Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Villarreal Thursday night at 22:05 on Matchday 2 of the Europa League Group Stages. The Yellow & Blue come into the contest after falling to Slavia Prague 1:0 away two weeks ago and will look to pick up their first points of the competition against an opponent that on paper is superior. Head Coach Jordi Cruyff addressed the assembled media ahead of the match:
“I’m not worried about the match. I don’t think football is a sport that you have to worry about. You need to try to enjoy, compete and organize and play the best that you can. Worries are for private lives and not for sport. Big respect for Villarreal and Spanish football as it’s in a very strong competition. Villarreal is one of the top clubs and has had many years of good results in Europe. We have to compete, play our game and see what happens.”
About the new Villarreal coach:
“He has played and worked in Villarreal and he was upgraded. He comes from the system. They play good football, play to win, dominate and hold possession. They think he is very well prepared and I wish him the best.”
Advantage or disadvantage that there is a new coach:
“I don’t think they will suffer at all and the departure of a coach won’t make a difference. They know what to do and for sure the players always feel that with a new coach there are opportunities and new energy.”
Quality of players at Villarreal:
“You can’t compare the two leagues. If they play the best players they are a top level team. They are all fantastic players for sure.”
Play to win against all odds:
“Our mentality is to play to win, create chances and build for behind. There is no question that the opponent is at a higher level and it will be more difficult, but that is what is in our blood.”
Cristian Battocchio also spoke at the press conference:
“It will be a difficult game and they will come to play football to win. But we are ready to fight with them.”
Villarreal’s squad:
“I don’t like to watch the other team, but they are all good and one player won’t be much different than the others.”
Underdog?
“I don’t feel like I am an underdog. If we are playing in the Europa League against them then we should not feel like an underdog at all.”
