Villarreal will make life difficult for Real Madrid, says Marcelino

You think they can at Madrid home? Marcelino has revealed he will set his Villarreal team up to win when they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.

The Yellow Submarine previously picked up an impressive three points in the capital this season when they beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon and they will need to replicate that level of performance if they are to defeat los Blancos.


That is what Marcelino is aiming for, insisting he wants his team to play with confidence in an attempt to stifle Carlo Ancelotti's men on their own turf.

"We will aim to play a great game, to be extremely competitive and be bold when we have the ball to hurt the opposition," Marcelino said in a press conference.

"It's not easy to win in the Bernabeu. Whenever a smaller team goes there it's imperative that the opposition doesn't have a good day at the office. From there, we have to try and make sure that happens by defending well collectively and being on the ball in both areas.

"We know that it will be a tough game against one of the best three teams in the world but we are going to enjoy it. We will go out to try and make life difficult for Real Madrid."
Villarreal progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League at the expense of Red Bull Salzburg on
Thursday and have been drawn against defending champions Sevilla.

They will also take on Barcelona in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie in midweek and the coach admitted he enjoys the challenge of competing for multiple honours and always looks to play his best team.

"We will put out a suitable team to try and win in the Bernabeu," added Marcelino.
"I'm not thinking about the line-ups that Barca, Madrid or Atletico might field. I only think about my own team. We look at our squad and do what we think is best for the team.

"We are happy that we have so many important games. Without doubt, the further you go in a competition the difficulty level rises because all your opponents have a lot to play for, but we welcome that.

"I hope we can experience many more weeks of this kind because that will mean we are advancing in all three tournaments."

Villarreal currently occupy sixth position in La Liga, six points behind fourth-placed Valencia and the final Champions League qualification spot.