Solari: “Villarreal is always a very difficult trip”

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari talked to the press ahead of the trip to Villarreal, where his team will play this Thursday.

“We want to put in a serious, committed performance, with lots of energy. It’s a difficult date, but the competition does not stop regardless of the holidays. I’ve been given some statistics and we’ll try to change them. The teams compete on equal terms and we’ll try to play at our best, despite only having a few days to train,” said Solari.

Villarreal have been performing poorly this season but they have a quality roster and a new coach, meaning that every single player will surely try to earn a starting spot now that they have the chance.

“We have to put in a solid performance with a lot of energy. It’s very important that we play with rhythm and that we transform that rhythm into energy and aggressiveness both defensively and in attack. Villarreal will be looking to turn things around. They’ve recently changed their coach and are always a difficult proposition at their place. It’s the same team, but with other characteristics, they’ve changes style and system,” added Solari about the Yellow Submarine.

Real Madrid are currently eight points behind Barcelona in the table but could cut their lead down to five points with a win in Villarreal, given that this match was postponed because of the FIFA Club World Cup.

“Football is competitive and every day you must go out with that desire. Anything can happen in football. You can always talk about the players that a team has or does not have, but the competition is played every week and each game is an opportunity to show that one is prepared to take on everything. Competition is exciting and is open to magic, it’s never closed. Those who compete are not afraid of anything. We’re going in to the league, the cup and the Champions League with a lot of excitement,” concluded Solari.