Emery: "Playing against Atlético is a huge challenge and the demand is maximum"

"We are talking about playing against the Spanish and European elite; they have had a very forceful preseason, like their start in the League"

MADRID, 20 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Villarreal's coach, Unai Emery, acknowledged that playing against Atlético de Madrid "is a major challenge" and the demand "will be maximum" this Sunday in the second day of LaLiga against the mattress team.

"Tomorrow is a major challenge and the sensations are good. It is very repetitive to talk about the virtues of Atlético and its growth in 12 years, which has been tremendous. We are talking about playing against the Spanish and European elite. The demand is maximum. They have had a very convincing pre-season, like his start in the league", highlighted Emery at the press conference prior to the match.

Along these lines, the 'Submarino' coach praised the good start of Diego Pablo Simeone's team. "They achieved very convincing results in preseason, with a clean sheet. In the same way as in the league against Getafe, it attracts attention. That will be the difficulty that we will have tomorrow, hopefully it will not be a goal game because they are used to conceding very little and score more," he said.

For this reason, the 'groguet' team hopes to be able to control the game and adapt to the game of the rojiblancos. "Especially intermediate players who have great quality, like Nahuel and Carrasco. Also the last part with Joao Felix, who seems to have acquired a leading role and understanding, along with Morata, who is at his best with a lot of goals", he added. the technician.

A challenge between both teams that in the case of Villarreal will try to close the gap against a "superior" Atlético. "They start with the advantage they have over us. We always want to shorten it in matches and qualifying. Let's see how we are able to beat them," said Emery.

For this, the Argentines Juan Foyth and Lo Celso will be available for the confrontation. In the case of the defender, he did not play last Thursday against Croatian Hajduk Split in the Conference League as a precaution. "He has minor discomfort. We gave him rest and he has trained well today, he travels with the team and we will see if he can start," he settled.

However, the European duel can take its toll on a 'Submarine' with a "somewhat fairer" squad due to injuries. "We have some casualties and the departures of some footballers. To cover two players per position we are fair. Playing two games Thursday and Sunday means that someone has to repeat, but the management wants to do it. We also have the quarry that has participated, "he said. .

"If he has made us learn anything, it is to play Europe and the League. It is true that with different results in both competitions. Europe with enrollment and the League rather regular, with seventh place in the last two years," Emery said.