Palma, Feb 17 (EFE).- The Mallorca coach, Javier Aguirre, stated on the eve of this Saturday’s match against Villarreal at the Son Moix stadium that his team must “continue to be strong at home” with the aim of add the points that bring them closer to the great objective of permanence “as soon as possible”.
“At home we feel comfortable with our fans, we are better, more comfortable with that support that we are grateful for, both to those who come to the field and to those who travel outside,” said Aguirre when analyzing the streak of four consecutive victories that his team chains in Palma.
The vermilion team has defeated Atlético de Madrid, Valladolid, Celta and Real Madrid in Son Moix, although their pending task is to stop the bleeding of defeats (five) at home.
“It is true, outside we have failed. It is not easy to beat Madrid and Sevilla (at the Sánchez Pizjuán) in a week. I saw (Sevilla) go over a team (3-0 against PSV in the Europa League) that has been important in football. We must improve, but at home we want to continue giving joy to our fans and add the points that give us peace of mind”, acknowledged the Mexican coach.
Villarreal will visit the island this Saturday, “in a game that will be different from the first round (Mallorca won 0-2)”, predicted Aguirre.
“They were in the process of changing their coach (Quique Setién replaced Unai Emery in October 2022). Adaptation is not so fast or so easy. It’s another team, obviously, they play football well, they’re very vertical and have good individualities. He already found the way to play and the players for that style that his coach wants. It is very good, although it is true that it comes from three defeats, but beating them will be very difficult, ”he admitted.
The “Basque” also referred to the low offensive production of his team (he has scored 16 goals in 20 games) and the scoring drought of the Kosovar Vedat Muriqi.
“I have talked to the players about it. The fault of the low goalscoring production is mine. I choose who plays, and a minimum part of the responsibility lies with the player. Today, for example, we have scored a lot of goals (in training). The goalkeepers got tired taking so many balls from the back of the goal. It’s not that they don’t know, we have quality, but I understand that many factors can influence. And to Muriqui (author of 8 goals this season) I told him last week not to get overwhelmed, although I know that the attacker lives on the goal, ”he emphasized.
Aguirre, finally, refused to refer to the supposed loss of credibility of the competition due to the payments of FC Barcelona to the former vice president of the Referees Committee Enríquez Negreira: “Those who have known me for many years know that I respect referees a lot, that’s why I don’t I make no judgement. I never have and I never will now. I know that it is not qualifying an arbitration but a concrete fact. I’m not going to do it because I already have enough with mine. I have never heard that they talk about me, therefore, I prefer not to express myself”, remarked the Mallorcan coach.