"We're going to enjoy it and make life difficult for Madrid"

Villarreal coach Marcelino García Toral said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's game at the Bernabéu that his side was aiming to give Real a tough game despite the fixture congestion the Submarine are currently under. Villarreal played Salzburg in the Europa League on Thursday and face Barça for a place in the cup final on Wednesday.

"We're used to playing three games a week luckily. Up to now we have managed to keep a good balance between each competition by approaching every game as though it's a final. We know that it will be a difficult game against one of the best three teams in the world. We're going to go out and enjoy it and try to make life difficult for Real Madrid," the Asturian coach said.

However, Marcelino recognized the difficulty of getting anything out of Madrid's home stadium: "It's not easy to win in the Bernabéu. Whenever a smaller team goes there it's imperative that the opposition don't have their best 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 will aim to play a great game, be extremely competitive and be bold when we have the ball to hurt the opposition."

Of his side's glut of fixtures, Marcelino noted: "We're 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. Thanks to this group of players we are in this situation. I hope we can experience many more weeks of this kind because that will mean we are advancing in all three tournaments."

Marcelino has rotated his side a lot over the past few weeks but said that will not mean his side won't go for it in the Bernabéu. "We will put out a suitable team to try and win in the Bernabéu. I'm not thinking about the line-ups that Barça, Madrid or Atlético might field. I only think about my own team. We look at our squad and do what we think is best for the team. There are 14 matches left in the league and already there are players who have played more minutes than last season. In light of this we plan each game as we see fit for the team."

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1N3u1ra

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