It is not normal for Villarreal to have three coaches before the end of the first round [Setién, Pacheta y el asturiano]. Analyzing the level of the squad, it is surprising, but when the results don’t go well, the same always pays.
Sales worth 111 million (Nico Jackson for 38, Dia for 12, Morlanes for four and Pau for 30 kilos) and a chain of injuries have dynamited the waterline of a great. Is there anyone responsible?
It is difficult to do an analysis when you lose important players, especially those who were sold. It’s true, they haven’t signed much. But it does hurt you to lose important footballers. In the injuries, those on the right wing like Foyth were important [pasó por el quirófano por el hombro] or Yeremy Pino [intervenido de la rodilla]. Morales was also out and Gerard Moreno. With this panorama, the project and its aspirations suffer. But they want to sign and they have high-level players. There is still the entire second round left, they are not dead.
In October at La Cerámica, UD won (1-2) with a penalty from Marc and a blow from Coco. Those from Pimienta arrive depleted and injured after the derby of horror, what pulse do you imagine?
It will be tremendously even, UD surprises and marvels with its personality. He is playing the same as last year in the Second Division and that led to promotion. It is a symptom of maturity. He has the ball and they keep it. It deserves recognition. Aside from the Cup match in Tenerife, they have managed to prevail by controlling the ball and have always competed until the last second in the first round. They dominate from their way of understanding the game and have won the majority of matches. Even in the second half or in the final stretch like against Betis or Celta. On Barça’s night they were alive until the 93rd minute. I expect a fight for possession between UD and Villarreal. They are almost soulmates. I hope things work out for UD and they keep the three points. Although Villarreal is not doing well, they have a fairly powerful eleven.
On Saturday he will wear the Las Palmas scarf.
I’ll wear a yellow one for sure [bromea]. I will broadcast the game for DAZN and it should keep up. I’m from here and Villarreal behaved very well, as they always do. It is a very grateful club, the fans respect you. It goes down well, something similar happens with Las Palmas. After the game, I wish Villarreal the best; always proposes.
7-E, the derby of horror. Be frank, don’t haggle with me. What happened to UD at Heliodoro? What do you think of the eleven?
I was surprised. UD had shown that they won or lost matches based on details. In the end, football gives you or takes away from you. Against Athletic he had his moments. Against Barça, too. We have grown tired of seeing a compact, recognizable team, with defensive solidity but something missing in attack. The numbers are there; we receive little, we score little. When you sit down to watch UD, you already know that the ball handling is exquisite. Other years, you suffered behind. In Tenerife they could have gotten into the game, but there was no way.
Viera will have a team soon, you just have to wait a little. Will tempt many teams
Who has captivated you?
There are several… Mika, of course. But I opt for the people of the house like Coco, Álex, Kirian, Moleiro… In the case of Alberto, I knew that he would push himself up.
What did you think of the end of the soap opera Jonathan Viera?
Viera will always be missed. The UD was in good momentum. We must thank him for everything he did for the club. He returned on several occasions and gave his all. He moved up and kept fighting. One of the best things he has ever been through here.
You play padball with Viera, Vitolo and David González. That quartet is a guarantee of spectacle, millions and pipes.
That’s what we talked about (…) Between David and I we are more than 80 years old; we are for what we are for. I am retired and they are still active. You enjoy it because they have quality and have a competitive gene.
Where will Viera end up?
I’m not asking about professionally, his future will come out and he will have a team. You should wait a bit, a player like that will tempt many.
You coincided with Reina (41 years old) and you are still active…
He always does his best and when it’s his turn, he makes his stops. The best goalkeeper Villarreal has ever had.
Do you want to live off the bench?
I have the three levels of national technician. I take football calmly, little by little and trying to teach young people.
Which player do you identify with from Pimienta’s squad?
I’m not from the court. I was about spaces, the Viera or Moleiro are about playing with the foot and imbalance. I dedicated myself to breaking up the spaces, they are no longer seen. What Vitolo plays more than what Moleiro does.
Viera stayed with UD de Jémez as the best team.
It was an incredible four months, but the injuries came. You saw the training sessions and the Friday games were a show.
Was Riquelme the highest level locker room partner?
Palermo, Forlán and Riquelme. And Senna, Eurocup champion. But yes, Riquelme was crazy.
