Samu Costa, Antonio Sánchez, Mateo Joseph and Jagoba Arrasate reflected on the 2-1 defeat to Villarreal. Find out what the players and the boss had to say below:
Samu Costa:
On the defeat: I definitely think we deserved more. It's a shame to leave with zero points, but the team put in a great effort. I'm very proud of my teammates and the manager, who had a very good game plan, and we're going to stick to it to the end. So, we have to keep working.
On the assessment: I think we played very well overall. During the 90 minutes, we had periods with more possession, more chances, and periods where we played a bit deeper... But the plan didn't work, because we lost. In my opinion, we deserved more, and we should be proud.
On confidence for the next match: We have to look at what we did well, what we can improve, and work hard this week so that we can play a good match at home.
Antonio Sánchez:
On defeat despite good performance: We're disappointed because this is the moment when we need to do this, somewhat in line with the last match. Be aggressive, stay compact; they're an uncomfortable team because that's what the situation demands. I think the team already did it against Getafe, and today we did it in a slightly more difficult situation, away from home, against a completely different opponent. I don't think the team can be faulted for that. We're disappointed because with the effort we put in, we come away empty-handed. We have to try to take the positives, for the team to regain an image that perhaps had been lost, of being united, of everyone having the same idea and correcting our mistakes.
On his role in the match: The manager was very clear with me midweek: he wanted something similar to what we saw, for me to be somewhat aware of Pedraza's runs forward, because they were very dangerous in attack, according to their analysis, and that's where I was assigned. It's a role I'm used to, and I'm happy because I fulfilled the role I was assigned and also happy to have played more minutes.
On confidence ahead of the next match: The situation demands that we be united, all working together, with clear ideas, and I think that was evident today despite not getting any points.
Mateo Joseph:
On the defeat: It hurts a lot because we're a very competitive team. After a tough week of work against a rival like Villarreal, losing there in the final minutes is a huge blow.
On the game plan: We've shown the level we're capable of. We've shown what we can do against teams like Villarreal, who are in fantastic form. Now we have to keep going, take the positives, improve on the negatives, and focus on next week at home. We're strong, and we're going for that match, which we know is very important, with our fans in the stands.
Jagoba Arrasate:
On the defeat: A feeling of disappointment, above all. We had to make a huge effort, and when you don't get the reward, you leave with that feeling of disappointment. I think the team played the game we needed to, and especially in the first half, besides defending well, we attacked and created chances to score another goal. Then, in the second half, we lacked a bit of possession, a bit of attacking threat, and we defended well. But in the end, it's difficult to contain Villarreal for the full 90 minutes. And, on top of that, with the players they brought on in the second half. So we're going home with that feeling of disappointment.
On the game plan: Offensively, it was more or less the same formation as always, but defensively we have to make adjustments because last year they tore us apart with those situations. Especially with their left-back playing as a winger, in this case Pedraza, and them pulling Moleiro inside. In our game plan, we have the focal point up front, plus Gerard drifting slightly to the right, plus Pepe. They pack five players behind our back four, and last year we struggled with that, so Antonio gives us that versatility. That possibility of dropping back with their full-back as well and moving Pablo Maceo a bit more centrally. I think we did well; they were uncomfortable, but it's a shame we couldn't hold on for 90 minutes.
On the next matches: Above all, this should help us continue on this path. I believe that if we keep playing like this, the results will come. You won't always face the same opponents you faced today, but it's true that we're now entering a crucial part of the season. And if the team continues to improve, we'll pick up points, but we can't afford to get complacent because, as I mentioned earlier, we're facing opponents who are theoretically at our level. And that's where we need to seize the opportunity, get points, and keep pushing forward.