Marcelino: “We want to be the second team that beats Real Madrid this season.”

In today’s first pre-game press conference, Villarreal’s manager Marcelino addressed the media ahead of their penultimate La Liga fixture against Real Madrid. With Villarreal aiming for a Europa Conference League spot and Real Madrid already crowned champions, the stakes are high for the home side. Marcelino shared his thoughts on the upcoming match, highlighting both the challenge and the opportunity it presents for his side.

“We have to win our games and see what the others do. It’s complicated because we play against Real Madrid, who have only lost one game this year. We congratulate them on their great season. It’s difficult, but we’re going to try,” said Marcelino, acknowledging Real Madrid’s strength.

Reflecting on Villarreal’s journey this season, Marcelino expressed a sense of achievement and determination. “It’s almost a fairy tale seeing the circumstances we are in now given where we were in the beginning of January. The level of the players has taken us this far. We only have two more efforts left. The first conditions our performance in the second, and it couldn’t be more attractive: We are playing against Real Madrid. They are not the ideal opponent. They are the champions, but we have to try, and we have won in a stadium that only Madrid has won this season and now we want to look for another record, which is to be the second team that beats Real Madrid this season.”

Marcelino also praised Real Madrid’s resilience and exceptional performance throughout the season. “Real Madrid’s season is brutal. They have had serious injuries. Many difficulties at the beginning of the season with serious injuries to important players in their defensive structure. And despite that, they have kept a clean sheet 20 times. They are the team with the least goals conceded. They are the team who scores the most goals. It shows fantastic work by their players and coaching staff. Their consistency has been incredible.”

Discussing the tactical approach needed to succeed against such a formidable opponent, Marcelino emphasized the importance of both defense and attack. “When you play against a big team, how you defend your area and how you attack the opponent is key,” the Villarreal coach said. “You have to be right on both sides. You have to defend very well like in Girona and attack like we have done lately. We need to hope that Madrid does not have their best day and that depends on us. We must try to minimize them. In a game anything can happen.”