, starting with the always challenging ground of Borussia Dortmund.

Despite the daunting task ahead, the Castellon squad is firmly convinced that they are fully capable of returning from Germany with all three points.

Their positive momentum in the league, having secured 12 consecutive points, has emboldened a team eager to experience their first significant European night of the season. This is reminiscent of the memorable nights they enjoyed in previous Champions League participations, which have proven elusive this campaign.

Captain Gerard Moreno, a key figure in many of the club’s historic continental achievements, has no doubts about the team’s prospects: “We have an ambitious goal. We have four Champions League matches left, and the first is this Tuesday in a beautiful yet challenging stadium. We accept this challenge and are determined to keep climbing the standings and reach the next phase. Our mindset must be to win every match.”

Similarly, experienced player Alfonso Pedraza acknowledges the difficulty of the upcoming match but remains optimistic: “We know what’s at stake on Tuesday, and it will be tough. However, we must give our all and strive to win the match. We believe in our capabilities,” he stated to MARCA.

In the same vein, Santi Comesaña emphasizes ambition when approaching a match they must win: “We have our little final there. We fear no one. We know we have the team to go out and win the game, without a doubt. We must aim for victory. While anything can happen in football, we are confident in our ability to win. We have triumphed in more challenging venues, even though this one is exceptionally difficult in the Champions League.”